Yesterday Janine & I finally made it to Claridge's for the very belated celebration of her 60th birthday. This was meant to be in early Dec, but I wasn't well on the day. We then bumped it to another date, only for it to clash with an Added Value get together that evening, so we moved it again and this time – bingo – it happened!
And very very lovely it was too! J used to go to Claridge's with her mother, many moons ago, and she hadn't been in over 20 years, plus it was a first ever visit for me. Really impressed with the staff as every single interaction was charming, helpful and really top notch, from the chap in the lobby to the restaurant teams, the reception people (who let us go down and see some of the 5 floors that were dug underneath Claridges a few years ago, including the spa). Even the lady in the loo was delightful..
Excellent first cocktail – a White Lady (gin + cointreau + lemon + sugar) – bloody delicious and one that I shall be introducing into the Hawkes household. Especially if I manage to pick up some smaller gimlet style glasses when J & I head to California in 3 weeks' time! Our 'triangle' glasses are fab for big cocktails but I think some smaller ones might be a good plan too…
I had a prawn starter (hiding under the greenery) – fab – and J went off piste with a beautifully presented steak tartare – those are confit egg yolks, not yellow tomatoes in case you were wondering… One way to stop me nicking much of it, I'm not a huge fan of raw beef..
We both went dover sole for the main course – well, when in Claridge's.. The perfect outing for my new girly top from Tenerife – good job no naked flames nearby as it's definitely a touch flammable..
Topped it all off with a trip to Fortnum's to buy some posh bits for the chap we're (hopefully, unless there are more fires in Malibu) staying with for one night at the end of our California trip. And then brought ourselves firmly back down to earth with a nip in to Uniqlo and Zara for J!
All in all, a very nice special treat and one that we decided we should mirror more often. Where next I wonder?? x