I feel quite bad as I didn't take photos of last night ... which - thinking back - actually is a good thing.
So, met friends for drinks at Brown's Hotel ... on Albermarle Street. I filmed here a couple of years back ... but have only been back once. It was the first hotel to open in London - back in 1837 - and in 2003, I believe - it became a Rocco Forte Hotel.
We met at the Donovan Bar - named after the world-famous photographer. There's a special seating area that has some fabulous B&W photos ... especially if you are a boy!
From there it was Automat ... one road along on Dover Street ... which is supposed to be an upmarket American diner. I am not sure I heard one American accent ... the food was pretty ok - the service was less than ok - the wine - passable but the company was superb!
From there we headed to 50 St James ... a casino/club owned by the Barclay Brothers (who also own The Ritz Hotel). A couple of members of Girls Aloud were having some kind of party ... so it was quite full. The wine was fantastic ... but some of the patrons were - it would be fair to say ... awful ... ill-mannered ... yuk .... The Bar is run by legend Salvatore Calabrese - a wonderful chap ... who knows an awful lot about wine, whisky & cigars ... lovely man.
By 1 am we were STILL thirsty so we had a drink at the Mandarin Oriental Bar ....
Finally back to bed at the lovely Berkeley at 2 am and up at 5.30 to catch a train ... ouch!
It was a great evening - old friends and new friends - laughter & wine ...
Song of the Day: Teenage Dirtbag - Girls Aloud (truly awful) www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6EWMFqpDI8
Weather: Rain .... then Sun
brown's - hmmmm
automat - hmmm
