The Playboy Club, Mayfair
Set in the heart of London`s Mayfair, The Playboy Club is a gleaming example of how a members club should be. The Playboy club offers an eclectic mix of fine dining, world class cocktails, entertainment, a casino and much, much more to make a really vibrant place to visit. Furthermore, everything here is classy, sophisticated and of the highest order – I couldn`t recommend it enough.
Salvatore at Playboy
Salvatore at Playboy is an absolute gem of a cocktail bar. The bar area itself is dark, atmospheric and packed with a sense of history which hails from the restaurants eponymous and world renowned chief cocktail extraordinaire Salvatore Calabrese. Known as The Maestro, Salvatore is deemed to be one of the top (if not the top) cocktail experts around the globe. This bar was hand designed by the man himself, with everything from the décor to the staff being under his scrutiny. The result is a truly relaxing and classy setting for a cocktail any time of the week.
Salvatore is also known for creating the world`s most expensive cocktail, which can be found in this very bar and is still available. Costing a cool £5500, it is known simply as `Salvatore`s Legacy` and uses 1778 Clos de Griffier Vieux Cognac, 1770 Kummel Liqueur, Dubb Orange Curacao circa 1860 and two dashes of Angostura Bitters circa 1900s.
Steering away from the super expensive Salvatore`s Legacy, we sampled the French 75, a cocktail named after a French 75mm field gun used during World War 1 all because of the drink`s infamously strong kick. Salvatore`s balances the gin and champagne perfectly to make a punchy, yet not overwhelming rendition of this classic cocktail. For a slightly fruitier and refreshing choice the Va Va Voom is also a very well balanced cocktail and is perfect for summer. Combine these drinks with a wonderful setting and top class staff, you have a fantastic cocktail experience.
On a separate note, Salvatore at Playboy is available to hire for private events and is now open for non-members from 6pm Monday – Saturday.
The Dining Room
The Dining Room at the Playboy Club is, in comparison to the rest of the venue anyway, a lower key affair in terms of aesthetics and drama. However, this shift in ambiance is welcome and makes for a relaxing place to unwind and enjoy the Asian-American fusion food on offer.
The menu has been expertly crafted by Executive Chef Judy Joo, who has worked alongside some of the world`s top culinary artists at Michelin-starred restaurants. Also known for her appearances on Iron Chef UK, Judy uses only the finest ingredients in her imaginative and diverse menu.
To start I begun with fresh and perfectly cooked Grilled Hand Dived Scottish Scallops. The scallops were given an Asian twist with white miso and shitake mushrooms to give a really unusual, yet exciting collection of complimenting flavours. (£16.00)
However, if you want the best example of Judy Joo`s menu here, I would suggest that the Hef Burger is resonant of the style and extravagance of the menu as a whole. Available for a hefty (excuse the pun), this burger is made from super rich Wagyu beef – this makes it super flavoursome and a very memorable dish. The dish is so much more than a burger – it may just be THE burger. But it doesn`t stop there, the dish also comes with truffle ketchup, skinny fries and a Playboy poker chip featuring a famous vintage cover girl (8 different chips/cover girls) and redeemable for a glass of Champagne. I would also really recommend the steak tasting plate (£48) which brings together some of the finest cuts of meat offered at The Dining Room for a very reasonable price indeed. It includes Aberdeen Angus fillet, Wagyu rump, USDA Prime Ribeye.
Now, what would you say if I told you that Snickers are on the menu at The Dining Room? Well, you may be surprised. However, this dessert, which is the restaurants signature dessert, is a peanut parfait, with salted butter caramel, chocolate mousse and praline. (£10) just listing those ingredients gives you an idea of how sumptuous and decadent it is, but I would recommend as a fun, imaginative and calorie busting way to end the meal.
Open every day to non-members at lunchtime you can try their 3 course specials menu for only £30. Open 12pm – 1.30am for members.
Baroque
On arrival to Baroque you may be overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Champagne collection on display here. Playboy claim that `Baroque boasts one of the most extensive lists of vintage Champagne in Europe` and we could certainly see this to be true on our visit – the selection is breath-taking. The décor here is an extremely different offering to that of Salvatore`s and the atmosphere is certainly a little livelier too.
Baroque seems to have taken its aesthetic roots from the glamour and class associated with the Playboy brand itself; by this I mean it is unashamedly luxurious and extravagant in its dark seductive reds and low lighting. It is certainly a place to head to late evening, rather than early doors.
In another through back to the classic and vintage feel, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night there is a selection of the finest caberet performers in the UK today. This ranges from highly-skilled sword swallowers, contortionists, tango dancers and burlesque artistes come together to form The Baroque Cabaret Troupe who transform the luxurious night spot into a `rock `n` roll circus` experience. This is not just a place to drink some of the finest champagnes the world has to offer, but it will also keep you amused and entertained. Staff here are reflective of the staff body as a whole, they were attentive, fun and always ready to be of service.
http://www.playboyclublondon.com/
http://www.playboyclublondon.com/membership
