The last time I visited the Rib Room at the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel, I was on a collective press dinner. These are generally events where you meet up with fellow food writers, enthuse about other people’s websites and kindly ask the people from the national press to stop spitting on you. I had an exceedingly enjoyable meal at what is a first rate restaurant. But as we were led through into where we were eating, the group was whisked through the bar and into the dining room which had been selected for the visit. I remember particularly admiring the slickness of the design, how everything glistened and the incredible number of varieties of gin they had lined up along the back. But before I could say, “Surely we’ve got time for a quick aperitif,” I was whisked along with the rest of the gang into the room. It has taken me three years to get back and in that time, the refined atmosphere of the bar has remained intact. The place has thankfully remained immune to ephemeral fashions, ersatz charm and chintzy chic, maintaining all the elements of good taste without making you feel that you can’t relax. The drinks have a kindly, old fashioned feel to them, given that they are divided up into categories such as Drinking With Dickens, London Dandies and a Taste of British. There is even one dedicated to those who abstain from such nefarious habits as imbibing liquor called the Temperance Movement. My companion and I quickly skipped over this particular chapter and dropped in on the Drinking With Dickens. I chose The Venus whilst my companion went for the Just One More. The Venus benefits from having jasmine tea as its base. This allowed for the other ingredients such as gin, sweet wine,... Read More