Posts Tagged london
Hidden Treasures London
Posted by Volker in london, personal, restaurant review on 02/06/2009
A dirty Martini, or as Hawkeye in Mash says, a dry Martini that can be declared as a disaster zone is the perfect way forward. I did not know that Cocktails and Cocktail bars originated in the US, see blog about Dirty Martinis. The Savoy seems to be a very popular destination for that.
Now, last week I have been to a place that is known as “The Duke“. A gem in London, even the Times Online wrote about it. That is the bar, the famous one, where Ian Fleming got his inspiration for James Bond having his Vodka Martini – shaken, not stirred. I prefer Gin Martinis myself though 
Going there with a few (male) friends is an amazing way of relaxing after a hard day’s work. The friendly waiters with experience of handling and making great Martinis make you feel welcome. A discrete atmosphere, similar to a Gentlemen’s Club where you only want to take your best friends. Not any friends, just the best, the ones that truly deserve your company and the company of the Duke.
I mean, even Wikipedia refers to St. James as the area of Gentlemen Clubs. Not surprising as you find Jermyn Street close by with its fine suits, shirts and shoes, toiletries and of course pipes, cigars and other things for the pleasure of a real gentleman. Also, the Ritz and Buckingham Palace are close by, so you are in best company.
London – what a beautiful city. Every district has its own charm. You walk from Kings Cross down to Holborn and you think you are going from one town to another. From Covent Garden to Hammersmith, from Paddington to Victoria. Yes, I truly love London and its hidden treasures!
PS: for the world’s best bars, visit the website Worldsbestbars.com!
Sunday Column (12)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column, food, job, london, personal, restaurant review on 17/05/2009
Time seems to fly quicker and quicker. It has been a few weeks now that I know about finding a new job and the input I am getting from conversations is good. But, so far I have nothing to report…..to the public anyway. But I keep you posted once there are new developments and progress. I have a couple more meetings next week, so keep your fingers and toes crossed.
This week was all about Social Media and Search Marketing. You read about my Inbound Marketing strategy and about the Social Media Summit. Next week I am going to review Viadeo and hopefully find time to write more about personal development and coaching. Also, I give you my views on telemarketing.
On Monday I went to York for some meetings. Tuesday I was booked all day with further conversations, meetings and discussions about my future. See above, I let you know if there is anything to report.
Wednesday I met a friend after work who I haven’t seen for a while. He was in London for an interview and although I only saw him for about 20 minutes before he had to catch his plane, it was so nice to see him. It so makes a difference to see people face to face! The night ended in a work night out before the summit with a few pints too many for a school night – at least for my liking.
The summit, see above, went well and finished with a great networking amongst the speakers in the Albannach in London. Not only do they have a fantastic Whisky collection, they also know how to make a very dry Martini, using Beefeater 24 
As Hawkeye in M*A*S*H used to say “I’d like a dry martini, Mr. Quoc, a very dry martini. A very dry, arid, barren, desiccated, veritable dustbowl of a Martini. I want a Martini that could be declared a disaster area. Mix me just such a Martini.”
On Friday I had some meetings with my staff in London before enjoying a well deserved weekend. Starting with the finale of the season of NCIS. A sad and interesting end that will give hope for a “new beginning”. I guess it is another 6 months until the next season comes out.
I also updated my CV to find the right Business Development position in London – so if you hear anything, please let me know. I think a start up or a branch of an existing company that opens an office in London and looks for someone to build their sales and marketing team is what I would truly enjoy. Check out my Linkedin Profile for references!
Also, we went baby sitting with our neighbours, I had a great back massage and good food all weekend. Fingers crossed the weather is nicer next week so that I can do some stuff in the garden. Rainy, cold and windy it was. However, after watching the new episodes of NCIS on Sky, I am tempted to get Sky now too…..it saves me waiting for 6 months ;-( (see above).
Let’s hope for a successful week, hopefully more face to face interviews – partly with some bigger companies that offer interesting opportunities. Maybe, it won’t be a start up after all…more soon.
Sunday Column (10)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column, job, london, personal on 03/05/2009
What a week this was!
It all started normally with a “normal” Monday which was just that: a Monday with all the highs and lows of a day. Due to my continuous knee pain I cannot go to the gym but will see a doctor about that next week again.
Tuesday the news was broken to me and my colleague that our company closes down the London office. Whilst I was given the option to go to York to work in our head office, this is not a good option for me. However, I will wait for the exact information to find out what package will be offered before I make any final decisions.
So from Wednesday it was all about tidying up my CV and sending it out to my network and contacting some Recruitment Consultants. It isn’t really the best time to be on the hunt for a new job. The economy is in a recession, our baby on its way, and it was my Birthday this week too. But, I guess there is only one way: forward; and I am confident to come out of it stronger than before.
Thursday and Friday were pre-booked holidays. It was my Birthday and I celebrated into it with my neighbour down in the Tapas Bar in Beckenham. Out of my Birthday was celebrated with my friends of my Tai Chi class.
On Thursday itself I finally found myself a nice new jacket which did not need any alteration. So it was all good. My wife took me to the Mandarin Oriental in London for a lovely lunch. That was fantastic and brought back all the lovely memories of our honeymoon. Thank you so much for the day.
Friday & Saturday: My Leibfuchs Volker from my German fraternity Franconia Darmstadt came up to London for his stag night. I arrived home again on Saturday night, after a pub crawl and London night clubs…..not really used to that anymore. Neither the boozing nor the late nights. But it was really enjoyable and I hope Volker and the boys enjoyed it too. They seemed like they did
Today I am chilling. Obviously polishing my CV, preparing things for the anticipation of next week. With the bank holiday tomorrow, this gives me plenty of time to be in top shape again on Tuesday.
Here is what I looked like today at our Sunday stroll through the park:
I somewhat think it is going to be an exhausting night.
So, if you read that and have a position or know someone who does have a position as a Business Development Director or Manager, with responsibility for people, e.g. Head of Sales and Marketing or Team Leader in a larger organisation, please let me know. This position should be based in London. I am more than happy to look into country manager positions to start up a new VC backed company or helping a company to launch in Germany. So please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you and have a lovely Sunday night.
Volker
Night out in London town
I know, whilst I am more the “settled down” type, who isn’t really in heading out in London, a good friend of mine and fellow MBA graduate likes to show me around in London now and again to point out new places.
Here we go: Banburi – a nice little Thai restaurant that reminded me of Wagamama a bit. More the atmosphere than the food, because the food at Banburi was great. The calamari as a side dish and the monk fish green curry was excellent. Summa summarum only £35 for 2, including a glass of wine
Afterwards I could be convinced – ok it didn’t take much – to go for a glass of wine. As you know, I am familiar with wine bars in London, and just off Oxford Circus you can find one of the Davy’s places called Chopper Lump.
I had a nice French wine (I know, hard to admit ), a mixture of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tannat. Not exactly sure what it was called but it is their weekly offer, “Pelleut” or something similar.
Overall, a very nice evening. Thank you L. and hopefully see you soon.
Any recommendations for good food places are always appreciated
Volker
Wine Bars London
I was reading my Decanter wine magazine about wine bars in London. Not long ago I was looking for some and couldn’t find any. Thinking of Heidelberg and nice cellars with huge kegs and nice food – but not in London.
As you might have noticed I write a bit about wine, my favourite ones are red. Just earlier on I ordered Yalumba, The Menzies, Coonawarra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. The 2005 was recommended by Decanter but I couldn’t find it 
£25/bottle.
Anyhow, the 2 recommended places are:
Vinoteca – 7 St. John Street, London, EC1M 4AA.
Looking at their wine list, it seems to be definitely worthwhile a trip over there.
The 2nd one is Terroirs at Trafalgar Square, 5 William IV Street, WC2N 4DW.
Jamie wrote about it in his blog about wine.
Nothing of course can compare to the oldest wine bar in London, Gordon’s wine bar at Charing Cross. Unfortunately too many tourists and always busy but definitely worth a trip if you have not been.
And, Ebury Wine Bar also serves excellent French food! Roasted Garlic with Pitta Bread and a nice wine list. Not far from Victoria a nice place to take your wife for diner!
Catering for all occasions: Davy’s Winebars. The one at London Bridge, Skinkers, is the one I most often visited.
There is another one just off Leicster Square, downstairs. Unfortunately I don’t remember the name but I am sure it is Cork and Bottle. They have most of the Yalumba selection there to try.
Just off the Strand is another place. Between a bistro, wine bar and gastropub. However, I really don’t remember the name for that one.
As you can see, over the last few years I came across a few good places to drink wine – even or particularly in London. It is one of those cities, where it takes time to find the hidden treasures.
Pictures of the snow in London, Beckenham
Hello,
Here is a link to the pictures from yesterday’s snow chaos!
Amazing.
some pictures of snow in London
Btw, if you open the picture you can see my head Sorry, still learning how to use the wordpress.org CMS properly.
Volker
snow chaos in London
Good morning.
It is a little early, e.g. just after 7 am on a Monday. Meetings scheduled from 8 am this morning and I am stuck at home.
Not too bad you might think. It is warm, espresso machine working, breakfast, cats keeping me company, but I cannot get the work done that is needed.
Why? Because the public transport system in London/England broke down due to snow. Is that normal?
For over a week they keep telling us that the Russian Arctic sends us cold chills and snow to Kent. For over a week they speak about SEVERE and EXTREME weather warnings. And, for over a week, they could have prepared for it.
Why am I surprised? Because, born in Germany married to a Scottish lassie, we don’t understand that a few inches of snow bring the whole London transport system to a halt. All tube lines that have overground tracks are partly suspended and my trains from Kent are not running at all. Websites are not available, and phone numbers experience high amount of calls.
I believe for me, the worst thing is that there is nothing you can do but wait. Being a bit impatient by nature, maybe a good way to learn patience. However, the meeting at 8 will most probably be canceled. Who knows where everyone else is anyway.
Besides, whilst having a rant, SouthEastern which is my rail service provider, is having a monopoly in the South East. What I mean by that is that there are no alternatives. No buses that are running and no other train services. So no choice, really?!
I keep you posted, watch my twitter update.
7 am weather with path digged for the kittens to go to the loo!
Indian Tapas – Spanish Tapas
Just to add to my restaurant review.
I went back to this Indian Tapas bar in Soho, Imli, again.
Needless to say that it was good, again, and that I recommend it. However, things I did notice:
- the chicken meat seems to be from the bone rather than fillet chicken
- water glasses from Ikea
- wine glasses weren’t really wine glasses, more of a water glass, e.g. does not help the aroma at all
Your chance to try some Indian food with little effort, e.g. just order it like tapas, share it with some friends and see how it goes. You like it, order more, you don’t like it, don’t order it again. Tapas principle, isn’t it?
Btw, if you are in Soho, London, there is allegedly the best Spanish Tapas Bar outside Spain there too: Cafe Espana. I did not feel well after eating there although the food was good.
Nepalese cuisine
Posted by Volker in food, health, personal, restaurant review on 13/11/2008
I went with a friend of mine to a Nepalese restaurant in London, close to Euston Station.
Nepal is not the biggest country, however seems to be really nice. My friend visited it and people seem to be really nice. Definitely a country that is on my list, as it is so close to Tibet, maybe I can combine the two?
Anyhow, I have to say that the starter, Momo, a dumpling filled with minced meat, reminded me of a Chinese starter. The main course, garlic chili chicken with naan bread, reminded me more of the Indian/Bangladeshi kitchen.
It tasted fabulous and the wine on offer was better than at my local Indian. Definitely a plus. Also, it might be to note that the food seems lighter, e.g. not as heavy as a classic Indian dish.
Very friendly service and definitely recommended.
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