What do you get when you put together the effects of hard economic times and attacks on the drinking culture of the British? An unprecedented decline of the British pub, that is what you get. It used to be that the essence of British culture was associated with the pub. Today, however, this seems to be changing – fast.
The Star recently had a write up on what is happening to pubs all over Britain. Statistics show that about 1,800 pubs close every year. Considering the total number of pubs in the country, some may think that it is not much. But with the way trends are going, it just might spell doomsday for this icon in the British culture.
The article expounds:
The crisis is real for many thousands of vintage establishments, said writer and aficionado Jane Jephcote, co-author of London Heritage Pubs.
“I hope otherwise, but I fear it is dire for a part of our culture that has its roots in the Middle Ages,” said Jephcote.
“It may be that we have taken pubs for granted. But the challenge of making ends meet is severe for many. It matters because of the depth of history there – as the ultimate place for the British to be sociable together. That is what the pub is and was always meant to be.”
At the forefront of the fight against pub closures is the U.K.’s irrepressible Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), an organization founded in the 1970s to save the British tradition of small, regional ales against the onslaught of fizzy, pasteurized and mass-produced national and international beers.
Want real ale? Fight for the British pub.
One can expect to taste all sorts of cuisines in London. Being a melting pot of all cultures from the four corners of the world, this is but understandable. I bet that you have not gone to ALL the restaurants in this city. One restaurant that I would like to try – if not only for the food but for the service – it is Hélène Darroze At The Connaught.
Obviously, I have not had the pleasure of dining here but let’s take the word of critic Matthew Norman. In his feature article at The Guardian he says:
And so it is, this cooking in which Darroze infuses imagination, flair and absolute mastery of classical French technique with those self-consciously eclectic touches (Sichuan peppercorn icecream, for instance, with a poached apricot pudding) that remain so stubbornly in vogue. And yet, and yet…
The relentlessness of the faux-generous little treats (sumptuous beyond belief as the petits fours were, note the price of the cup of coffee with which they came) combines with the hyper-attentive service to make this a slightly unnerving experience. There’s an assonance in the chasm between the elaboration of the food and the clubbiness of the decor, and the decadence feels misplaced in these challenging economic times.
His verdict seems to be ambivalent. On the one hand, the service is absolutely perfect – especially for those who like attention lavished on themselves. On the other hand, the food is “sumptuous” beyond belief. My take? I would definitely give it a try, would you?
Although England may not be considered by some people as the fashion capital of the world, it does have a say in the world of fashion. In fact, one of the most happening events was held the other day in Downing Street. In what was touted to be “one of the most stylish events since Tony Blair’s Cool Britannia in 1997,” the London Fashion Week Reception hosted designers and models paraded their wares. The Telegraph has this report:
Bizarrely-dressed designers and models mingled with international fashion press and buyers, industry movers and shakers, MPs and government officials.
Harold Tillman, chairman of the British Fashion Council, which organizes LFW, outlined plans for the celebration of London Fashion Week’s 25th anniversary throughout 2009 and announced the launch of the UK’s largest-ever fashion fund to support emerging talent. His speech underscored the twice-yearly LFW’s importance in supporting both the £4 billion textile and clothing industry and the £40 billion retail industry.
Young British designers, Giles Deacon, Gareth Pugh and Henry Holland, joined a roll call of established designers including Matthew Williamson, Luella Bartley, Nicole Farhi, Betty Jackson, John Rocha and the milliners Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy.
Others present at the Downing Street reception included the models Naomi Campbell and rising star, Jourdan Dunn; the stylist, Katie Grand; Jefferson Hack, founder of Dazed and Confused magazine; the shoe tycooness, Tamara Mellon; Mrs Joan Burstein, founder of the London boutique, Browns of South Molton Street; Wendy Dagworthy, head of fashion and textiles at the Royal College of Art and Dr Frances Corner, head of College at London College of Fashion.
Indeed, this event highlighted the talents of British designers and models. The next time that you hear something downgrading the British fashion world, tell them to think again.
Though Piper’s is best known for its British fare, you can also feast on more traditional American food. Then again, you can always find that stuff in other places. If I were you, I would stick to the British food and enjoy something quite different.