Boisdale Telegraph January/February 2011

the battle of rosslyn dinner p2 • haggis & whisky tasting p2 • valentine’s party p3
ISSUE 34
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011
WWW.BOISDALE.CO.UK
Priceless
BURNS SUPREMACY
THE SEQUEL
“Gory Feast Of Rampant Members” Times Out Magazine ••• “A complex and
delicious haggis conspiracy” Views of the World ••• “Stabbing In Broad Daylight In Most
Suspicious Manner – A Superb Thriller!” Art Today ••• “A fantastic sequel for all
adventure-starved, action-crazed hungry audiences”. Escort
BOOK NOW • AT BOISDALE • 3 SCREENINGS PER DAY INCLUDING A MATINEE
JOOLS HOLLAND
Cigar Connoisseurs Bid Over
£300,000 For Rare Cigars
to become boisdale of canary
wharf patron of music
B
oisdale of Canary Wharf is set to become London’s most important live
jazz, blues and soul venue since Ronnie
Scott’s opened in 1952. Nathan Evans Operations Director for the Boisdale Group
of companies stated, “Our aim is to provide world-class live entertainment every
night in a luxurious, warm, welcoming
clubbable ambiance in combination with
an outstanding dining experience. Having
Jools on board as our Patron is really exciting and totally inspiring for the entire
team. With valet parking facilities and being only 16 minutes from Green Park tube
station we envisage all our club members
and regular customers being able to access
our new premises with consummate ease.”
With the ability to seat 250 guests,
one of the most exciting jazz line ups in the
capital and Jools Holland’s guardianship,
In association with
Boisdale of Canary Wharf is set to become not
only the spiritual home to Boisdale jazz, blues
and soul, but also may well be the most talked
about restaurant opening this century.
Jools Holland, a highly accomplished
internationally acclaimed composer, musician and singer was born in London 1958 and
at the age of eight he could already play piano
fluently by ear and at 15 he joined the band
Squeeze, whose many hits included Up The
Junction. In 1987 Jools formed his own band
The Jools Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Since the early
90s Jools has presented Later with Jools Holland…
and his annual Hootenanny shows.
Now in its 35th series and having completed over 250 shows, Later.. has become one
of the iconic top-drawer UK television music
programmes and has assisted many bands to
stardom. Jools has also continued to present
shows on BBC Radio 2.
Jenny Repard Churchill (above) whilst in Havana with the Boisdale Jazz & Cigar Club
in 2004 was given a unique humidor containing 108 specially banded Romeo y Julieta
Churchill Havanas signed by the late Don Alejandro Robaina. At the C.Gars Ltd Vintage Cigar auction on the Cigar Terrace at Boisdale of Belgravia the humidor sold to Mr
Tanaka (left) for £18,000 which was donated to The Prostrate Cancer Charity and Action
Against Hunger. Jenny’s great grandfather Sir Winston Churchill was born on 30 November 1874, 136 years ago to the day of the C.Gars Auction. » cont page 4
the grape escape
CLARET WEEKEND AT THE LAMB
A Free Night at the Lamb With a
Bottle of Château Le Dôme 2003,
St Emilion, Bordeaux
£75
One night stay for two people including
breakfast and a bottle of Château La Dôme
(rrp £120 - £150!) with your dinner.
Prices per room for two people for
one-night stay. Offer is valid until
May 31st 2011 and subject to availability.
Excludes Bank Holidays and Saturdays*.
Terms & conditions apply.
*£30 supplement for Saturday night stays.
Boisdale of Canary Wharf will officially open its doors to the public on Monday 18 April and will be
the most important jazz venue to open in London for decades. Jools Holland will be Patron of Music.
Boisdale of Canary Wharf will be the Boisdale flagship with the greatest whisky bar on the planet (12
metres of solid pewter bar with six shelves: a veritable glowing amber wall of liquid gold!) We will also
have a Cuban cigar shop (largest selection of vintage Cuban cigars in the UK supplied by C.Gars Ltd),
cigar sampling room & cigar terrace as well as the new iconic Boisdale Caviar & Oyster Bar.
Château Le Dôme 2003, St Emilion, Bordeaux “Quintessentially elegant,
surprisingly powerful with an ethereal perfume of blue, red and black fruits
intermixed with notes of violets and spice box. Savoury, expansive, round,
deep, and richly fruity, it is a medium-bodied, long, supple, evolved
St.-Emilion.” 93 Parker Points.
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When the River Ran Red... Supper With Rabbie At Boisdale
Burns Night Celebrations
& Pipers Gallore
The Battle of Rosslyn Dinner
M EM
Thursday 24 February • Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Members: FREE (up to 1 guest); Non Members: £55
Sponsored by Glenkinchie, ‘The Edinburgh Malt’
BERS
FREE
Boisdale of Belgravia
Monday 17 until Tuesday 25; menus from £42
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Friday 21 until Thursday 27; menus from £39.50
The Lamb at Hindon, Wiltshire In association with
Saturday 22 until Saturday 29;
a gourmet 5-course menu - £60
Orkney salmon ceviche, avocado purée,
smoked chilli, soy & mustard cress
•
10oz 36 day aged Aberdeenshire rump steak,
Jersey Royals, wild garlic, roasted shallots,
and snails in a lemon & parsley beurre noisette
•
Selection of British cheeses with fig chutney
T
he Battle of Rosslyn on 24 February
1303 was Scotland’s bloodiest battle
and one of the greatest victories in the Wars
of Independence when eight thousand Scots
led by Sinclair Fraser and Red Comyn defeated 30,000 invading English.
This was a victory against the occupying forces of Edward I of England and although of considerable significance, does
not have the pre-eminence it surely deserves, possibly because it did not involve
particularly large armies; it has been argued
by many that without this victory Bruce
would ultimately not have become King of
an independent Scotland.
An English force under Sir John Segrave was marching north from Northumberland, supposedly towards Linlithgow,
when they were surprised by a contingent of
Scots led by John Comyn and Simon Fraser beside Rosslyn Glen on the outskirts
of Edinburgh. During the confusion, the
English army was divided into three, so that
there were, in effect, three confrontations.
It was an overall victory for the Scots and
it was reported afterwards that the waters of
the River North Esk ran red with English
blood.
This month’s Scottish Battle Dinner is sponsored by ‘The Edinburgh Malt’,
the whisky made by Glenkinchie distillery
located in Pencaitland, only 14 miles from
Edinburgh and the Rosslyn Glen, and one
of only a few surviving Lowland distilleries
still in production.
BE
M EM
RS
FREE
The first Burns supper was held at the bard’s old Alloway cottage in 1801 and for several years
commemorated his July death as well as his January birth. From the beginning, speeches were made to
the poet’s “immortal memory” and haggis featured on the menu as well as sheep’s head. At Boisdale we
have hosted Burns suppers for the last 23 years and this year the obese sausage will be the star of the show
again; join us from 17 January.
A
WHISKIES
Glenkinchie 10 Year Old
Freshly aromatic, grassy, spicy, cinnamon
and ginger.Beautiful balance of sweetness
and dryness.
Glenkinchie 12 Year Old
Apple purée, wet fern and a floral character
(lilac). Some toasty oak below. Good creamy
sweetness. Palate intense and focused with
real lemon tartness to start. Mellows into
clotted cream, tangerine and a crisp oak giving balancing grip.
Glenkinchie 1989 / Distillers Edition
Light, dry with notes of citrus, finished in
Amontillado sherry casks for
an extra burst of rounded flavour.
Members: FREE (may bring up to 1 guest free
of charge); Non Members: £55. Inclusive of
a 3-course menu with a flight of Glenkinchie
malt whisky, exclusive of any other drinks.
traditional feast of food and drink,
Burns Night on 25 January, is a cheerful post-Christmas pick-me-up when Scots
all around the world celebrate the birth of the
greatest Scottish poet Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns.
By nature the Scots are patriotic and many of
them head north for a traditional Burns Supper and wee dram of whisky. This year however, to experience and appreciate the full glory
of this merry celebration you don’t need to
venture up to the Highlands. Boisdale of Belgravia and Boisdale of Bishopsgate, Scotland’s
principalities in London, will be featuring the
legendary piper Pipe-Major Willie Cochrane
and Scottish actor Brett Findlay (Belgravia
only), who will be reciting the Ode to a haggis
in 18th century period costume as well as, not
wanting to spoil the plot, stabbing (murdering!) the Haggis. This year The Lamb at Hindon in Wiltshire also joins the celebrations
commencing on Saturday 22 January.
Boisdale Burns Supper Menus this year
will be featuring the finest Scottish ingredients including, amongst others, Hebridean
salmon and langoustine, mini roast Macsween
haggis, the very best grass fed dry aged Aberdeenshire beef steaks and a noggin of exquisite Talisker whisky.
TALISKER WHISKY
Talisker whisky comes from one of the most
remote distilleries in the world located in a
small coastal community of Carbost on the
Isle of Skye. The distillery sits at the head of
Loch Harport and in the Norese language
(Scandinavian and Gaelic in origin) the name
means “Sloping Rock”.
Talisker is one of the great islands malts
for the enthusiast to savour. Its dark amber
colour hints at the depth soon to be tasted but
even the slightly sweet, smoky, sea-pungent
nose cannot quite prepare you for the sheer
honeyed depth of flavour that awaits on the
first contact with your tongue. This is not so
much a drink as an experience – unquestionably one of the greatest whiskies in the world.
The Ultimate Blind Haggis & Malt Whisky Tasting
Featuring Six Haggis Recipes & Six Exceptional Whiskies • Hosted by ANDY ROSE Executive Head Chef at Boisdale
Members: FREE (may bring one guest free of charge); Non Members: £15 • Friday 21 January • Boisdale of Belgravia
O
n Friday 21 January Members and
their guests will have an opportunity
to vote for their favourite haggis, favourite
whisky, and the best haggis and whisky combination. Voting slips will be collected and
results announced at the end of the tasting.
To book please call Rob on 020 7730 6922
or email: reservations@boisdale.co.uk.
12.30pm start. Limited availability.
Haggis
Andy Rose Excutive Head Chef at Boisdale will preside
over the world’s first Blind Haggis & Whisky Tasting to
discover the UK’s greatest haggis as well as the ultimate
whisky and haggis combination.
Boisdale’s own recipe prepared
by Andy Rose
Crombie’s of Edinburgh
Macsweens
Ramsay of Carluke
Findlay’s of Portobello
Mogerleys of Dumfries
Whisky
Talisker 10 Year Old
Johnnie Walker Black Label
12 Years Old
Glenfiddich 12 Years Old
The Macallan 10 year old
Glenmorangie The Original
10 year old
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
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M EM
BERS
FREE
E
Party On,
Caribbean Style!
Brugal Rum Hits
Belgravia
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
Monday 21 February • Boisdale of Belgravia
Members: FREE (may bring one guest free of charge);
Non Members: £15
scape the snow, sleet and ice and make
your way to sunny tropical Belgravia
and the world’s new exquisite Caribbean
hideaway - Boisdale. For one evening, we
will transport you (no flights required!)
south west to the Dominican Republic to
taste smooth, sensual and delicious Brugal
Rum guaranteed to delight the palate and
banish the winter blues.
Brugal Rum’s textured, seemingly
weightless body delivers long-lasting flavours that include roast coffee, warm toffee, hot cocoa and hints of nutmeg and anise. Created by Don Andres Brugal in 1888,
it is the best-selling rum in the Dominican
Republic (the only rum distilled, matured
and bottled on the island) and is regarded
by the cognoscenti as being among the top
five greatest rums in the world.
Brugal Extra Viejo, Brugal Anejo,
Brugal Gold and Brugal White are worldclass, authentic mouth-watering rums that
are perfect straight, on the rocks or in an
array of cocktails which Members and their
guests will have an opportunity to sample
Valentine’s Day Party with
sponsored by
F
on the night. 6.30pm start . Bookings with
Rob on 020 7730 6922.
Michelin-Starred Chef
JOHN BURTON RACE
cooks with passion on
valentine’s day
lowers, chocolates and cards are the
holy trinity of Valentine’s Day in the
UK with several unique regional customs.
In Norfolk, for instance, a character called
Jack Valentine knocks on the rear door of
houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Whilst in Wales, many people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen on January 25
instead of or as well as Valentine’s Day (the
day commemorates St Dwynwen, the patron
saint of Welsh lovers).
In Russia roses are red, violets are
blue, and flower merchants sell 40 times
as many of them as they do on an ordinary
day, which is double what they sold last
year, and double what they sold the year before that. A decade ago virtually no one in
Moscow had heard of Valentine’s Day but
nowadays “it’s spreading like wild fire”,
said Ms. Zaporozhets, the proprietor of the
Elita-Flora flower delivery service in Moscow. ‘’It’s the Russian mentality. Russians
always want a celebration. And our men are
the most generous in the world.’’
In 2010 in the city of Ekaterinburg
in the Ural Mountains even the Russian
police celebrated Valentine’s Day by presenting women who broke traffic laws
with flowers or perfume instead of tickets. The same year the All-Russian Centre
for Public Opinion, purveyor of sober data
on political allegiances and economic wellbeing, carried out a poll which concluded
that 51 percent of Russians were in love.
It’s no wonder this year for Valentine’s Day Boisdale have joined forces
M EM
£85.00
Feast on John Burton Race for Valentine’s Day at
Boisdale of Belgravia.
T
op Michelin-starred chef John Burton
Race will be bringing his culinary skills
to bear on an exclusive five-course Valentine’s
Day dinner menu at Boisdale of Belgravia.
BERS
FREE
Monday 14 February • Boisdale of Belgravia
Glass of Boisdale’s Premier Cru Champagne
A Tartlet of Leeks and Poached Quail Eggs
with a Truffle Hollandaise
•
A Boudin of Scallops and Crab with a Rich Crab Bisque
•
Sirloin of Beef and a Ravioli of Ox Tail bound with Parmesan
served with a Shallot Cream and a Red Wine Sauce
•
Raspberry and Champagne Jelly topped
with a Lemon Sorbet
•
A Little Chocolate Pot with a Cappuccino Sabayon
For singles and couples alike to celebrate love & life in Moscow style
Monday 14 February • Boisdale of Bishopsgate
John’s passion for cooking will be reflected
in his creations for this special occasion and
promise to deliver a sensory overload.
Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality and love, has guided John in his choice
of ingredients for this year’s dinner which will
feature, amongst others, her favourites – seafood, truffles and dark chocolate.
5-course gourmet menu: £85 at Boisdale
of Belgravia. Bookings on 020 7730 6922.
In 2010 51% of Russians were officially in love.
This fascinating fact, it is suggested, is entirely
due to their inordinate enthusiasm for superbly
smooth and delicate vodka of which Russian
Standard is a supreme example.
DECONSTRUCTING
GLENFIDDICH 15
MONEY CAN’T BUY CASK SAMPLING
Tuesday 18 January • Boisdale of Belgravia
Members: FREE (may bring up to three guests free of charge);
Non Members: £15
Whiskies
GLENFIDDICH 15YO FROM TRADITIONAL CASKS
GLENFIDDICH 15YO FROM TRADITIONAL CASKS AND WITH
VIRGIN AMERICAN OAK “FINISH”
GLENFIDDICH 15YO FROM SHERRY CASKS
GLENFIDDICH 15YO FROM THE SOLERA VAT
GLENFIDDICH 15YO - THE FINAL MALT
John Burton Race
John Burton Race was born in Singapore in
1957 and spent his early years travelling and
experiencing food from all over the world.
In 1983 he became a Sous chef at Les Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, Oxford from where
he went on to become head chef and manager of Le Petit Blanc, Oxford until 1986. He
then opened his own restaurant L’Ortolan,
Berkshire, where he achieved and maintained
two Michelin stars. In 2000 he opened John
Burton Race, Landmark Hotel, London and
reclaimed both Michelin stars within the first
year of trading.
In 2002 John moved to France where
Channel 4 screened the television series
“French Leave” and where he wrote the book
that accompanied the series.
John has taken part in “Through The
Keyhole”, “Great British Menu” and “Britain’s Best Dish” and topped last year by participating in “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out
of Here”. Most recently John can be seen as
a regular guest on ‘Cooking The Books’ for
Channel 5.
with Russia’s most iconic export – Russian Standard Vodka. We will be embracing this special day by hosting “From Russia
with Love” party in celebration of friendship, affection and passion for couples and
singles alike. In a true Russian style vodka
(cocktails) will flow and zakusky (traditional Russian hors d’oeuvres) will sustain your
ability to enjoy the clean ultra-smooth delicious Russian Standard Platinum vodka.
Join us from 6.30pm- 8.30pm. Tickets
Members: £10 (plus 3 guests) Non Members: £30.
O
n Tuesday 18 January, Boisdale Members and their guests are invited to
explore some money can’t buy cask samples
with Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador, Jamie
Milne. Glenfiddich pioneered a unique
solera process to enable the creation of a
wonderfully complex dram, often described
as “Christmas pudding in a glass”. Originally named “Solera Reserve”, Glenfiddich
15 Years Old was first released in 1998 and
has consistently won awards year after year taking IWSC Gold Best in Class once again
in 2010.
This is a perfect opportunity for enthusiasts to gain a deeper understanding of
how different types of casks are used to influence flavours in the creation of an awardwinning single malt whisky and, apart from
the finished Glenfiddich 15yo itself, none of
the samples that will be tasted are normally
available outside of the celebrated Warehouse
#8 at the Glenfiddich Distillery.
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If you wish to be made aware of last minute events and offers, please send your email address to: lilia (reservations@boisdale.co.uk).
Photo Diary
C. GARS LTD
AUCTION
Boisdale of Belgravia • Tuesday 30 November
Continued from page 1
LONDON FINANCIAL NEWS
BANKING AWARDS
THE ULTIMATE GAME DINNER IN AID
OF ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
Boisdale of Belgravia • Monday 29 November
Boisdale of Bishopsgate • Tuesday 30 November
The game feast for 65 guests at Boisdale of Bishopsgate in aid of Action Against
Hunger hosted by BBC’s Nigel Barden raised £26,865 for the charity. The
magnificent food and Nigel’s untiring enthusiasm for the auction’s lots stimulated
the audience to bid with generosity and fortitude. The chefs: Left to right
Neil Churchill (Head Chef Boisdale of Bishopsgate), Valentine Warner (What
to Eat Now), John Burton Race (formerly of the New Angel & L’Ortolan) and
Martin Blunos (Hurst House on the Marsh and Iron Chef) Nigel Barden host
and auctioneer in middle front.
Over sixty of the world’s most dedicated cigar aficionados flocked to Boisdale of
Belgravia on Tuesday 30 November 2010 and bid in total over £300,000 for
176 lots. ‘Our clients flew from San Francisco, Chicago, Portugal, Germany,
Hong Kong and, not least, Japan, to huddle together in arctic conditions on
Boisdale of Belgravia’s Cigar Terrace to smoke and bid for some of the world’s
rarest cigars – some of which are as rare as hen’s teeth,’ said Mitchell Orchant,
managing director, C.Gars Ltd. Mr Tanaka from Japan set a new world auction
record of £1,293 per cigar – for a box of ten very rare Dunhill Selection
no.779 Romeos. Mr Tanaka’s third and most generous bid was for a unique
humidor containing 108 specially banded Romeo y Julieta Churchill Havanas
for £18,000 (see page 1).
JP Morgan was named European investment bank of the year by its peers for the
third year running at the Financial News European Investment Banking Awards
on 29 November, cementing its reputation as the number one firm after a stellar
year across corporate finance and the markets. Klaus Diederichs (top left with
Dan Oakes from Commerzbank) chairman of European investment banking,
collected the award.
Valentine Warner and Martin Blunos plating up the woodcock & anchovy on
toast savoury course.
Photographs by ©Tillmann Pretscher www.pretscher.com
TRUFFLE BRUNCH
Sunday 5 December • Boisdale of Belgravia
After much debate Nigel Barden and Ranald Macdonald finally agree that the
wine is undoubtedly red.
On 27 November 2010 Stanley Ho, a Macau billionaire, paid the top price of
£211,993 for two pieces of a white truffle weighing a total 1.3 kilograms at an
international white-truffle auction held simultaneously in London, Rome and
Macau. One week later, Boisdale gourmets feasted on this rare mushroom in the
company of the auction organiser and truffle guru extraordinaire Bruno Giorgi,
who charmed and excited the ladies at the table with stories about his truffles. The
four-course truffle luncheon was prepared specially for the occasion by Boisdale
of Belgravia Head Chef Colin Wint.
Boisdale Calendar Highlights
Please note all events marked FREE OF CHARGE are strictly RSVP. Numbers are limited. Reservations will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.
January ‘11
17 mon –
29 sat
Boisdale of Belgravia
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
The Lamb at Hindon
Burns Night Celebrations & Pipers Gallore
Boisdale of Belgravia Monday 17 until Tuesday 25; Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Friday 21 until Thursday 27; The Lamb at Hindon, Wiltshire Saturday 22
until Saturday 29; Full details on p2.
14 mon
From Russia With Love
Valentine’s Day Party with
Russian Standard Vodka
Members: £10 (plus 3 guests) Non Members: £30.
6.30pm- 8.30pm
Deconstructing Glenfiddich 15
Money Can’t Buy Cask Sampling
Hosted by Brand Ambassador Jamie Milne
Members: FREE (may bring up to three guests free of charge);
Non Members: £15. 6.30pm start.
14 mon
Valentine’s Day
with Michelin-Starred Chef
John Burton Race
5-course menu £85
21 mon
Party On, Caribbean Style!
Brugal Rum Hits Belgravia
Members: FREE (may bring one guest free of charge);
Non Members: £15. 6.30pm start.
24 thu
The Battle of Rosslyn Dinner
Members: FREE (with guest); Non Members: £55.
7.30pm for 8pm
21 mon
Cigar Seminar
Hosted by Jimmy McGhee of Hunters and Frankau
Members £15; Non Members £25.
6pm start.Details to be confirmed
18 tue
Boisdale of Belgravia
21 fri
Boisdale of Belgravia
24 mon
Boisdale of Belgravia
February ‘11
Boisdale of Belgravia
Cigar Seminar & Scapa 16 year old
single malt Whisky tasting
Members £15; Non Members £25. 6pm start.
Hosted by Jimmy McGhee of Hunters and Frankau
and Phil Huckle of Pernod Racard
The H. Upmann No. 2 is a 6 1/8” (156mm) x 52 ring gauge cigar .
15 Eccleston Street
Belgravia SW1W 9LX
T 020 7730 6922
telegraph-janfeb-FINAL NIL.indd 4
Boisdale of Belgravia
The Ultimate Blind Haggis
& Malt Whisky Tasting
Hosted by Executive Head Chef at Boisdale Andy Rose
Members: FREE (may bring one guest free of charge); Non Members: £15. 12.30pm.
Boisdale of Belgravia
Designed by
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Boisdale of Belgravia
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
www.mwmcreative.co.uk
The Lamb at Hindon
Swedeland Court
202 Bishopsgate EC2M 4NR
T 020 7283 1763
Hindon nr Salisbury
Wiltshire SP3 6DP
T 01747 820 573
Editor and Chief: Ranald Macdonald
Editor: Barbara Widera
Executive Producer: Elvis Presley
Publisher: Boisdale News International Inc
www.boisdale.co.uk
page 4
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