LONDONDRINKS
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BEAUFORT BAR BAR THE SCENE The Savoy Hotel’s bar simply oozes old-fashioned glamour; its interior is sleek – mixing jet-black chairs and furnishings with splashings of gold. If you look the part (no jeans), the waiter will allow you to sit at a table, or you’ll be left to perch at the bar chatting to the surprisingly humorous mixologists. There’s also a pianist who, instead of tinkling out the classics, is playing a range of Eighties music and modern sounds, such as Coldplay. Rather than being pretentious, it works, creating an image that wouldn’t look out of place in a Bond film. THE GRUB Snack on the complimentary nuts and olives. Or, if you want to splash out, come here for afternoon tea, which is priced at £55pp. BEHIND THE BAR Bubbles. And lots of them, including rare vintages. There’s a Methuselah (six litres) of Cristal on sale for £16,400. We pass on that and order cocktails. The Impressionist (cherry marnier, raspberry and rose cordial, violette liqueur and champagne) is bizarrely served with dry-ice. It is, however, the nicest cocktail I’ve ever tasted – so I order one, or maybe two, more. BILL PLEASE As much as you like! Cocktails from £9.50. Glass of wine from £9.50. VERDICT OK, so you’re not going to make this place your local, but whether you’re a Londoner or passing through, sinking cocktails in the Savoy is almost a rite of passage – like sipping a Singapore Sling in Raffles. CAROL DRIVER
Fancy: Beaufort Bar Strand, WC2R 0EU
fairmont.com/savoy
3 OF THE BEST MARGARITAS
Embankment
CAFE PACIFICO
CRAZY HOMIES
CANTINA LAREDO
Skip the pitcher and order one drink at a time to avoid too much ice. Choose from interesting flavors like lychee. The service is good, so get some chips and guacamole and stay a while.
No margarita mix at this joint. With dozens of tequilas to choose from, they know their Mexican licquor and aren’t afraid to add it liberally to their various chilled drinks.
Keep an eye out for their Wednesday two-for-one margarita deal. A bit pricey, otherwise these margaritas are faultlessly pure and don’t skimp on proportions. Try the special La Bandera.
cafepacifico-laperla.com
crazyhomies.com
cantinalaredo.co.uk
Need to send money between UK and home? r Cheapee than th banks*
*Source: 1st Contact survey of UK high street bank charges, April 2008.
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