Vim, Veuve and summer nights

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, catching up with friends, celebrating engagements and birthdays, the odd restaurant review, BBQ and enjoying the some summer drinks from time to time! The lovely Cherry at Malmaison & Hotel du Vin knows me well and was kind enough to invite me along to the launch of Hotel du Vin’s Veuve Clicquot Bar a couple of weeks ago, and also to the official lunch of Malmaison’s summer terrace.

At HdV we supped glasses of Veuve Clicquot, admired the snazzy little domed canapé holders, and enjoyed some tasty treats like chorizo and parfait on toast. The Veuve bar is open Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 1pm to 10pm. The outside bar sells bottles of the famous fizz at £63, and a glass for £10.50, along with NZ’s finest zippy Cloudy Bay Sauv Blanc (£55 a bottle). You can also have table service for other drinks from the main bar too. My friend Louise and I had a wonderful time, so much so that I forgot to take any pics. Very remiss of me!

Last night was another busy one. My colleagues and I went along to the annual East Queen Street Gardens summer garden party, which is always a lovely event, and particularly enhanced by the warm evening sun. All of the neighbours bring along treats and nibbles. The highlight each year is – without doubt- the amazing parmesan biscuits that one of the residents bakes. Think shortbread textured biscuits , with a salty cheesy bite. Amazing and frighteningly more-ish.

Next it was a hop on the No. 16 down to the shore, to head along to Malmaison’s summer soiree. A big priority was remembering to take some snaps this time! The Mal’s West-facing patio couldn’t be better placed to enjoy the late light, and the team kept the glasses filled with vino and cosmos. They do a weekly BBQs on the terrace. Cherry also mentioned the rather tempting Champagne on The Shore promo which runs Fridays from noon – 10pm. Buy a bottle of prosecco or champers , and you get complimentary nibbles from the kitchen. By the way, this includes the ridiculously tasty mini Mal burgers, which I have a wee crush on.

I left just after 9pm (as the tower clock can confirm!) and the hotel’s stonework was aglow, thanks to the gorgeous sunset.Cheers, chief!