Boisdale Telegraph June/July 2013

M E M B E R S PARTY, LU NCH an d POLO p2 • TH E FR E E DOM D I N N E R p3 • U K Youth Gala Dinner p3
ISSUE 40 • JUN–JUL 2013
WWW.BOISDALE.CO.UK
Priceless
B OISD ALE
E NT ER T AINMENT
B
Jools Holland,
Imelda May and Rumer
attend the launch of
Gilson Lavis exhibition at
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
LAUNCHES JUNE 2013!
oisdale Entertainment is the one stop shop
for all your entertainment requirements
whether it be live music for a private party, an
after dinner speaker or comedian for a formal dinner or indeed an iconic rock band to
sell out a stadium. Boisdale Entertainment was
founded on the concept of providing a unique
entertainment service based upon completely
understanding customer aspirations and how to
deliver ultimate satisfaction. The team collectively has served over 100 years of hard time in
the entertainment industry, ranging from putting on cool jazz bands for hot summer nights
to world tours for global icons. Rarely if ever
before has such a complete offering of ability
and experience been assembled.
Michael Gelardi, Managing Director of Boisdale Entertainment has produced
over 800 events globally at prestige venues in locations around the world. His
productions have featured artists as diverse as Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr.,
Take That, The Spice Girls and Lionel Richie (pictured).
Dublin-born rockabilly singer Imelda May holds her portrait painted by drummer
Gilson Lavis during the exhibition launch party at Boisdale of Canary Wharf.
Imelda’s trademark 50s glamour, unforgettable blend of country & western and
rhythm & blues sound and powerful vocals wows audiences wherever she goes.
M
usic greats including Jools Holland, Imelda May and Rumer showed up at the launch
of an exhibition of ink sketches and portraits by Gilson Lavis on 4 April at Boisdale of
Canary Wharf. »Cont page 2
boisdale
mixologist
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
voted Best Whisky Venue in
the World 2013
HANNAH
LANFEAR
voted best
cocktail
bartender in
London
B
oisdale of Canary Wharf was named
Global Whisky Venue Of The Year during Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky Awards
Dinner on 21 March which recognise and
celebrate the people and places behind the
greatest whiskies and whisky establishments in
the world. The London embassy of Highland
hospitality impressed the judges with its one
thousand strong collection of Scottish, Irish,
Japanese, Indian, English and Welsh single
malt whiskies and the expertise of the exceptional bar staff who exude such passion for the
water of life.
B
oisdale mixologist Hannah Lanfear was
announced London’s top cocktail bartender and winner of the Gin Connoisseur
Program (GCP) 2013 London by G’Vine,
Gin de France. »Cont page 3
Ranald Macdonald, Hannah Lanfear &
Rob Alanson, Editor of Whisky Magazine.
page 1
the Tomahawk has
landed
at
Boisdale
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Members Party & Lunch
at the spectacular
Ham Polo Club
Sunday 16 June • Ham Polo Club
Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7AH
Head Chef Neil Churchill’s Tomahawk steak at Boisdale of Bishopsgate has received
rave reviews from the press and was described as not only visually impressive but also
fantastic in texture and flavour; London Unattached reviewer said it was “a jawdropping dish”.
BOISDALE of BISHOPSGATE is now focussing on offering the most interesting and spectacular steaks on the planet. The debut of the
1 kilo Tomahawk Steak and 1 kilo Porterhouse
steak, ideal for two or possibly more diners, has
resulted in rave reviews from press and public
alike. Beyond the quality of the beef, of which
more later, the thickness of the cuts allows for
a more measured and exacting cooking process,
in other words caramelised to perfection on the
outside and melt in the mouth deliciously rare
inside, if that’s how you like it!
Legendary butcher, James George of the
East End Steak Company has dry aged the beef
on the bone specifically for Boisdale for a full
45 days. His ageing room is lined with Himalayan salt which perfects the dry aging process
and infuses spectacular flavour. The result is a
mature and deep flavoured resonating complex
taste profile with an extraordinarily long finish.
The 1 kilo Tomahawk steak is taken from
the prime rib of beef of Dexter cattle hailing
from Mount Grace Farm in Thirsk, North
Yorkshire. The 1 kilo Porterhouse steak is from
rare pure bred Hereford cattle and the cut is
from the point where the fillet and top sirloin
meet. Basically it is an oversized T-Bone steak.
The Porterhouse is thicker cut and has much
more of the fillet relative to the sirloin portion. If you remove the bone and cut out the
two steaks, that make up this gorgeous piece of
beef, you are left with a fillet steak and the centre cut sirloin. In US steakhouse speak known as
tenderloin and New York strip respectively.
There is much debate about why it is
named a Porterhouse steak, although it is clear
that it definitely originated in the US. The most
popular version of events goes back to Manhattan’s Pearl Street in around 1814, when porter house proprietor Martin Morrison started
serving particularly large T-bones. The Oxford
English Dictionary lists this etymology as the
likely origin of the steak’s name while noting
that there’s no contemporary evidence to support or contradict the tale. This origin story
gained traction in the late 19th century, but
others furiously contend it, claiming that a hotel and restaurant proprietor named Zachariah
B. Porter in Cambridge, Massachusetts lent
his name to the cut of beef in 1800. Still others claim that the steak takes its name from the
Porter House, a popular hotel in 19th-century
Flowery Branch, Georgia.
These magnificent mighty steaks are
served on a thick wooden board with duck fat
chips, roasted bone marrow, beer braised onions & salsa dragoncello. 45 day dry aged Dexter beef Tomahawk Steak, £90 for 2 or more
people sharing. The 45 dry aged Hereford beef
Porterhouse Steak served as above is £80 for
two or more people sharing.
Jools Holland, Imelda May and Rumer
attend the launch of Gilson Lavis
exhibition at Boisdale of Canary Wharf
«Continued from page 1 Gilson Lavis is one of
Britain’s most experienced and versatile drummers. With a career spanning over four decades, Gilson has played with a myriad of household names from the music industry. In the
early days as resident drummer in Talk Of The
South cabaret club, Gilson found himself play-
Gilson Lavis (left) has a career
spanning four decades during which
he played with a myriad of names from
the entertainment industry including
Boisdale Patron of Music Jools Holland
(right).
ing for a wide variety of acts including Tommy
Cooper, David Frost, Lulu, Freddie Starr,
Bob Monkhouse, Bruce Forsyth and Engelbert Humperdinck. From then on, Gilson
worked with some of the world’s best performers. They are too numerous to list entirely, but
include Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Barry
White, Neil Sedaka, Cher, George Harrison,
Paul Young, Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey,
Robert Plant, Taj Mahal and Tom Jones.
Our day at the stunning Polo Club will feature a Frescobaldi wine tasting on arrival
followed by a delectable 3-course lunch with wine in the Clubroom and leisurely day
of polo matches.
The directors of Boisdale and Ham Polo Club
are proud to announce what we hope will become a long and blossoming reciprocal association between two wonderful clubs. From May
2013 members of the Boisdale Jazz & Cigar
Club will gain access to full membership benefits at Ham Polo Club. This partnership will
run on a trial basis for a period of 12 months
until June 2014, and to celebrate we will be
throwing a party for Boisdale Jazz & Cigar Club
members on June 16 which will see the Boisdale
Polo Team battling Ham Polo Club team on the
polo ground whilst members sip wine and enjoy a spectacular lunch in a stunning colonial
Clubhouse. This is a perfect day out; strictly for
Boisdale members (plus one guest). For further details visit events section on the Boisdale
website www.boisdale.co.uk. Frescobaldi wine
tasting before lunch, a 3-course buffet lunch
with half a bottle of wine per person in the new
stunning Club House and polo matches all afternoon is £45 for members and guests. RSVP
Alexandria Wood on 020 7730 6922 ([email protected]). Start 12.30pm.
FRESCOBALDI WINE TASTING
before lunch
VERMENTINO IGT TOSCANA 2012,
TENUTA DELL’AMMIRAGLIA
•
MONTESODI CHIANTI RUFINA RISERVA
2009, CASTELLO DI NIPOZZANO
•
RIPA AL CONVENTO BRUNELLO DI
MONTALCINO RISERVA DOCG 2003,
CASTELGIOCONDO
Multi Brit award nominee AngloPakistani singer Rumer with drummer
and painter Gilson Lavis.
page 2
Antipasti
Olives, Parma ham, brisola, Milano salami,
mortadella, sundried tomatoes, artichokes and
chargrilled asparagus
•
Served with ciabatta and focaccia breads, balsamic
and olive oils.
Cold Buffet
Carpaccio of beef with capers, rocket, Parmesan shavings,
parsley & horseradish dressing
•
Chicken with lemon, garlic red onion, rosemary
and potatoes served hot
•
Salmon with a fresh basil pesto and roasted tomatoes.
Aubergine stuffed with mozzarella and sage coated
in polenta served with a fresh tomato sauce
•
Rocket and radicchio salad with croutons & Parmesan
•
Fennel, lemon, pear, walnut with gorgonzola dressing
•
Char-grilled Mediterranean vegetables
•
Sautéed cauliflower with toasted almonds, anchovies
& cauliflower cream dressing.
Pudding Buffet
Tiramisu with fresh macerated strawberries
in sugar and balsamic vinegar
•
Lemon meringue pie
•
White and dark chocolate truffle cake
•
Summer berry compote
•
Cream and raspberry purée
Coffee & tea
UK Youth
Gala
Dinner
Hosted by Susanna Reid and Nigel Mansell CBE
in the presence of HRH Princess Anne
sponsored by Justerini & Brooks
Wednesday 12 June • Boisdale of Canary Wharf
UK Youth Gala Dinner will be hosted at Boisdale of Canary Wharf as a part of the launch of
Motorexpo, Europe’s most spectacular motor
show held in Canary Wharf from 10-16 June.
All money raised will support UK Youth’s
innovative youth development work which
reaches 790,000 young people each year.
UK Youth help young people to gain life skills
and accredited awards that build confidence,
resilience and make them more employable. There are currently record numbers of 1624 year olds out of work, youth services have
been hit hard by government cuts and young
people are constantly confronted by negative
images of themselves in the media.
After a Justerini & Brooks Champagne
reception the four-course ‘Best of British’
dinner, created by Andy Rose, the Michelin
trained Executive Head Chef at Boisdale, will
be accompanied by delicious wines kindly donated by Justerini & Brooks. This event has
now sold out.
The Gala Dinner at Boisdale of Canary
Wharf will be attended by UK Youth’s
Patron and VIP guest HRH Princes
Anne and hosted by UK Youth’s
President and legendary Formula One
champion Nigel Mansell CBE.
The Freedom Dinner
Tuesday 2 July • Boisdale of Canary Wharf
T
he Directors of Forest, The Free Society
and Boisdale invite you to The Freedom
Dinner at Boisdale of Canary Wharf. This
special event will be hosted by Boisdale MD
Ranald Macdonald and Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ group Forest (Freedom
Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking
Tobacco).
Launched last year, The Freedom
Dinner celebrates the virtue of allowing adults
to make their own choices on issues such as
tobacco, food and drink. For years successive
governments have tried to regulate and restrict
those choices. Enough is enough! Guests can
enjoy a cocktail reception on the smoking terrace, followed by a sumptuous three-course
dinner with delicious wines and live music followed by stimulating after dinner speeches.
We are delighted to announce that this
year’s speakers are Lord Bell and Mark Littlewood. Lord Bell is chairman of Bell Pottinger Private. He is one of the best known
figures in the UK communications industry
and was political advisor to Lady Thatcher
from 1976 to 1990. He successfully ran election campaigns for the Conservative Party in
1979, 1983 and in 1987. He has also served
as a political advisor to F W de Klerk, Ronald Reagan, Boris Yeltsin, Jacques Chiraq
The Boisdale Enclosure at the
Investec Derby Festival 2013
Saturday 31 May — 1 June
Boisdale dinner speaker Mark
Littlewood is Director General of the
Institute of Economic Affairs. Formerly
he has been chief press spokesman for
the Liberal Democrats and describes
himself as saints-supporting, pokerplaying, lover of freedom.
Lord Bell one of the most established
figures in the UK communications
industry, best known for his advisory role
in Margaret Thatcher’s three successful
general election campaigns will be giving
a speech during the Freedom Dinner at
Boisdale of Canary Wharf on Tuesday 2 July.
and Thaksin Shinawatra, among many others.
He currently advises the chairmen and chief
executives of many of Britain’s leading companies and organisations, as well as foreign
heads of state and international business and
political leaders all over the world.
Mark Littlewood is director-general
of the Institute of Economic Affairs, one of
the world’s leading economic think tanks.
Mark was formerly campaigns director for the
human rights group Liberty. He later founded
NO2ID, the group that opposes identity cards
and the database state. In December 2004 he
was appointed head of media for the Liberal
Democrats and went on to found Progressive
Vision, a classical liberal think tank. Mark frequently comments on political and economic
issues on television and radio including BBC
Question Time, Any Questions, Newsnight,
Channel 4, Sky News, the Today programme
and LBC.
Tickets: £90 single; £800 for a table
of 10. Dress code: as you like. For further
information telephone 01223 3701456 or
email [email protected].
boisdale mixologist
HANNAH LANFEAR
voted best cocktail bartender in London
Continued from page 1
The competition was held at
the Paramount Soho on the
25 of March. Rebecca Seal,
presenter of Channel 4’s
Sunday Brunch and spirits
guru Salvatore Calabrese
joined last year’s GCP winner, Pawel Rolka and blogger
Emma Stokes to form the judging panel for the competition.
Sebastian Kasyna of Coq d’Argent
was awarded third place and Andreas
Tsanos of Spirit Level, Baku, second.
Hannah Lanfear will now join
Jamie Jones, winner of the Manchester 2013 GCP preliminary, as one of
the UK representatives at the GCP
international finals, taking place in
Cognac in June. The final round of
the GCP will see 15 of the best bartenders from across the globe.
Hannah Lanfear said, “I’m thrilled to
have won a competition that asks bartenders
page 3
to face the vote of the audience, as well as a panel of
high calibre judges. The idea
of the Mary Jean was to create a classic yet contemporary
drink. G’Vine Nouaison was
the perfect choice to highlight
the spicy cardamom and cassia
bark notes of my cocktail as it’s
smooth yet robust.”
HANNAH’S MARY JEAN
WINNING COCKTAIL
40ml Gin G’Vine Nouasion
10 ml Aperol
12.5 fresh lemon juice
12.5 sugar syrup
15ml Coco Real
35ml freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
Dash Abbott’s bitters
Shaken hard and served straight up in a coupette,
garnished with a freeze dried rose.
If you wish to be made aware of last minute events and offers, please send your email address to: alex ([email protected]).
Boisdale Calendar Highlights
photo diary
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.
June‘13 — all events are strictly RSVP
tue
18
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Summer Whites: Burgundy vs Loire Wine Tasting
Members: FREE (+ 1 guest) & Non Members: £15.
6pm
tue
18
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
Sloane’s Gin Tasting
wed
19
Boisdale of Belgravia
Aberdeen Angus Rib of Beef Luncheon
Three courses and half a bottle of Boisdale 2010 Claret.
Members £29.50; Non Members £39.50.
12.30pm
thu
20
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Sipsmiths Independent Gin and Spirit Tasting
Hosted by James Grundy of Sipsmiths London.
Members and Non Members: FREE.
6pm
mon
24
Boisdale of Belgravia
Cuban Cigar Tasting & Boisdale Champagne
Hosted by Jimmy McGhee of Hunters & Frankau.
Members: £15; Non Members: £25.
6pm
wed
26
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
Cuban Cigar & Spanish Wine Tasting
Hosted by Jimmy McGhee of Hunters & Frankau.
Members: £15; Non Members: £25.
6pm
7.30pm
Dom Perignon Dinner to celebrate the launch of the
Scottish lobster season sponsored by Moët & Chandon
A three-course lobster dinner includes one glass of Dom Perignon and half a bottle
of Chablis 2008, William Fevre. Members £39.50; Non Members £49.50.
July‘13 — all events are strictly RSVP
tue
02
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
The Freedom Dinner
Seven Islands, A launch of Scottish Indian whisky
Hosted by Sanjay S Dash of Seven Islands Whisky.
Members & Non Members: FREE
6pm
Cigar Tasting: Sancho Panza Belicosos (5 ½'' 52 ring gauge)
and Cognac vs Armagnac Tasting
Members: £25; Non Members £35.
tue
09
Boisdale of Belgravia
Members: FREE (+ 1 guest) & Non Members: £15.
thu
11
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Gonzalez Byass UK Spanish Wine Tasting
Members: FREE (+ 1 guest); Non Members £15.
6pm
mon
15
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
Summer reds: Beaujolais vs Loire Wine Tasting
Members: FREE (+ 1 guest); Non Members £15.
6pm
tue
16
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Classic Cuban Rum Cocktail Tasting
wed
17
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Turbot Dinner
Members: FREE (+ 1 guest); Non Members £10.
6pm
mon
22
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
The House of Bollinger
Champagne Tasting and
Dinner
Winner of Boisdale Facebook giveaway Oli Parrett
with a stunning gold sheen limited edition release of
Rémy Martin’s aged, fruity XO Excellence cognac
during tasting on March 13, hosted by Alexandre
Quintin Louis XIII Ambassador (right). For more
photos and a chance to win some seriously delicious
prizes see our Facebook pages - www.facebook.com/
boisdale; www.facebook.com/boisdalecw
The Bollinger Champagne Dinner at Boisdale of
Belgravia on April 9 was so oversubscribed and such
a massive hit with our members that lovely waitress
Debbie Byrne (white shirt) had to result to Cirque du
Soleil acrobatics to deliver dishes to our guests. We heard
nothing but fantastic feedback following the event, so
many thanks to our great host Howard Corrigan and
superb head chef Colin Wint who conjured up 5 extra
lobsters just several hours before the event.
Pure Bred Dexter Beef Steak Dinner
A three-course dinner and half a bottle of Boisdale 2010 Claret
Members £29.50: Non Members: £39.50.
7.30pm
tue
23
Boisdale of Belgravia
Summer reds: Beaujolais vs Loire Wine Tasting
Members: FREE (+ 1 guest); Non Members £15.
6pm
Cigar Tasting: Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona (7 ¾'' and
49 ring gauge) and Martel vs Hennessey cognac tasting
Members: £25; Non Members £35.
thu
25
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Sloane’s Gin Tasting
Hosted by Agne Krasauskaite. Members & Non Members: FREE.
6pm
mon
29
Boisdale of Belgravia
Cigar Tasting: Cohiba Lanceros (7 ½'' 38 ring
gauge) and Fortnum & Mason’s Madeira wine
Members £25; Non Members £35.
6pm
tue
30
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Summer Whites: Italian vs Spanish Wine Tasting
Members: FREE (+ 1 guest) & Non Members: £15.
6pm
wed
31
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Aberdeen Angus Rib of Beef Dinner
A three-course dinner with half a bottle of Boisdale 2010 Claret
Members: £29.50; Non Members: £39.50.
7.30pm
Boisdale of Belgravia
15 Eccleston Street
Belgravia SW1W 9LX
T 020 7730 6922
Designed by
Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his
fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and
the report which was in general circulation within
five minutes after his entrance, of his having nine
[hundred] thousand a year. Within six minutes after
his entrance, all guests on the Belgravia terrace felt
terribly let down upon learning that the unexpected
guest at the Hunters & Frankau Cuban Cigar tasting
hosted by unforgettable Jimmy McGhee on March 4
was merely a member of The Sublime Society of Beef
Steaks enjoying a pint of lager and in search of a
good smoke.
Remy Martin Cognac
Tasting
A three-course dinner including half a bottle of Chablis 2008 William Fevre.
Members £29.50; Non Members: £39.50.
7.30pm
6pm
So many hats and only two heads! BJ&CC Member
Jasmine Wanstall with Chip Tate, owner and distiller
at Balcones, Waco, Texas during an event at Boisdale
of Belgravia on March 26. It’s safe to say we’ve never
had a tasting quite like it! The Lone Star State host
captivated the audience with numerous vivid tales
ranging from setting distilleries on fire and quirks of
English language to building his own stills and drawing
inspiration from Tex Mex and tortilla flavours to
create artisan whiskeys. More to the point, the whiskey
was delicious! Balcones produces innovative, excellent
American craft spirits and is definitely a distillery
to watch.
English Sparkling vs Champagne Blind Tasting
6pm
wed
24
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
Balcones from Waco, Texas
— Craft Whiskies Launch in
the UK
A three-course lobster dinner includes a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne and
half a bottle of Chablis 2008, Fevre. Members £35; Non Members: £45.
thu
04
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
6pm
Vegas Robaina Cuban Cigar
& Martell Cognac Tasting
Scottish Lobster lunch sponsored by Champagne Perrier-Jouët
12.30pm
mon
08
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
Posh Pugs Hubie and Bertie (not sure which one is
which) drink to make people more interesting. Above,
at the ready to get their tongues into a well-deserved
Bombay Martini in the Back Bar at Boisdale of
Belgravia following an exhaustingly long walk around
Eaton Square. The event hosted by Sam Carter of
Bombay Spirits Company on 29 January was vastly
oversubscribed and voted by common consensus one of
the most inspiring tastings in recent months.
A Steinway Grand Piano has been set aside as a prize
for the reader who can guess from this photo which
hand is playing a four-beat pulse with a single bass
note. Four world’s leading boogie-woogie and stride
piano players (left to right) Nevil Dickie, Jools
Holland, Ben Waters and Axel Zwingenberger in
action at one piano on stage at Boisdale of Canary
Wharf on 19 February.
Hosted by Ranald Macdonald and Simon Clark. Tickets: £90 single;
£800 for a table of 10. Speakers: Lord Bell and Mark Littlewood.
6pm
wed
03
Boisdale of Belgravia
The Festival of Boogie
Woogie, Stride & Blues
Hosted by Agne Krasauskaite.
Members: FREE (+ 1 guest) & Non Members: £15.
6pm
thu
27
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Bombay Spirits Company
Flavour Experience —
Gin Tasting And Cocktails
Boisdale of Bishopsgate
Swedeland Court
202 Bishopsgate EC2M 4NR
T 020 7283 1763
www.mwmcreative.co.uk
The Lamb at Hindon
Hindon nr Salisbury
Wiltshire SP3 6DP
T 01747 820 573
page 4
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
Cabot Place E14 4QT
T 020 7715 5818
Patron of Music: Jools Holland
Editor and Chief: Ranald Macdonald
Editor: Barbara Widera
Executive Producer: Elvis Presley
www.boisdale.co.uk