Tues, Oct 6 Last day in London

A cloudy, warm day.  It didn't rain.

1:00 lunch at 1 star Michelin restaurant by Brian's club near Green Park tube station.  It was a reduced price, UK29 each, through Amazon.  Usual price UK51, I believe.  Some of the  people around us also were there because of this bargain.

 

First up was a choice of 3 breads, with butter.  The orange colored butter has chili in it.  Second up was a tiny appetizer plate courtesy of the chef - no charge.  Didn't get a picture, but it was beautifully presented, and tasted great.  Smoked salmon, fresh dill....

Brian had mussel-carrot soup

I had ravioli, with a type of mushroom I'd never heard of before.  Very good.

Brian's main was skate, a favourite of his

I had partridge..  Could taste the butter.  Very tasty.  Excellent service, friendly.  Fixed menu, one glass of wine included.

Seven Park Place

The ceps was some sort of tiny green grass-like item

The chiboust dessert was lovely - very very light and refreshing

Another dessert served compliments of the house - Brian forced me to eat it all myself!!!!!

Coffee next door at Brian's club.  Mid afternoon everyone was elderly... Are there any younger patrons in this club? 

A small quiet garden by the church. 

A small market behind the church, in the same yard, beside the garden

Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly

 

 

Lots of shops for men

Walked around Mayfair to 5:00 PM when Mr. Fogg's of Mayfair bar opened.  This was Brian's 'Secret Place'.  No marking indicating the club is there.  Bouncer in a suit at the door.  Ring a bell to get in. It's supposed to be similar to the speakeasy of the 1920s, when alcohol was illegal in the US, and illegal bars sprang up.  Mr. Fogg was an eccentric traveler.  Is this a story, or based on a real person?  Not sure. But the bar itself is interesting.  The decor is eclectic:  objects d'art from all over the world covering the walls, hanging from the ceiling. The drink menu is huge.  All cocktails are 'new', made up by the bartenders.  In other words, you can't order a dacquiri or mojito. The cocktails are flavoured according to location in the world.  In parts of Asia, where cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. come from, the drinks use those flavours etc.  Besides cocktails, there are liquors, brandies, wines.... of all prices.

UK12 up for cocktails; 40 yr Glenfiddich scotch UK350; one UK4,500
Music a bit loud, from the musical.
Clientele:  everyone but us was in their 20s/30s.  We're told they're very busy, people make reservations.  Tourists and locals.  Lots of Arabs.

Even the washroom was interesting

Were here almost 2 hours.  I had two drinks, one a cocktail with a raspberry base that was a bit too sweet and fruity for me.  I did not taste any alcohol at all.  UK13.  Switched to a warm grand marnier, which was delicious.  Forget what Brian had.

He has a bad cold, and really would have preferred to have stayed home and rested, but he insisted we go out as planned, bless his soul.  You would never have known he was sick. 

We went home, had a bit of food, and a chat.  I stayed up a bit longer and got these pictures into this blog.  Finished writing this up when I got home.  It was a great day, thanks to Brian.