Thursday 11 November 2021

[Alex Bridgeman]

On the assumption that we are not in lockdown 4 in November, I have just arranged to be in St James's until about 20.30 on Thursday 11th November.

Is anyone expecting to be in town and fancy a late dinner that evening?

[nac]

I'm available. Venue?

[Alex Bridgeman]

I'm available. Venue?

Oxford & Cambridge? I fancy having a look at their wine list. I haven’t been there in a while.

[winesecretary]

Do they still have, as a more civilised version of the happy hour, 'Happy Vintage Port Friday Afternoons' there?

[Alex Bridgeman]

Sadly there are no longer "happy Vintage Port Friday afternoons" but they do usually have a couple of Vintage Ports waiting in the decanter to be consumed. From conversations I've had with the bar staff, they decant five to six bottles most mornings and normally get through them all by the end of the day. Additionally, there is usually LBV, colheita and a white available. Last time I was there (which was pre-lockdown) the colheita was a jeroboam of 1982 Graham Single Harvest tawny.

[jdaw1]

Yes please.

[flash_uk]

Yes please

[Alex Bridgeman]

Sadly there are no longer "happy Vintage Port Friday afternoons" but they do usually have a couple of Vintage Ports waiting in the decanter to be consumed. From conversations I've had with the bar staff, they decant five to six bottles most mornings and normally get through them all by the end of the day. Additionally, there is usually LBV, colheita and a white available. Last time I was there (which was pre-lockdown) the colheita was a jeroboam of 1982 Graham Single Harvest tawny.

I stand corrected. According to the website there are still Vintage Port happy hours on Friday afternoon. However, to take advantage of these one has to charge the cost of a glass of Port to a member’s card. I am not a member so have to pay in cash — and therefore do not benefit from Happy Hour pricing.

[MigSU]

An unhappy hour.

[nac]

Assume this is still happening?

I’m still available.

Suggest drinks at 67 Pall Mall beforehand…

[flash_uk]

Yes please

Oh, my apologies but I now can't make...

[Alex Bridgeman]

It is still happening, although only for three of us.

I’ve not booked at the O&C so if you’d prefer to book us a table at 67, that works for me.

[nac]

I’ll see if I can get a table.

[nac]

It is still happening, although only for three of us.

I’ve not booked at the O&C so if you’d prefer to book us a table at 67, that works for me.

Can't get a table in the main lounge area, but will be able to get a table upstairs.
I'll get there early and grab a table.
Assume this is OK?

[Alex Bridgeman]

That’s fine, unless you’d prefer me to see if I can get a table in the Oxford & Cambridge Club. If you’re not familiar with the wine list there, you might be interested to have a look at it.

[nac]

That’s fine, unless you’d prefer me to see if I can get a table in the Oxford & Cambridge Club. If you’re not familiar with the wine list there, you might be interested to have a look at it.

OK - give O&C a try. We've got a back-up plan if not.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Table booked for 3 people for 20.30

[nac]

Table booked for 3 people for 20.30

Who else is coming?

[Alex Bridgeman]

You, me and Julian

[nac]

You, me and Julian

I'll be at 67 beforehand if anyone wants to come for a drink there first.

[jdaw1]

Are we bringing bottles? Blind or sighted? (I prefer sighted.) Small placemats?

[Alex Bridgeman]

Please do not bring bottles to the O&C. They frown on such a practice and point to the fact that they have a splendid wine list which is very attractively priced.

[Alex Bridgeman]

You, me and Julian

I'll be at 67 beforehand if anyone wants to come for a drink there first.

I shall be just round the corner in St. James’s Street. When I am finished, I will WhatsApp you both and meet you in the O&C.

[jdaw1]

Please do not bring bottles to the O&C. They frown on such a practice and point to the fact that they have a splendid wine list which is very attractively priced.

Noted.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I should also remind you that jacket and tie will be required (unless the dress code has changed over lockdown).

[nac]

I should also remind you that jacket and tie will be required (unless the dress code has changed over lockdown).

That’ll be fun. Can’t remember the last time I wore a tie.

[Alex Bridgeman]

As a thought, rather than meeting for a drink at 67 before dinner, you might like to have a quick visit to the 1857 bar at the St James Hotel. I popped in there last week and had a couple of very delicious glasses of Port.