Dom Pannell's Blog

Talking of cocktails...

... I ought to chuck in a mention of CocktailStars. On Thursday last week, I attended a showcase event thrown by these talented jugglers of libationary delight (thanks to my good friend Sam Fyson who looks after them) at Prospero House in Borough.

Now, those that know me well are aware that I try to avoid drinking too many spirits these days (trust me, it's better that way!) but I reckon it's probably OK from time to time.

Despite arriving close to 'bar closing time' I managed to sample several of the cocktails on offer and can assure you, dear reader, that they were very, very good. At one point I abandoned any pretence of being an Alpha Male and had a Cosmopolitan mixed by Joe Wood, UK Mixologist of the year 2005.

It was sensational!

Apparently CocktailStars conduct team-building training... now I can see that taking off!

Wilbur's birthday

There's a bit of confusion over the exact date that Steve Wilson (aka Wilbur) was actually born, which is probably why the Wikipedia entry for October 14th only lists English soccer player Matthew Le Tissier and the entry for October 16th only lists the French actress Elsa Zylberstein.

Anyhow, Wilbur decided to celebrate on the 14th this year, seeing as how it was a Saturday. I made the trek down to Winchester from London and met up with Damon Surridge who I hadn't seen for a while. Among his many talents, Damon is a prolific blogger - you can catch up with him on Damonblog. Here he is between slurps of lager:

I then went for supper chez Kay and Steve, where I met three of their lovely Portuguese friends and a couple of Balhamites before we all headed into town to a cocktail bar called Mix. Much merriment and downing of booze ensued.

Here's Wilbur and Kay about to have a drink-off (I think) - either that or they were engaging in synchronised swigging:

At one point, Paulo, one of the Portuguese chaps, announced that I look exactly like Fred Flinstone... (in the same week that I've been likened to Marco Pierre White and the late, great Tommy Cooper!). Well, all I can say, Paulo, is that you were separated from birth from Joey from Friends:

Here's Paulo's beautiful wife, Isobel being squashed by Carla!

Mix is an interesting venue, especially if you like watching Tom'n Jerry cartoons while you sample intoxicating spirits (I do). Not sure who took this flashy photo, but Warren and Simone are facing the camera:

Tom'n Jerry are about to star in Solid Serenade while recent blonde Lydia watches the camera suspiciously:

All told, lots of fun. Happy birthday tomorrow, Wilbur!

[EDIT: Apparently in my youth I bore more than a passing resemblance to Aled Jones! /EDIT]

San Francisco – Ferry Building or lunch on 24th September

I ventured into the Ferry Building on the personal recommendation of Carter Lusher who writes the Food Notebook, a veritable mine of information about the Bay Area’s food culture.

Carter suggested I might enjoy munching my way around the various stalls inside the Ferry Building, with a glass or two of wine along the way. Good call, Carter!

After saying goodbye to Veronica, I settled down to a dozen oysters at the Hog Island Oyster Company. I was accompanied by a friendly chap called Luis who gave me lots of tips for what to see during my stay and handed me his phone number when he left. I’m not sure whether his intentions were wholly honourable, but his conversation was pleasant and his suggestions proved good ones. As for the oysters, they were delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed sampling a selection of Hog Island Sweetwater, Atlantic, Kumamoto and French Hog varieties with a glass of perfectly chilled Muscadet-sur-Lie.

I also tried out Tsar Nicoulai Caviar, which appears popular with groups of young ladies – not a bad thing for a lone English tourist. The Hackleback Sturgeon is particularly tasty.

I finished off by buying a selection of cheeses from the Cowgirl Creamery, some bread from the Acme Bread Company and a bottle of Napa Valley red from the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, with which I made a delicious picnic down the Embarcadero (not sure if it’s legal to do that , but I did it anyway and I have a cheese knife from the Cowgirl Creamery to prove it!).

There’s lots more to see and eat in the Ferry Building and the next time I’m in San Francisco, I intend to go back and try more.