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By the Grace of God, Queen of sixteen sovereign nations, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Defender of the Faith, wife to the DoE, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. One’s twitter account has more than 450,000 followers and one’s first book, Gin O’Clock, will be published by Hodder and Stoughton on Thursday 27 October 2011 and launched with Bombay Sapphire this Monday. One likes to have a few hundred close friends and foreign Royals over to one’s castle for a quiet weekend, a gin and tonic and a bacon sandwich. God Save One.
Do enjoy one’s weekend guide.
Her Majesty the @Queen_UK
twitter.com/queen_uk
facebook.com/royalginoclock
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JOIN US
Her Majesty The Queen’s Gin O’Clock Book Launch – Bombay Sapphire Blue Room, Vinopolis
Twitter sensation @Queen_UK and Bombay Sapphire cordially invite you to sip gin cocktails for The Queen of Twitter’s Gin O’Clock book launch. A guffaw-inducing take on the Queen’s diary of 2011, the book covers in inimitable style all this year’s newsworthy events – from the two Royal Weddings and phone hacking scandal to the vicars-themed 90th birthday. The result is an affectionate view of life on the throne drawing on all the things we love best about the Queen, including her rumoured proclivity for gin. As the Queen (of Twitter) says: ‘Have decided to publish one’s diaries in October this year. One shall call them ‘Gin O’Clock.’ Well, quite. We have 10 double invitations for the book launch to give away to UJ readers. Just email us to be in with a chance, adding ‘God Save the Queen’ in the subject title.
24 October, 6:30-9pm
Bombay Sapphire Blue Room, Vinopolis,
1 Bank End, SE1 9BU
For more imaginative evening ideas visit www.facebook.com/bombaysapphire
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| FRIDAY |
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The Queen’s
Restaurant Recommendation
Great Queen Street
One should pop down to Great Queen Street in Covent Garden for the best of British food. The DoE and I often sneak out of the Palace for a romantic meal, although the last time one was there, someone commented that one looked just like Helen Mirren. Awkward. There is also a bar downstairs to enjoy a gin. Everything a modern monarch-about-town could ask.
32 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5AA
020 7242 0622
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The Queen’s
Bar Recommendations
Purl
One’s bar-hopping days are behind one. Although the Duchess of Cornwall can often be found sipping a gin martini at Purl. There’s even a piano, at which the Prince of Wales can sometimes be found banging out “We are the Champions”.
Purl, 50/54 Blandford Street, W1U 7HX
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The Queen’s
Event Recommendations
Escape London
Escape London in May for the Royal Windsor Horseshow, 9–13 May in one’s back garden at Windsor Castle. World-class show-jumping, world-class gin. You may even catch a glimpse of your ever-loving and gracious Queen propped up against a fence. 2012 will be extra special as it’s one’s Diamond Jubilee.
Royal Windsor Horseshow,
9th–13th May 2012
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| SATURDAY |
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MUSIC: Nail the Cross
If you’re not familiar with the bands playing at this year’s ultra-hip indie-electro fest, you will be sooner or later. A glance back at previous line-ups shows forward-thinking: bands like new Sub Pop darlings Male Bonding and Veronica Falls, whose debut album came out this week, played back in 2009. This year sees Pariah, D/R/U/G/S, Miracle, Patten and Halls play on Friday and Nite Jewel, Sex Worker, Echo Lake and Doldrums on Saturday, with DJs playing 'til late.
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Fri 21 Oct-Sat 22 Oct, From 9pm Fri, 8pm Sat |
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Shacklewell Arms, 71 Shacklewell Lane, E8 2EB |
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£7 Fri, £8.50 Sat |
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Nail the Cross
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competition
Win a Catalan cooking class and case of Cordoníu cava
Fancy serving up a fresh veg escudella, mackerel with escalivada or fresh crema catalana at your next dinner party? UJ readers have the chance to win tickets to Rachel McCormack’s Catalan Cooking classes, where you can learn the techniques and secrets to cooking traditional and rustic dishes – they’re even throwing in a case of Cordoníu Selección Raventos cava. Email competition@urbanjunkies.com to be in with a chance of winning a ticket for you and three friends. And if you’re not lucky, look out for Codorníu’s very own Barcelona Supper Club next month, which includes cava tasting and a jamón carving class – book here.
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RSVP
Get on the guestlist for the Jameson Apartment
Mondays: they’re not generally the most fun day of the week. But we’ve got a way to make it a little brighter. Just email jameson@synergy-sponsorship.com and let them know you fancy coming to their event on 24 Oct, hosted by Clayton Hartley, where there will be 1920s music and delicious Jameson cocktails designed by mixologist Ed McAvoy from 5.30pm until late (you’ll get one free on arrival.) See: the start of the week doesn’t have to be so bad.
The Jameson Apartment, is open until 27 Oct,
39 Greek Street,
W1D 5DL
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DRINK
Bombay Sapphire Blue Room, Vinopolis
Gin and tonic, gin and juice, gin and ginger beer. Fulfil your gin aspirations and book yourself onto one of Vinopolis’ Gintelligentsia nights with Bombay Sapphire for the ultimate masterclass in gin led by knowledgeable brand ambassador Sam Carter. You’ll learn about the history of the juniper berry-based spirit as well as the 18th century 'Vapour Infusion' technique which makes Bombay Sapphire so unique. You’ll also get the chance to make three of your own gin-based cocktails letting your creative juices flow.
Gintelligentsia Masterclass,
1 & 30 Nov, 6.45-9pm,
Bombay Sapphire Blue Room, Vinopolis,
1 Bank End, SE1 9BU
£65 (includes mezze food platter)
Click here to book.
For more imaginative evening ideas visit www.facebook.com/bombaysapphire
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Recipe
Bombay Sapphire Gin O'Clock cocktail
Ingredients:
50ml Bombay Sapphire
15ml good quality elderflower cordial like Belvoir
(a Bombay Sapphire bottle cap is perfect for measuring this out)
100ml Fever-Tree Ginger Ale (not ginger beer, Camilla)
Method:
Have your butler assemble these finest ingredients and ask him to pour a double measure of Bombay Sapphire and a good splash of elderflower cordial (even during times of austerity, one must never scrimp on the elderflower) into a crystal highball (ideally etched with a Royal Crest) then top with fine ginger ale. Give it a good old stir and finish off with two generously sized lemon wedges gently squeezed into this sublime tipple and a silver straw. Works perfectly in a jug if you've a few hundred people over at the palace. Any time is the perfect time for a Gin O'Clock cocktail. Goodness, it's gone Gin O'Clock.
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| SUNDAY |
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FOOD: Fornata
Soho’s newest Italian offering (still in soft launch mode) combines traditional cooking methods, a rustic atmosphere, and a great long cocktail bar. Go for a breakfast meeting over Eggs Florentine, or linger over a wholesome main in the evening, like Mamma Rosa Roast Beef or Piadine with Crab, Mascarpone and Ricotta. We like their idea of an “aperitivo hour,” too, when you can drop in for cocktails and Antipasti sharing plates, and a bit of la dolce vita.
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8-1am, aperitivo hour from 6-7pm |
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Fornata, 15 Kingly St, W1B 5PS |
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Mains from £6 |
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Fornata |
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RESERVED INTERNATIONAL
This weeks hottest foodie destination
Tickets
What the Ferran did after El Bulli with his brother Albert and the Iglesias family
Parallel 164, 08015 Barcelona
www.ticketsbar.es
Location
Smack dab in the middle of central BCN hipness and not far from Dos Palillos, another restaurant headed by an ex-El Bulli chef. (Every hot restaurant in Barcelona seems to be run by an ex-Adrià alum right now.)
Vibe
This place is sophisticated but unpretentious, and overwhelmingly fun. The clientele were largely Spanish due to booking restrictions (three months in advance is recommended) but once you get a reso, the table is yours for the night, which means you never feel rushed.
Flavours
Where to start? Every dish we tried was amazing – inventive, without being scary – so we had to try everything… until our waiter actually stopped us from ordering more. Highlights included tuna belly with pine nuts and salt, with breadsticks used as a palate cleanser; mini airbags stuffed with Manchego cheese; squid in ink and vinaigrette; tomato tartar with bread crisps; liquid ravioli with Payoyo cheese, and white chocolate and sesame rock for afters.
Décor
We love it here. One part shop, one part deli, one part ‘tickets’ counter complete with red rope and circus-style door man, this was OTT fun, with an ice cream cart, (huge) stuffed hamburger on the counter and funfair style touches. Albert Adrià was sitting at the open-air bar (no stroppy stay-in-the-kitchen chef here) and the very branded Estrella bar actually just melded into the surroundings. Perfect.
Upshot
Although we’re still sad we didn’t get into El Bulli (we even drove there), we’re happy with Tickets; this is as good as dining gets. If you can’t get in, we say try a walk-in or go for a reservation at 41°, the bar next door, which is easier to get into and serves many of the same dishes as Tickets. Book a flight now to Barcelona and then just try to figure it out, it’s that good. |
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| Weekend guide by Her Majesty the @queen_UK, Jess, Addie and Jade. Reserved by Taryn |
(c) 2011 Urban Junkies. All rights reserved.
Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express permission. Urban Junkies is a free daily mailer. All listings and features are editorial: We do not receive any payment from venues, artists or promoters. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information listed but we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.
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