Nobu Berkeley Street have just introduced a new bar menu of cocktails that have been created specifically to compliment their cuisine. These new cocktails work to enhance the taste of their more delicate dishes, such as the sashimi and have been inspired by the dining menu’s ingredients - none of which you’d find on the average kitchen shelf! They include sake ,a variety of Japanese spirits, Jasmine tea, pickled ginger, Japanese basil and Yuzu syrup.
These new cocktails make sure that you can taste the quality of Nobu Berkeley’s food. The bar staff are trained to recommend drinks suited to your dish that will compliment the intense flavours. Nobu only uses the best Sake available, by trying this into a cocktail before sampling the food itself is a great way to get taste buds at the ready.
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Daum have been at the forefront of pioneering modern glassmaking for 130 years.
Flourishing in the Decorative Arts Movement and Art Nouveau period, The Daum effect still has so much relevance in our modern world. Daum is now developing rapid prototyping methods by means of digital research
Daum Glass was first famous for creating a glass covering for the electric light in 1920, but has come a long way since. Working with artists Salvador Dali, Paloma Picasso and Roland Topor to name but a few, it is only right that Daum has become the latest member of Lalique’s luxury portfolio which also includes artisanal brand Haviland.
Vase Cerisier Bijoux
Daum fuses together ancient glassmaking techniques with contemporary flair to create decorative crystal pieces inspired by shapes, tones and colours found within the natural world.
The skilled Daum craftsmen who honed their skills have produced some of the most historically important glass pieces. The lost wax and the pâte de cristal techniques are just two revolutionary skills founded in 1968 that are still in practice today.
This iconic style is translated through every collection, including the Paradise range which is instantly recognisable with a focus on subtle pastel hues and a nod to birdlife and flowers. The Birds of Paradise (Oiseau de Paradis) vase for example is meticulously sculpted to make it appear as if the exotic birds are in flight and the vase is in movement.
Vase Oiseau de Paradis
Along a similar vein, the delicate flowers on the Deep Green Cherry Blossom Jewel Vase have been painstakingly polished to achieve a sparkling transparency reminiscent of how they would appear in their natural environment.
Glass ornaments have a new marker set.
For more information, visit http://www.daum.fr. The Daum collection will be on display at Lalique’s boutique on Conduit Street Store, London.
As for Lalique, it’s the 150th Anniversary of Rene Lalique’s birth. To mark this important date in the glass design world, Lalique have release some spectacular pieces.
Green Sans Adieu perfume bottle £3990
The Hommage to Rene Lalique collection includes The Sans Adieu perfume bottle. The Homage collection re-examines and reinterprets the original iconic glass creations, a variant of this bottle first seen in 1905.
Red Serpent vase £3,743.10
The masculine Serpent Vase crafted in striking red crystal showcases the skilled craftsmanship of the Lalique artisans.
Lalique and Daum, exciting times!
Posted by Paul Handley on Tue 24th August 2010 at 07:39 AM, Filed in Luxury Drinks
This weekend I was lucky enough to make it to the pub - A nationwide chain known for offering cheap beer and fine guest ales. I chose one delightful guest ale and I had to ask the barman to repeat himself when he said “£1.45 please”.
This is by far the cheapest pint I have had in ages and it got me thinking. If this was the cheapest available, what’s the most expensive?
My title is wrong, but I couldn’t resist the nod to Carlsberg’s advertising slogan. Carlsberg are very good at brewing ale , that’s a fact. The Jacobsen Vintage No.1 is definitely the most expensive beer in the world.
A 375ml bottle will set you back £220. I really enjoyed my £1.45 pint, so I wanted to know what you get for the extra £218.55….
The excellent beer is backed up by original hand stilled lithographic print labels by Danish artist Frans Kannik
First up, Vintage No.1 is very exclusive. You can only get this from three fine Danish restaurants or from the Carlsberg Visitors centre in Valby. This means that you have to visit Denmark in order to purchase a bottle, that’s bumping up travel expenses but I think it might well be worth it!
Now, What about the Beer itself? The Jacobsen Vintage No. 1 is an oak aged barley wine with an ABV on 10.5%...now we’re talking!
The beer is matured for six month in new Swedish barrels (Thorlundskagge – oak from Hjo) and new French barrels (Cote dór barrels – oak from Alsace). This is turning out to be the best European beer.
The beer has flavours of vanilla, smoke, caramel, prunes and port from maturing on Swedish or French Cote dór oak casks. The beer originating from the Swedish oak has a more dominant caramel aroma. With only the best ingredients beer like this can be produced.
Ok, sounds good. For £220, is there anything else that may entice? The actual look of this exclusive beer bottle is excellent. Aesthetics draw back to Danish mythology.
Each bottle of Jacobsen Vintage No. 1 is labelled with an original hand stilled lithographic print made by the Danish artist Frans Kannik. The prints depict fables of Sif. Sif was married to the Nordic god Thor, who was often used by Carl Jacobsen, the son of J.C. Jacobsen, as a symbol of strength.
Below are some of the wise and intriguing words of head brewer, Jens Eiken:
“Vintage No.1 has, as the only contemporary beer, been matured in J.C. Jacobsen’s original crypt-like cellar from 1847, for six months in new Swedish and new French oak barrels. “The project started as a wild idea and a wish to create a new type of beer that had never been seen before. During the ageing process in new barrels, lots of chemical processes take place. Not all reactions are known but they taste wonderful”
This is so good. Elements of this brewing process are not really understood. The only understanding needed here is that the process continues to deliver fine beer, regardless of the chemical processes involved. Typically uncomplicated Danish – I love it!
More from Jens….
“Of course the price attracts attention. We really wanted to challenge the beliefs of what beer can be and we’ve definitely succeeded. Vintage No. 1 is a perfect example of our true passion for beer and high quality standards.”
Visit the Jacobsen Brewhouse at http://www.jacobsenbeer.com or http://www.jacobsenbryg.dk
“Forget the House red or white, bring me the whisky!”
This kind of opening request to the sommelier would normally bring on fear and slight disgust, but not at the excellent Plateau restaurant in Canary Wharf….
The Plateau - Canary Wharf
Allan Picket, head chef, has joined forces with Johnnie Walker to create a unique three course tasting menu that highlights the key expressions in the single malts which combine to create Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Blue Label is Johnnie Walker’s premium single malt. Only 1 in a 1000 barrels make the grade to Blue label. The quality shines through, backed with a smoothness and a strong depth of flavour. The price of Johnie Walker blue label is all too irrelevant once tasted.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Whisky
This whisky orientated tasting menu starts from September. Upon arrival, guests will be guided through the specially crafted seasonal menu. Each course, such as a terrine of ham and parsley with pear chutney or Bitter Valrhona chocolate tart, is paired with a single malt or other expression of Johnnie Walker.
Guests will be introduced to each whisky as it arrives at the table and appreciate its versatility by trying each liquid straight, chilled, iced or with water to understand the complex flavours and varying strength before finally matching it to their own palate and enjoying the food.
To culminate, diners will be presented with a perfect serve of Johnnie Walker Blue Label and they will be able to draw on the knowledge acquired throughout the evening to appreciate the deep and varied flavours present in each sip.
An entertaining and educational evening. A dedicated whisky expert will guide you through each course. For whiskey tasting London can offer no better venue.
Allan Pickett, Head Chef at Plateau: “Few people think of whisky as a drink to accompany dinner, but it can be an incredible match with the right dishes. Our whisky expert will explain how and why I created this special menu, in what promises to be a fascinating evening.”
As I have said, the incredibly reasonable cost of Johnnie Walker blue label (http://www.johnniewalker.com) is irrelevant. The cost of this rather special evening is priceless, but just for you, details are below.
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label exclusive tasting experience will be available from 1 September 2010 in Plateau’s private dining spaces for £95 per head. Reservations must be made in advance (http://www.plateaurestaurant.co.uk)
Katharine Pooley is a very special, driven individual, with an eye for exquisite luxury interior home design.
In fact, she is in serious demand. Her unique style, well suited to the high end market, has completed projects including a London home in Belgravia, beach villa in Phuket, Thailand, a 16th century castle in Scotland and ski-lodge in Colorado.
The 14 strong interior design team Katharine Pooley has assembled is now complimented by her exclusive boutique in London’s Walton Street. This luxury store operates as a showcase for her elegant interiors and home accessories.
Coming away from the Interior Home Decor , It’s the home accessories I want to draw your attention to. High end homewares that really do have the Katharine Pooley stamp.
Zlata Vase in 24 carat gold and glass - £1,125
Just a simply stunning Vase. The gold works its magic here. In a well designed room, this would shine.
Black Chain Frame in silver and shagreen - £170 Quality written all over this frame. A great bold classic.
Cerro Alpaca, alpaca and black goat horn tray - £225 I love it! Quirky (mad, even!) yet at the forefront of modern styling.
As good as it gets. The interior design is masterful and well thought out.
Clearly, so are the home accessories. A little early perhaps, but what fantastic Christmas gifts these would make.
