The Regal Rules for Girls (42 page)
“A dry martini,” Bond said. “One. In a deep champagne goblet.” “Oui, monsieur.” “Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?”
—
FROM
C
ASINO
R
OYALE
BY
I
AN
F
LEMING
If you have only one drink per evening, make it a martini. Martinis are ingenious inventions when you think about it. There is simply no other way to down large quantities of neat liquor without looking like a tramp. But pour the fiery concoction into a martini glass? Suddenly drinking straight gin becomes chic and stylish. To the inexperienced palate, it may taste a bit like lighter fluid, but it looks beautiful in the glass and you feel elegant holding it.
It is widely believed that the best martinis in the world are served at London’s Dukes Hotel—a luxuriously discreet building tucked behind Clarence House and St. James’s Palace. It was at Dukes that James Bond author Ian Fleming came to drink and where Bond’s famous preference to have his martini “shaken, not stirred” was born. (Apparently this request is highly unusual, because shaking the ice actually waters down the drink and alters the flavor of the liquor.)
Since the first Bond film in 1962, all of the 007s (including the dashing Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig) have frequented the Dukes Bar.
Her Majesty the Queen has been known to attend private parties at Dukes (she likes it there because it’s near her house), the late
Princess of Wales often came in for tea, and Prince Edward likes to stop by when he’s in the neighborhood. If you want to rub shoulders with royalty, get yourself out of those wet London clothes and into a dry martini.
www.dukeshotel.com/
While a single Dukes martini will last you all night,
4
you can easily make your own.
Here is their world-famous recipe:
The Dukes Classic Martini
- Both the bottles and the glasses should be kept in the freezer.
- Use premium alcohol only: Smirnoff Black vodka and Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, or Greenall’s gin.
- Splash one drop of Martini Bianco (dry) into a frosted martini glass.
- Add two large measures of gin or vodka.
- Cut a 4 centimeter chunk of peel from a lemon. Do not twist it. Instead, snap the peel in half lengthwise, wipe it slowly around the rim of the glass, then slide it into the alcohol. Enjoy.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a lot to eat well in London. Here are some of my favorite cheap and cheerful places that offer good food and a fun atmosphere at very affordable prices.
The Giraffe Café.
Happy, healthy eating. Great salads, burgers, and cheesecake.
www.giraffe.net
Nando’s Chicken.
Portuguese style peri-peri flame-grilled chicken with all the trimmings. Very spicy! Very affordable.
www.nandos.co.uk
Busaba Eathai
. Trendy atmosphere, very affordable, and always delicious. (Try the crab pad Thai and the ginger calamari!)
www.busaba.com
Wagamama Noodle Bars
. Low prices. Fast service. Fantastically flavorful food. (Try the goyza dumplings and the #43 noodles!) When I was a starving student, I went here at least once a week.
www.wagamama.com
The Churchill Arms
. Kensington Church Street, London W8. Wacky atmosphere and extremely affordable. (Try the pad Thai and red duck curry.) Book ahead!
Still, sometimes a girl needs more than a restaurant and wants a
destination
. I hear you. If you want to mix with the cool, the hip, and the hungry, these are my picks for the perfect Girls Night Out:
Ping Pong
. Their motto is “Little steamed parcels of deliciousness,” and they certainly deliver. Ping Pong has the best dim sum around, an extremely buzzy atmosphere, and hugely creative cocktails. Super-cheap and super-delicious! Locations all over London.
www.pingpongdimsum.com
Eight Over Eight
. Asian tapas, sushi, and sashimi washed down with great cocktails. (Try the crispy crab salad and the
frozen berry dessert!) Closest tube: Sloane Square.
www.rickerrestaurants.com/
The Salt Yard.
Spanish tapas and wine to die for! Closest tube: Goodge Street.
www.saltyard.co.uk
Bam-Bou.
Mouthwatering French-Vietnamese food in a higgledy-piggledy Georgian town house. Make sure to have a pre-dinner cocktail in the glamorous top-floor bar! Closest tubes: Tottenham Court Road or Goodge Street.
www.bam-bou.co.uk
The Botanist
. This small, buzzing bar and restaurant right off Sloane Square is literally overflowing with cute boys in tailored suits. An excellent place to wine and dine, while rubbing shoulders with the designer-clad Chelsea set. Thursday nights are the best (and the most rambunctious). Closest tube: Sloane Square.
www.thebotanistonsloanesquare.com/
Anywhere in Lancashire Court.
This is one of London’s hidden gems. Not only do you feel like you’re in a Dickens novel once you step into this secret cobblestone mews, but the bars and restaurants are always hopping and filled with flirtatious Bright Young Things. Thursday and Friday nights are best. Especially during nice weather. Closest tube: Bond Street.
www.lancashirecourt.com
