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Showing posts with label Gin and Tonic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gin and Tonic. Show all posts

Saturday, November 12, 2011

The Adventurists' Afternoon Tea with Jon Muir & Hendrick's Gin, Sydney (12 Nov 2011)

Cnr Albert and Phillip Streets, Circular Quay, Sydney NSW 2000


For the true adventure seeker

“We hold what we like to think are proper adventures, the sort where you have to use your own cunning; no guides, no rules, no back-up or support” — The Adventurists

Thanks for Steve Stammers from Weber Shandwick for inviting me as guest to this special afternoon tea event ($20) with adventurer Jon Muir — not to be confused with John Muir the Scottish-born naturalist of 1838 who looks uncannily very similar. To be honest I wasn't that familiar with his achievements to date but soon found out he achieved the first Sherpa-less South ascent of Everest, pioneered a new route to the South Pole and was the first to walk solo and unsupported across Australia — a true Ambassador of Adventure. He was an engaging and passionate speaker, even though he considers himself more of a recluse, bringing sincere laughter from the audience with his down-to-earth insights of stories about encounters with polar bears, taking a leak and having a smoke at the top of Everest and managing to escape from falling through ice covered freezing water like a walrus out of a David Attenborough documentary. After the entertaining speech it was time for some crustless sandwiches and large pieces of cakes to be washed down with generous takings of Hendrick's Gin. I'm sure any adventurer would be nicely rewarded to have this at the end of their journey. If you're wanting something different to challenge your mindset then perhaps check out The Adventurists which is an organisation wanting to save the world by making all their adventures raise funds for charity. They've apparently already donated AUD $4.6 million.


Other Hendrick's Gin events:
• 12 Nov 2011 - The Adventurists' Afternoon Tea with Jon Muir
• 25 June 2011 - Refined Courtship Clinic

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: For those seeking an extreme adventure challenge, Raises money for charity
CONS: I prefer my creature comforts although after a few G&Ts I could be tempted to be more adventurous
MUST TRY: Watching the videos of The Adventurists adventures
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Afternoon tea with gin — what more could you ask for?

T2 tea time — I tried Sydney Breakfast and Mint Mix

Jon Muir talking about his adventures


Pretty much a full house

The face of travelling through very cold climates

Eating the rotting meat of a 10 day old carcass — I'm not even sure if Bear Grylls would eat this.

Travel buddies

At home with the chooks and living a pretty sustainable life off the land — except for chocolate.

The Henrick's Gin bar is now open for your drinking pleasure

Made with infusions of cucumber and rose

G&T — yes please!

Cakes and sandwiches — an adventurer does need their sugar.

Jon Muir book signing of Alone across Australia

Balcony afters with a G&T

Even real men need to use their pinkys sometimes

Rubbing shoulders with Jon Muir — a living legend of adventure.

Balcony and photographer

I do love a toilet with privacy screens — tick of approval!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Red Door: Bar, Surry Hills (11 Feb 2011)

65-67 Foveaux Street,
Surry Hills, 2010
http://www.thereddoor.com.au


Nice place for a sexy drink

For a special after work drink The Red Door offers a relaxed and cosy atmosphere to enjoy a fine wine, cocktail or decently made gin and tonic. The Bellini white peach puree and prosecco ($16) is about what you'd expect to pay and my Hendricks with fresh cucumber ($11) comes with a nicely fashioned single ice cube. The 2009 Fairbank Rose Bendigo ($10) is good and my Tanqueray 10 with fresh pink grapefruit ($11) is a good match and something I haven't tried before. I always try to follow a bartender's recommendation for what goes with particular gin. I'm thinking they should know better than me and if they don't then it's time to move on to another bar. I'd be happy to return and perhaps check out the restaurant upstairs which looked pretty nice. Prices are more expensive than your stock standard bar but the decor and ambience is also above average and the bar staff seemed pretty switched on and focused on good customer service.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Nicely made gin and tonics, Intimate and cosy atmosphere, Nice romantic décor, Friendly service, Ideal for a romantic rendezvous
CONS: More expensive than your average pub and bar, Awkward spacing issue in mens toilet
MUST TRY: Revisiting to try the restaurant upstairs or bar menu
DAMAGE: $48 for two (drinks only)
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Welcome to The Red Door

Bellini white peach puree and prosecco ($16), Hendricks Gin & Tonic with fresh cucumber ($11)

2009 Fairbank Rose Bendigo Vic ($10), Tanqueray 10 Gin & Tonic with fresh pink grapefruit ($11)

Bill $48 for two

Cute menu illustrations

Vodka and Gin menu

Bubbles of trouble

Wine by the glass


Bar seating and decor

Bar service area

Restaurant upstairs — looks quite nice although haven't tried the food

Very awkward access to cubicle next to wall urinal — precarious and unfortunate tight squeeze if someone is standing there

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Gin Palace: Cocktails, Melbourne CBD (24 April 2010)

10 Russell Place, Melbourne VIC 3000
http://www.ginpalace.com.au



For the gin lover

If you're a lover of having cocktails in dimly lit and atmospheric decor abound with rich colours then the Gin Palace just might be your kind of drinking hole which seems to draw me back each time I visit Melbourne. It's probably because I'm a Gin & Tonic sort of guy and remembered this was one of the first places I noticed where they spent the time to rim the glass with lime for my Gin & Tonic which provided extra zing to the lips and palate. I'm a little hazy on the finer details of the drinks I ordered this time round and the prices but I do remember they always seem to take great pride in preparing their cocktails and making sure their customers are well catered for in their preference to how they like their drinks made.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Nice decor and romantic lighting, Wide variety of gins, Good selection of cocktails, Passionate and knowledgeable bar staff
CONS: Not the cheapest place around town
MUST TRY: Gin & Tonic, Revisiting on my next Melbourne trip
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Gin & Tonic
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Scorpian cocktail: Barcadi Rum, Cognas, Fresh Lemon and Orange Juice, Almond Syrup & Home Made Grenadine ($20)

Classic vodka martini with olive

Classic vodka martini with a lemon twist

Martinis menu

Classic cocktails

Lush cushion decor

Table candle lights

Seating and decor

Well stocked bar

Cushion logo

Male toilet sign

Female toilet sign

Mens toilet decor

Street entrance


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