| Monday
May 12, 2008 |
| Wanted:
Ironically Inebriated Equine |
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I
know I said it was pouring with new
drinking establishments a few weeks ago, but
apparently I was just getting worked up over the
first little shower to break the winter drinking
drought.
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But
with the opening of The Botanist (a new gastropub from
The Empress of India chaps), Graphic Bar (bringing banquettes
and fruitinis to Golden Square), and a relaunch of the
ICA bar (after a two month makeover by Oliver Peyton)
all happening this week, it looks like the rain of intoxication
truly is underway.
And there's more. The Stoned Pony, the second
new
venue on Curtain Road within a month, also finally
let us in for a peek. Brainchild of Gerry Calabrese
(son of old-school cocktailian, Salvatore), the Pony
is a curious blend of West London 'quirky-trad'
restaurant with West End cocktail bar and club, repackaged
for East London with everything from taxidermal vignettes
to futuristic neon-chic and an apt car crash installation.
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With a solid line-up for the club, and quality
menus, clearly a lot of care (and cash) has gone
into the place. But I just can't help but wonder:
with more and more mainstream venues like East
Village and BBB, has the 'Ditch finally lost
its fangs?
The
Stoned Pony - opens to public Thursday
May 15
104-108 Curtain Road, EC2
The
Botanist, 7 Sloane Square, SW1
Graphic
Bar, 4 Golden Square, W1
The
ICA Bar & Café, The Mall, SW1
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COMMENT
ON THIS FEATURE |
by
AC |
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TODAY'S
EVENT PICKS |
Fingers-crossed
the weather holds out for Cargo's 1st Yard
Party of the year. 8pm-1am. 83 Rivington
St, EC2.
Free. |
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Artist-in-residence,
Mary
King kicks off the choral wind-down
at the Southbank. 6pm. Belvedere Rd, SE1.
Free. |
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Tim
Rice's Chess
gets the special guest treatment at the
Royal Albert Hall. 8pm. Kensington Gore,
SW7.
£17.50-72.50. |
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Last
chance to catch: Margaret
Ashman at Hepsibah; the AOP's Photographers
Awards; the Barbican's Martian
Museum. |
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Much
to answer for, much to give - life with a halcyon glow.