Valentine’s Day, the SW6 way

Cardboard cut-out hearts loom over the ready meal aisle in every supermarket, Paperchase has turned pink overnight, and boyfriends everywhere (well, at least in my flat) are complaining about the 'racket' that is the 14th February set dinner sharing menu, which has replaced the normal selection in all our favourite restaurants.

It can only mean one thing. Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and SW6 is about to be divided into its two traditional camps for this time of year: Smug Couples and Singletons.

If romance makes you run for the hills, the good folk of London’s bubbliest borough have got a wide range of ideas to make sure you spend the day in style.

Single and ready to mingle? Why not try…

Honk it you're horny this Valentine's Day at Honky Tonk

This year join the singles party on 14th February at Honky Tonk Chelsea & Honky Tonk Clapham and Honky If You're Horny!

Each table will have a very special cupids horn on it and when you see a certain someone who catches your eye, give it a good squeeze and let them know that they could be your valentine's this year!

Power ballads and lover's rock at Maggie's 

Maggie's 80s club in Chelsea will be dedicating their decks to Power Ballads and Lover's Rock for Valentine's. The dress code with be appropriately themed 'denim and big hair' and to really get the party started, the first fifty lovers will get a 'love is the drug' shooter on arrival.
Then, in homage to the only calendar eve of the year when 'Smooching Selfies' are 'totes apropes' Maggie's will be running a competition to see who can tweet the best kissagram with the winner receiving a complimentary fishbowl cocktail sharer.

Valentine's Day Toga Party at BungaBunga

This year BungaBunga in Battersea will be harping back to their Roman roots, in celebration of one of history's greatest love affairs, between the infamous Cleopatra and Mark Anthony with a Traditional Toga Valentine's Party.

The dress code will be titillating toga attire, of course and the night will see guest enjoy not just a feast fit for emperors but also an array of amphitheatre worthy entertainment in the form of love song karaoke.

True Speakeasy Style at The Blind Tiger

Having long been fascinated by the 1920s, I was only too glad to welcome the trend for speakeasy style cocktail bars that have been popping up all over town. Although a casual night down the local boozer certainly has its place, sometimes a return to old-world glamour, an emphasis on finely mixed cocktails, an elegant setting and a whiff of the illicit is more than welcome.

So, I was thrilled to hear about The Blind Tiger, a venue that promises ‘illicit dining and forbidden beverages’, and intrigued to see how they would present an intimate and old-world feel in a venue that transforms two nights a week into one of Clapham’s busiest and most raucous drinking holes – Lost Society.

The answer is this: that the devil is in the details. Your whole experience from start to finish is exquisitely crafted to recreate a quietly glamorous, and ever so slightly outside the law, 1920s evening out. On ringing the doorbell, your waiter will pull aside the viewing portal to ensure you come alone, before ushering you through a softly lit courtyard with an outdoor bar. Upon being seated in your candlelit booth, complete with beaded curtain for privacy, you are presented with your ‘prescription’ – prohibition era parlance for cocktail list – to select from some of the most inviting ‘medicinal liquor’ you’re likely to find. As jazz plays softly in the background, and the water tinkles from your glass-cut decanter, the candlelit ambience firmly evokes “the Golden Age of the Cocktail”, and so do the drinks.

We sampled the Jasmine and Elderflower Martini, Chili and Lemongrass Margarita, the Gentleman’s Mojito and the French 75. All were beautifully crafted and presented, using the glassware of the era ( I do love authentic champagne saucers) but special mentions go to the Chili and Lemongrass Margarita which trod the line beautifully between sweet and spicy, and the Gentleman’s Mojito which was wonderfully warming but with a crisp edge.

Having got well into the spirit, we were whisked upstairs to the restaurant area. Amazingly, this very mezzanine hosts the Lost Society dance floor on Friday and Saturday night and the place is absolutely transformed with deep brown leather sofas, crisp white tablecloths, elegant flower arrangements and a dimly lit chandelier. Just as the cocktails were elegantly presented, so our food came carefully arranged and with sophisticated touches. We started with a pigeon breast on potato rosti with quince puree, which was surprisingly delicate for what is in essence game and mash, and came beautifully presented with an edible flower. We also sampled the braised squid with mini-pan friend sea bass which was also very tasty but perhaps not quite as impressive as the pidgeon.

Moving on, we treated ourselves the Chateaubriand which arrived with wonderfully chunky potato wedges and both alioli and peppercorn sauces. The meat was tender, succulent and juicy, and we only wished we’d ordered double rations. Extra portions or not, we arrived at dessert totally stuffed, so elected to share the apple and hazelnut crumble, with cinnamon ice cream. This was rich and perfectly spiced, and managed to raise the game considerably for a dessert most people usually sample along with a Sunday roast.

Unfortunately my camera gave in before I could photograph the main and dessert courses, so you’ll have to imagine them for yourselves, but both looked as good as they tasted.

The Blind Tiger is not the cheapest place to eat and drink, but for the experience I’d say the money was worth it. It outperforms on the cocktails, as befits somewhere focussing on recreating the speakeasy vibe, yet also provides a menu that goes beyond being simply enjoyable and is fairly reasonably priced. I’d definitely recommend checking it out, and will be back with the girls for their delicious sounding Sunday Afternoon Tea too. 

The Blind Tiger

697 Wandsworth Road

Clapham, SW8 3JF

Open Sunday, Tuesday - Thursday evenings

Tiki-time, in SW6

Writing the cocktail column for DV8 magazine is one of the monthly appointments Sarah and I really look forward to, and ahead of their October issue we were excited to check out one of the newest bars on the Fulham scene, Kona Kai.

Kona Kai is a Polynesian themed bar with a fab location just a stones throw from Fulham Broadway station. The attention to detail is great, and as you enter you are struck by an array of wooden tribal masks, colourful ceiling lamps, woven-bamboo chairs and carved cocktail jars. The atmosphere is unashamedly fun, cheeky and unpretentious, plus I'm a sucker for a theme, so ticks all round there! For those of you who have visited Sugar Cane in Clapham Junction, you'll get the picture - Kona Kai is their sister club.

Apart from copious amounts of bamboo, florals and tropical motifs, the point of difference for any self-respecting Tiki bar is the philosophy around drinks. The drinks need to be STRONG! And golly, they really are. Traditionally, Polynesians used a blend of sweet, tropical fruit flavours to mask the taste of their potent bootleg rum. Whilst the alcohol at Kona Kai is of markedly better quality than what would have been available in the tropics a century or so again, the bar has remained true to the Tiki concept. Cocktails are full of sweet, tropical fruit flavours and they definitely pack a punch.

Our favourites of their fruity concoctions were the Lazy Afternoon and the, aptly named, Tiki Death Punch. The Lazy Afternoon contains 42 below Passion Fruit Vodka, Malibu Coconut rum, peach, pineapple and apple which whilst sweet, was definitely refreshing and tasted very tropical. The Tiki Death Punch is made to "James' secret recipe" but what we could tease out of the barman was that this one contains plenty of over-proof rum, grenadine and is topped with a healthy wedge of pineapple. This cocktail tastes good and is guaranteed to indicate the start of a pretty big night out! If those two cocktails haven't injected you with all of your 5 a day (there is after all half a fruit bowl in there) then we can suggest going off-menu and asking barman Vinne for his 'Green Fairy' cocktail. Gin-based, this cocktail fuses grapes, elderflower and lemon in a way which is at once fun and also adds a touch of elegance and glamour to this fun-filled location.

The drinks are also good value, and for those of you looking for a seriously fun, but inexpensive mid-week night out, Kona Kai offers a full complement of deals throughout the week. "Sundown Sundays" offer 2 for 1 cocktails and complementary food with table bookings, whilst "Exotica" Thursdays are an opportunity to drink £3.50 mojitos all day long. Saturday's happy hour is 4-7pm and for those looking to party in a group (this is definitely a good birthday party location), table bookings are free and require no minimum spend.

Whilst Kona Kai is not one of the more sophisticated venues in SW6, that's not what it's trying to be. This place is seriously fun, cheeky and really lives up the theme. We reckon it's perfect for a cheap night out in a large group, and would definitely recommend it for a birthday party. For a full cocktail review and our Barman of the Month feature with Kona Kai's Ben, check out DV8's October issue here

Kona Kai
515 Fulham Road
SW6 1HD.

Not open on Mondays

Steak, glorious steak... and a pretty mean Martini!

If you’re a fan of steak, I can tell you where to go. If you’re a fan of cocktails, I can tell you where to go. If you’re a fan of both... now I can, without a shadow of a doubt, tell you the best place to go.

Last week I visited Sophie’s Steakhouse on the Fulham Road, and it was UH-MAZ-ING! Situated on the stretch of Fulham Road known as ‘The Beach’, Sophie’s has been doing a busy trade for almost a decade and has a pretty substantial following of devotees. With one tweet announcing my intention to visit, I was deluged with suggestions of much loved cocktails, milkshakes and raves about Sophie’s special steak sauce. Feeling a little bit silly for not having visited before (it damages my pride a little to think I’m so late to the party with such a local favourite as this), I decided the only way to do it justice was visit post-haste, and go a little OTT whilst ordering.

Not being able to decide between all those cocktail suggestions, I left myself in the capable hands of my waitress and had her bring two drinks she thought I might like. Well, she must have been a mind-reader because the Kiki’s Mojito (Havana Rum, Raspberries and Pineapple Juice – this time jazzed up with a splash of champagne) and Chili, Passion Fruit and Vanilla Martini she returned with were spot on. I love any cocktails with berries in, and the Kiki’s Mojito walked the line perfectly between sweet and tangy. And next time anyone asks me for a drink’s recommendation, I’ll send them to Sophie’s for that Chili Martini – absolutely divine.

Having glugged down the cocktails (you know when something is just too good to savour?), we ordered a nice bottle of Rioja to help us was down the mains. And the copious amounts of sides. And that milkshake we just had to have at the end. The wine was a Viña Zaco Rioja in case you’re interested, and very nice indeed.

Although you can order hearty classics like fish and chips and Shepherd’s Pie, I felt I couldn’t very well go to a place called Sophie’s Steakhouse and not test out the meat. The boy felt likewise and soon a Fillet Steak and a Rib Eye were on their way to us. But not before we’d gobbled up the salami platter that arrived with our drinks, and a beautiful beef carpaccio that was so tasty we got most of the way through before we remembered to photograph it!

The meat at Sophie’s is not exactly cheap (you can get a minute steak for £12.95 if you’re a bit hard up, but the Chateaubriand costs an eye-watering £49.95 for two), but you can tell they take it seriously. Where most restaurants will simply list the cut on the menu, Sophie’s takes the trouble to describe the texture, level of marbling (that’s fatty bits to you and I) and differences in flavour. We ordered both steaks medium rare, and they arrived beautifully cooked, moist, flavoursome and with an equally delicious side of hand cut fries and béarnaise sauce. The chips also tasted fairly amazing when dipped in Sophie’s special Steak sauce, and extra smoky variant of BBQ sauce – yum yum!

Not wanting those poor steaks to be lonely, we may have gone a little overboard on the sides. Our neighbours’ eyes nearly popped out of their skulls as they saw the lettuce wedge with blue cheese and bacon arrive, followed by onion rings AND macaroni cheese. My absolute favourite had to be the mac ‘n’ cheese. It was extra indulgent, extra cheesy and definitely raised my chances of a heart attack by about ten notches (it would be worth it).

Rounding off, and I’m still not sure how we squeezed it in, we shared one of Sophie’s famous milkshakes. Having been recommended the Oreo one by a reader, I was mildly disappointed to find it was no longer on offer, but any such feelings were quickly dispelled with my first sip of my vanilla and toffee milkshake. De-lic-ious!

Sophie’s is a real all-rounder, and it’s no wonder we found it so busy late on a Sunday evening. The bar has a great vibe (all exposed brick, metal fixtures - loved the low hanging lightbulbs - and blackboards) and some excellent cocktails to match. The steak was really well cooked and in general the menu sticks to a hearty formula and delivers perfectly on it. It's also worth mentioning it that the service was brilliant, and both our waiter and waitress were really warm, welcoming and attentive. The booth we were sat in was pretty darn comfy too! I can’t believe I was so late to discover this one, but I’ll definitely be back again.

Sophie’s Steakhouse

311-313 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QH.

Bookings: 0207 352 0088

A taste of Shanghai... in Parsons Green!

Sarah and I were recently invited by the wonderful DV8 Fulham to visit Mao Tai, New Kings Road, to do a cocktail review for the magazine. Having previously clocked the fabulous sculpted bar, and slightly outrageous yet elegant goose-feathered ceiling lamps, I leapt at the chance to sample a little chinois sophistication. For her part, Sarah (who had already visited) couldn't wait to return.

Close as it is to Parsons Green, with its triangle of hearty British pubs, Mao Tai fills an important gap in the New Kings Road market - that for a beautifully appointed, date-friendly watering hole and restaurant. Refitted 5 years ago to include a beautiful 1940s Shanghai inspired bar, hand sculpted in Bath to include a fusion of European baroque (the candle holders were inspired by tombs in France) and pan-Asian motifs, Mao Tai has been a neighbourhood favourite for the last 30 years. Run by a wonderful local couple, Mark and Pat (it was Pat who designed the sumptuous interior), Mao Tai offers Pan Asian cuisine, both at the restaurant and as small sharing plates at the bar, a beautifully lavish private dining room, and possibly the largest selection of spirits that I have ever seen in a bar of that size!

At the bar, bartender Daniel explained that the emphasis is on bringing back some of that Old World Shanghai glamour, producing clean, classic drinks with a modern twist, using a selection of high quality spirits. For example, we sampled the Aviation cocktail, which was a firm favourite amongst the bohemian arts set (think Hemingway) at the Ritz, Paris in the 1920s. Clean, sharp and elegant, the Aviation takes gin as its base, and is sweetened with lime and maraschino cherries prepared on site. We also tried the sweet, but warming and reassuringly girl-friendly New York Sour, which takes Bourbon as its foundation, topping it up with Claret and maraschino. Continuing the classic cocktail theme we had a Gin 'n' Fizz (light and refreshing - made from Plymouth gin, elderflower and an artfully curled slither of cucumber) and the 'Spritz', which is made of Aperol (a slightly weaker version of Campari) and prosecco, and which is amazingly zingy and energising, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavours.

As mentioned before, Mao Tai stocks a huge range of spirits, many from lesser-known boutique producers. My Lychee Martini was made with gorgeous rose-infused Pinky vodka, and gin-lover Sarah was treated to a tasting session including Brockman's (blackberry infused) gin, UK staple Fifty Pounds Gin and Dry Fly, which is produced in a small Washington distillery.

I love Asian cuisine, so I couldn't wait to get stuck into some of the sharing platters served at the bar. Like the opulent yet elegant surroundings, the dishes were exquisitely presented, and bloody delicious. We tucked into Indian Ocean Tuna Rolls, Mediterranean Seabass Sashimi, Rock Shrimp Tempura, lightly battered chilli Salt n Pepper Squid and Crab and Ginger Vietnamese Rolls. I can honestly say they all totally hit the mark, and for those looking for a great date venue, cocktails and bar snacks at Mao Tai is guaranteed to impress (hint hint boyfriends)! If you're looking for a sophisticated place to catch up with the Ladies, you couldn't pick somewhere better for that either. All round - 5 stars. No wonder this place has been a such a firm local favourite for the past 30 years.

86N5G5467E3T

Feeling some JuJu magic

About a month ago, we received a fun little request from local mag DV8Fulham: visit the Kings Road haunt JuJu, sample a range of cocktails, and interview sexy head barman Christian for their Barman of the Month segment. Having been to Babushka's (way back in the day - I realise JuJu has been there a while!) we had long been intrigued by JuJu, so as you can imagine we didn't really need to be asked twice.

From the outside, JuJu does look a little like your typical Kings Road swanky bar (read: expensive, with a high possibility of being pretentious). Although it is pricey, I would argue that the cocktails are probably worth the money, and there is also a little club downstairs to boot, and they also serve a variety of pan-Asian food so you can make a pretty complete evening of it.

JuJu has a dark, atmospheric interior which is pretty spacious. The cocktail list is extensive, and for the most part very inventive. Christian, the head bartender, received the Outstanding Mixology award at the London Bar and Club Awards 2010, and most of the menu is his own design. He's also more than willing to go off menu and seems to delight in quizzing punters on their favourite tastes and tailoring a new creation to suit. On the day we were there he had been experimenting with Hibiscus and had made his own liqueur - we tried it with champagne and the result was delicately sweet and unusual. I was a fan, although Sarah did find it a little sweet for her tastes. Still - top marks for trying, and Hibiscus certainly makes for a fairly original "home brew" (especially as the closest I've ever got to making my own alcohol is shoving a packet of skittles in a cider bottle aged 14 - the result was fairly revolting!).

Between us, Sarah and I tried the Strawberry Haze (Strawberry puree, Bulldog gin, Strawberry liqueur and Veuve Cliquot champagne) and the Heaven of Earth (jasmine tea mixed with Bulldog gin, and a passion fruit slice, topped with Veuve Cliquot champagne). Whilst the former was definitely one for those with a sweeter tooth, the puree provided a pleasant velvet texture whilst the dryer taste of the champagne went a long way to counteract the sugary strawberry.

The Heaven of Earth was the true success of the night: it was beautifully delicate and aromatic (albeit a bit girly: I defy the rugby lads amongst you to order it without a slight blush!). The passion fruit and underlying tea flavours provided each other's perfect counterpoint and it came served with a beautiful edible flower (told you it was girly). Apparently Christian created it for Magnum ice creams, as part of their latest 'rainforests' campaign - and his skills were not wasted.

As we attended on a Wednesday evening (and the venue was closed to the public for a shoot - more on that later!), we can't really vouch for the atmosphere and general clientele. With the location and price point, it could be that it's frequented by a certain Kings Road "type" (if you know what we mean) but it always seems to be doing a good trade on the weekends, and for these cocktails it's definitely worth the visit.

However, the clientele on the evening we visited were a pretty exciting bunch indeed. As mentioned earlier, the venue was closed to the public that evening for a photo shoot: with the Made in Cheslea cast no less! Sipping champagne cocktails with Francis Boulle certainly added an extra, shall we say, "dimension" to the evening and it was really interesting to chat to the producers and get the behind the screens low-down.

Though we can't promise you'll be rubbing shoulders with Spencer and the gang (whether that's such an attraction or not is debatable anyway!), we can promise you a mean cocktail - and you should certainly go and put Christian to the test and see if he can whip you up your perfect cocktail!

JuJu
316-8 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3 5UH.
http://www.jujulondon.com/

Made in.. The Botanist - Perfect for People Watching.

If you're in the Sloane Square area, and in the market for a mean cocktail, The Botanist has for a long time been your go to place. The bar is always doing a booming trade, as elegantly dressed professionals (for some reason everyone seems to be in a dress or a suit) spill out on to the street sip their Bellinis and Cosmopolitans and watch the (sophisticated) hordes go by. The prime Sloane Square positions makes it popular with bankers and Chelsea socialites (indeed we saw two of the girls from Made in Chelsea dithering outside, having filmed a scene at nearby Tiffany) but there is a vibrant older crowd there enjoying themselves too.

The Botanist treads the line well between elegance and modern sophistication. True to its name, there are stunning bouquets of flowers dotted around and the bar is a grand silver affair. Whilst there is a restaurant area attached, the main reason people come here is for the creative cocktail menu with it's mix of Botanist originals and twists on old favourites.

They weren't cheap (cocktails are £9 upwards) but we were impressed with our Empire Collins and Original Singapore Sling. The barman took the time to mix everything properly, and the garnish was fresh, simple and modern.

There is a lively atmosphere at The Botanist, but due to its popularity and lack of outdoor space (drinkers spill onto small marked areas on the Sloane Square pavement), unless you're there for a quick drink and some serious people watching you'd be wise to arrive early. And if you are there for some people watching... boy have you come to the right place! As well as our Made In Chelsea sighting, the sartorial choices of our fellow drinkers (several in floor length gowns) were definitely worth the trip, as well as a classic "banker moment" in which a Ferrari roared up outside while some model-type tried her best to catch everyone's attention as she got inside. Despite this description, the place feels surprisingly unpretentious. This is probably due to the huge age range of our fellow drinks. On the whole, everyone seemed to be kicking back and unwinding with a good drink in hand - even those in the evening gowns!