Friday
I had booked a bar/club for all my friends I have accumulated in my early 20s to kick off the birthday weekend. The night started (and ended) with a skull filled with cocktail and a beer hanging out of it. I did ask for prosecco but apparently this beer/vodka skull thing came with a free hat, my brother couldn’t resist.
Saturday
The next morning was my birthday, Mum had booked Kinky Boots for us. But before I could even think about men doing splits in heels, I was in need of a hair of the dog. We met in Rules for a pre theatre drink. It’s the oldest restaurant in London and so it’s like you have walked into a Downton Abbey scene. It was time to try the Bloody…
The man in a waist coat asked me how spicy I would like it..love when they ask me, manners matter.
Taste: 4/5 thick, deep not watery quite smokey- deliciously high quality.
Sweat test : 3/5 It was hot…but I could have done with more, not sure how lady like that is though.
Cup: 2/5 Something a bit more exciting..perhaps a crystal tumbler…?
Garnish:3/5 this is a hard one- I would love more garnish, but it doesn’t feel right in a place like Rules- it suited just a classic peeled celery.
Presentation : 2/5 like I said it suits the basic bloody but a nicer glass, perhaps olives? It just needs a bit more excitment.
Bonus Point: 1 I did feel like Mary from Downton not from Didcot for 20 minuets of my life.
Overall 15/25 They need to improve their bloody presentation, I would love it to be the place to go for a BM. However it did it’s job and I was now ready for Kinky Boots…
Fabulous and hilarious show, I know it’s very bubble gum theatre but it’s worth seeing men that look and dance better in heels than you ever will.
Sunday
The next day I woke up again feeling a little wooly after a night of gin at the Ham Yard. Today was Lunch with Dad and his BAE. I don’t know what people are complaining about with separated parents, you get two birthdays and…two coincidental matching birthday cards.
This time I was going west- The Hollywood Arms.
Now in contrast to yesterday, it feels like I was stepping into a Made In Chelsea Scene. Groups of pretty, skinny women wearing those funny cat collars, impeccably dressed men having ‘polite pints’ with one another… even the dog bowls looked instagram-able
It was time to try their Bloody Mary…
Taste: 3/5 refreshing but a little watery
Sweat test : 3/5 good but could do with a bit more heat (maybe my heat stamina has just built over time)
Cup: 4.5/5 Never seen something like this before! Awesome ‘copper’ type mug- very SW10
Garnish:4/5 Love the cucumber and celery- fab- a cherry tomato would also look good.
Presentation : 5/5 looked amazing, loved it!
Bonus Point: 1 great guy serving us, plus I had a sausage dog sat near me.
Overall 20.5/25 Looks amazing, a little stronger taste and it would be perfect.
So what’s better Downton or Chelsea? Well Chelsea wins with presentation but Downton for taste..that’s fair.
Can’t leave this blog without a scotch egg shot.
Strawberry cheese birthday cake to finish
Overall, though I have turned 1/4 century, I could certainly say it was the best birthday I have ever had. 25 here I am.
That Bloody Mary 