Jedi Nights at Gordon's Wine Bar

Continuing my foray into the world of internet dating... its amazing how fast two humans can arrange a second "date" once they've discovered a mutual affection for lightsabers (note: this is not an innuendo - I really am talking about Jedi techy stuff here).

So, not quite the Mos Eisley cantina, but dark, stuffy and sufficiently cavernous to pass for a distant Tatooine cousin, the Gordon's Wine Bar near Embankment station was the setting for an evening of too much (good) wine, too much (good, smelly) cheese but just the right amount of good conversation.


I love Gordon's. The cosy alcoves smell a bit like musty old port barrels, which is exactly what the place should smell like, the entirely French and Italian staff are mostly useless but somehow totally appropriate, the slabs of cheese are humungous and there's cornichons "a volonte" clearly, they know me well. They serve a really good selection of port, sherry, manzanilla, red, white, rose and madeira and also have a decent hot food buffet. Best in the summer months is the hog roast at the end of the long thin strip of patio/garden that stretches outside the wine bar along the Embankment gardens.
Shoddy lighting outside does mean that after sundown you're somewhat falling into/over people, although that might also just be the port talking. Cheese-wise, we enjoyed some Port Salut, a dolcelatte and some Stinking Bishop. I think. Divine.

A. drank something or other, E. drank something or other different, both choices were yum. A. and E. then both shared a bottle of Rose which was crisp and refreshing (yes, I sound as knowledgeable as a Wetherspoon's wine list) then A and E proceeded to demolish the leftovers of someone else's wine, thus proving we really are about as classy as those egg-headed creatures in the Star Wars cantina band.

With all that it's rather a miracle A. and E. didn't break out into an all out demented Ewok-dance fest on the tube.

Last of the Summer Lunches

Just a few happy snaps I took of a couple of lunch parties we cooked for chez moi. The dishes more or less speak for themselves, simple, fresh, colourful and tasty. Just a few tips to make your buffets a success:
a) Ensure at least two vegetarian options as well as a fresh leafy salad.
b) Offer one hot salad - maybe a variety of steamed veg with a soy/lime dressing and one cold salad with as many different leaves you can find, some fresh herbs and juicy olives.
c)Don't offer cheapo cheese, it's easy to make an impressive cheese platter with two or three good choices and some freshly baked bread, sliced pears or figs and a pot of homemade chutney or honey.
d) If you don't want to serve alcohol, then instead of the usual orange juice, water or coke as alternatives try making a fruit punch, home made lemonade or pomegranate and elderflower spritzers. You can find exciting juice mixes in almost every supermarket now! e) If you want to serve bubbles but don't have a lot of cash, try a supermarket brand Cava. Bottles are generally around the £5-6 mark and the quality is high. Sainsbury's Cava is a good choice, as is the 2004, Best Vintage Cava by Morrisons at £6.99 a bottle.