A set of pyjamas at the new Chancery Rosewood costs £1,100. Which is about £600 less than a room. They’re made by the fashion house Erdem and feature an intricate print inspired by the former American Embassy, newly home to London’s latest grand hotel. Were I rich, I’d buy a set — the pyjamas are green and I look good in green.
And they would match the Green Card, one of the signature cocktails at the Eagle Bar, a rooftop enclave perched above the hotel and named after America’s flagship animal. Up here, there’s room for 190 guests on two sides, east and west. The luckiest will sit close to an enormous gold sculpture of the famous bird sitting pretty on the edge of the facade. And there are characters straight out of a movie — like Hollywood lite — a big, bold terrace of extravagance, tailored suits and polished loafers. This is where some sort of king of old would speak to his subjects, not that they would hear him so high up.
As for the drinks, well, the Green Card is £120 so I won’t be trying one any time soon, even if it serves four. Which is a shame because I love the sound of rum, melon, coconut and pandan. I also quite like that the drink is “a tribute to those who’ve passed through these doors chasing the American dream… honours every visa granted, especially the Bartender’s Visa, the O-1, for aliens of extraordinary ability.”
Elsewhere the list is similar — though more affordable at around £22 a piece — harking back to a part of Mayfair once known as “Little America”, honing in on a special relationship, particularly that between London and New York. The Pretty in Pink is a pastel-hued vodka number that takes its cue from Mamie Eisenhower, the First Lady who, thanks to her love of pink, inspired a cross-country style movement; the Forever Young blends Islay whisky with flavours of oloroso and maple, a nostalgic nod to Oscar Wilde’s unwrinkled anti-hero.
There aren’t many rooftop bars in Mayfair and none — until now — that are particularly good. But given the prices, it might be one for the scrapbook, or for someone else’s credit card, which might also get you those pyjamas.
30 Grosvenor Square, London W1K; rosewoodhotels.com
Bar snacks
Glenfiddich
Aston Martin limited edition, waitrosecellar.com
Glenfiddich has released a new limited-edition single malt in celebration of its longstanding partnership with the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. The new 16-year-old scotch has been crafted from a marriage of American oak wine casks, new barrels and second-fill bourbon casks. The result, say the makers, “is a whisky with hints of maple, caramelised ginger and Chantilly cream”. It’s a fair old whack at £75, but would be a winner for Christmas, especially for F1 fans.
Forza Wine
Manette Street, W1, forzawine.com
Good news everyone: Forza Wine is coming to Soho in February next year. The team has taken the old Daroco site, which includes a dining room, terrace and bar space below. We don’t know much about what’s coming but hopefully it’ll be the best of what’s come before — Italianinspired food, a list of lowintervention wines and lots of negroni slushies. And, of course, Custardos (espresso with custard), one of London’s greatest ways to end a meal.
