London 2002

The bar of the Hilton hotel by Trafalgar Square, focused on a wide collection of bourbons. It got a bit hype when it was opened, so of course we had to go for a visit. Just another Hotel bar.

Berlin 2010

My friend dj Borzin from Helsinki was playing here for a night of Balkan Fever together with Shantel, and there was a band called the Rotfront, which I sadly missed because of the huge queues outside. Later I received their cd as a gift from another friend, and they are actually really good. Balkan music really makes you want to dance, or if you can't dance, jump around, AND drink more! Great party music..
Lido is situated somewhere in the old Eastern part of Berlin, and when we arrived by the door, it was madness. Probably 200 people waiting to get in, while it was already full, most of the public really drunk, or high. I was supposed to have my name on the door to ensure a smooth entry, but we were too late for that, I tried to discuss with the bouncer, but he was already so stressed out of the situation, there was no way we could talk us in. Just when I was done with him, and he was closing the door, someone threw a half full beer bottle to the door, where it exploded.. Not nice, and by then the door guys were ready to kill the person if they got their hands on him. They didn't.
When we got in later, my friend recommended not to leave my jacket to the garderobe, while the staff might be even more spaced out than the customers. As I observed, they really didn't have a clue how to run the garderobe. We ended up playing fussball and drinking beer in the more quiet tent in the backyard, it was fun, though there was one rastafari, with reaction time of 15 seconds, who really wanted to help us play. I believe I was pretty hammered at 5 as well.
We took a taxi to Curry36, since I had read it is open 24hrs. When we arrived, 5.15, we were informed that they are closed for one hour to clean up, and then they will re-open. Just our luck.. So we grapped a kebab from a kiosk nearby(Not Mustafas gemusekebab, which was also closed) and started to plan of going to sleep.

London 1999

First time I visited the Ivy, was a night to remember. I made a reservation approx. 2 weeks before the weekend trip with my friend, and the only time we could have was Sunday night at 22 o'clock. Funny.
Well we had a rich weekend full of adventures. The first evening I slipped on our hotel stairs, and really hurt my bum. The right side was as blue as a blueberry, and it hurt. Can't let that slow down a weekend in London, just have to obtain the right medication. My friend really wanted to see a football game, I was up for it too, with max. budget of 30£ a ticket. It seemed to be difficult to obtain tickets in Soho, the guys at Soccer corner on Carnaby street were willing to sell us tickets for 35£ a piece. I was not willing to pay so much, and my friend was a bit upset because of that, though he admitted it is a steep price(That was a time when Pound was still strong).
Weekend went further, I think we visited the Comedy Store on saturday night, before meeting up with an old colleague for drinks at the Atlantic Bar. That was a pretty nice bar, of course, it no longer exists either. The whole building has been in renovation for over 3 years now, I've noticed. We wanted to carry on the evening together with my colleague's group to Chinawhite, one of the hippest clubs at the time, but since we were on a student budget, entrance fee of 20£ each seemed also too steep, especially since we still wanted to drink a lot too, and I persume the drinks would have set us back another 20£ each, or at least close.
So sadly we had to re-think our position in London night life, can't remember what happened next, but probably nothing worth remembering. That is often the problem in big cities, you have to have a clear plan for the night, if you don't, you will have to compromise. And if your plan falls apart, because of transportation problems, or face control, you will have to compromise again, and you will find yourself in an off-license kebab place to spend the rest of the evening.
Finally we got to Sunday night, a bit hung over, tired but with a sufficient appetite left. We arrived to the Ivy, and were seated just by the entrance, probably the worst seats in the house, but what can you do? We had a nice dinner, as a starter I had some Asian soup, main course I can't remember, BUT while I was downing my cappuccino cremé Brûlée, a goddess stepped from one of the booths, namely Claudia Schiffer. That was the first time I've seen her, or as my friend put it, she saw us ;) In my mind, she has always been the number one of the super models.
Well, we didn't end up to any wild party together with her, but I have to say even when the Ivy didn't really care if we were their guests or not, Claudia made it all worthwhile. And while our bill amounted to 35£ each, funnily enough exactly the same amount the football game would have set us back, my friend admitted that seeing Claudia was enough to compensate for the Saturday's loss.

London 1998

So here I worked for 3 months or so.. It was a nice experience, and quite a difference in the volumes compared to Planet in Helsinki. The most memorable things have to be; Somebody's farewell party, drinks 2 for 1, I still didn't really know anybody, with whom I could drink together, so I ended up drinking always two drinks instead of one. Boy was I hammered in the taxi back home! The evening when the two beautiful brazilians introduced themselves to me, The evening I got 150£ tips from an arab princess, the first time I visited Subway-sandwich store with my canadian colleague, and my last day, when we got a bomb threat call, and we had to evacuate the restaurant. They actually evacuated a total o three blocks, smack in the middle of London, the trocadero. My worst concern was, that my passport is in the building, and my flight is in two days.. Well, a cold beer while waiting to get back to work, soothed my nerves. The actual fear actually hit later, on the way home, when you had time to think exactly what could you have done in such a crisis, in a strange environment. And I remember strongly, how anxious I was to get back home in Helsinki, to see my friends again. That was actually a bit of a surprise also, how much you can miss some people or places sometimes. Well, now I'm older and my heart's been broken so many times, I don't get those feelings anymore. Life is...

London 1998

A long-time soho establishment, which is not a good restaurant, according to Time Out. Well, one day a sudden strong rain surprised me, and I thought, okay, I'll go for a cup of coffee in there to keep warm. There was a really cozy atmosphere, and I actually remember I lingered there for quite a while.
I had a Don Huonot t-shirt on, which says "Ruoski minua" and the bartender insisted on knowing what it says. For some reason I was embarrased to tell him. Somehow it doesn't translate well to my ear.
Well, while I was enjoying my cappuccino, guess who walked in, Emma Thompson and Tim Roth. Again, I was happy to see familiar faces in this strange town, and was about to say hi to them, when I realized, that actually they really haven't had the pleasure of meeting me, ever. though Emma did party later on once with us in Planet Hollywood, for charity, of course.

Bray 2002

The brasserie by THE Heston Blumenthal. My friend had rented a smart, which took us safely to our destination on an era before GPS. Luckily Ville had printed out directions, 3 pages with every turn & speedbump through the London city, then via Windsor to the small beautiful village of Bray. We sneaked a peek in Fat Duck, and then enjoyed a supper by the river, in an otherwise empty restaurant. It's hard to be a trendsetter.. I believe food was good, but the real treat which took me by surprise was my dessert, Apple crumble pie with vanilla sauce. When I got the first piece in my mouth, I was shocked, the pie started exploding and fizzing on my tongue! I guess they had added some of that powder, that you had with lollipop as a kid. Funny, and something to remember.
On the way back, just in Fat Ducks backyard, there were some beautiful sheep enjoying their saturday evening. I thought we could still fit one of them in our smart and bring it with us to London, to make some late night kebabs for us.. Well we didn't dare.

London 2002

Great Eastern Hotel, a beauty. Had to make another short toilet stop, and the most remarkable thing was, that in the lobby toilets, they had two different papers, double-layered and triple-layered, that's what I call hospitality! To this day I don't know if it really was done on purpose. I wanted to have the same system at home, but it is not easy to find a holder for two rolls of paper side-by-side, so my hospitality for my friend focused more in the other rooms, I hope they don't mind. I always provide toilet paper though. talking about TP, in former Sokos Hotel Klaus K, where I worked in Tony's deli on bulevardi in Helsinki, we had the expensive toilet paper in the staff toilet, and the guest restrooms were equipped with the cheap elementary school TP, I don't know either if that was on purpose, but I didn't complain..

London 2002

Belgo restaurants were expanding aggressively at the time being, then they had to close a couple, but now that I visited London in Dec 2011, atleast the original in Covent Garden was still up and running. Easy european delights in a relaxed atmosphere, and a variety of good beers. sounds like a winning concept. Maybe the problem is in combining the words concept and relaxed?

London 1998

TGI was situated almost opposite of my work, and for some reason I liked the Jack Daniels glazed steak they have on the menu. I went quite often to eat that before work or so. When I was in NY 3 years ago, I thought I have a drink at the times square TGI's, but somehow it felt so outdated, worn out and lame, that I didn't feel like staying there for more than a toilet visit. Partially surprising, that in so touristy area, in this concept restaurant, I was able to walk through the whole restaurant and enter & exit the unlocked toilet without anyone paying any attention to me.. Lucky for me I don't look Al-Qaida, especially since I flew in NY on the 11.9.

London 2004

This bar was already legendary when it opened. Members only, if not, you can make a reservation for a table in the early evening, but you have to leave before 23.. I really wanted to see the place, so I made a booking for us, we were allowed in, and in the empty first floor bar, we were seated on a children size two-top in the middle of the floor. Not so ravishing. Well, we went on to the bar and started chatting with the bartender, he was friendly and once it was revealed we are colleagues from Finland, he asked for the duty manager to show us around. So in addition to our delicious aperitifs, we got a thorough round of the house. I could imagine how the party could be quite wild in the red bar, but otherwise it must mostly stay rather loungy.. That I find is a problem with members bars, that you never know if there is a good party or just few people sitting in their table, enjoying too expensive drinks, waiting for something to happen.

London 1998

In PH haydays it was everywhere, even at the Gatwick airport, and our ex-GM from Helsinki was working there now. It is always funny how you bump into friends or other recognisable people on airports.. It happened to me last time I flew from Zurich to Helsinki, One of the extreme Duudsons flew with the same plane, jukka I guess, and I was about to say hi to him already, when I realized that actually we have never met. The most surprising bump was when I was flying to Florence via Amsterdam, I had 4 hours to stay in Amsterdam, thought I go to city and have lunch in Wagamama, when I felt a tap on my shoulder, It was an ex-colleague from Helsinki, now living somewhere in South-America, on her way to visit Helsinki. It always amazes me, what are the odds that of thousands of people and a variety of possible routes at the airport, we happen to be in the same spot at the same time! On the other hand, I'd rather win in the Lottery..

London 1998

Mash was a great new concept in London, and very Londonesque in the 90's, whatever that means. Great cocktails, ultradesign, orange(appeals to me), and at the time innovative kitchen, I remember a peking duck pizza. I had made a reservation early on, but yet I was granted only 1,5hrs for dining with my visitor from Switzerland. We were able to make it through two courses in time, though my frozen peach martini or whatever, was still frozen and half-full when I finished my main course. The bill came in a small envelope, and I recall faintly that my friend stole a small stone with a logo.. Can't remember what it was used for, but I'm sure it was cute!

London 2004

Here was situated a cool bar, with some excellent mojitos, if I remember correctly. We weren't welcome to taste them..Members only, or so they said. So we explored the lobby of this posh hotel a bit, it was on the cover of Conde Nast -magazine after all, Philip Starck design. I believe the bar has been revamped already twice since then, I guess not enough members, even in London.. Moving on

Reading 1998

Went to visit Reading rock festival, and before entering the area, had a lunch in this restaurant. I even had an old acquaintance from Finland living in Reading, with whom I could charge myself for a night full of rock. Main attraction was Page & Plant, that I really wanted to see, they rocked alright. Being alone in a rock festival isn't so much fun though, the only people I had seen before, was Bad religion, and they had to work..
The evening turned surprisingly chilly after the sun had set, and when the last band had finished their set, I was wasted, tired, cold and ready to head home in London. When I arrived, maybe around 4am., my roommate still had a full party going on, so no sleep for me then either.. Well life is what you make it!

London 2009

A moist Easter with my swiss rock star of a friend. Our hotel was located close to El Pirata,a popular spanish restaurant in the middle of Mayfair. Upon entry, the front door is covered with dozens of stickers from along the years, to give credibility to the establishment's culinary gifts. It works.
We had no reservation, but the corner in the bar worked well for us, since we were already on such good mood and well lubricated by some excellent drinkware along the day.. In soho we stumbled upon a bar, friday afternoon, around two a clock, and the upstairs was already full of young, artsy people who had celebrated since the morning, but still in a very good mood! They invited us to join them, while wondering why are we there in the same bar. Turned out they had just finished some art school, acting, maybe..? Suddenly the afternoon pro-longed and it was already rather late when we arrived in El Pirata.
So standing in the bar, we enjoyed a five-course-menu with a bottle..no wait, two bottles of wine. Delicious, and excellent atmosphere! Pirata nourished us superbly, before we took a cab to chelsea, where Chivas regal had arranged us an entry in a cool club, which name I fail to recall.. Probably changed the name anyways by now;)
Next morning we wake up in the hotel with faint ideas of how the night had progressed, our room was a mess and the electricity didn't work. In the middle of it all only an innocent looking Teddy bear was still standing, outside on the piccadilly a loud St. Patricks day parade was river dancing their asses off, while listening to some loud (irish?)techno.. Not the most optimal scenario. well, we headed for brunch in the Wolseley, and a delicious Bloody Mary made it all worthwhile again.

London 1998

There are actually quite a few AllBarOnes in and around London, and I quite like the style. Most frequently I have visited the location on Leicester square. It is casual, with good, modestly priced products and a quick service. Easy to drop by and the couple of times I've eaten there, the food was exactly to my taste.
When I stayed in Finsbury park, I had to bring my friend's REALLY heavy suitcase to downtown. It was equipped with wheels, but I hit the curb already on the first street I was crossing, so one wheel flew off. Hence I was dragging it through the city in 30 degrees heat. Our rendez-vous was AllBarOne on old holland street, or something, And rarely has a pint of cider tasted so damn good, with ice of of course! Though the brits never understand that..

London

2004

Yes, must be a nice hotel! Cozy with a pompous imperial old school English style updated to a new millenium.

London

2002

Wau! A Notting hill restaurant, club and a movie theatre with it's own private membership club, which travels to Cannes movie festival every year by their own yacht.
We went to see this rather boring artsy movie, which' name I can't remember, but I have to say I was amazed how a movie theatre can be done, when it's done with style.. Everyone had their own spacious seat with red studded leather and a stool to lift your feet up. Between the seats was a cooler for champagne &co, and a small tablespce for rest of the bevvies & snacks. When we walked inside the theatre, retrospectively dressed waitresses were selling snacks for the movie in small carton boxes; bangers&mash, fish&chips, pies...but no popcorn. In the back of the theatre room was a full bar as well. Lux!

London

2004

Okay, this one is not actually a restaurant, but a clothes shop near Covent Garden. Pretty hip clothes, I like the brand, but I have had problems with two of their shirts, so I have moved on.. Really close to the shop is Freedom brewery bar, which is pretty cool. The fact that someone is brewing beer in the heart of London, is kind of amazing, in a way.

London

cirka 2007

To be honest, I have no idea which place this could be from, but I can take the opportunity to reminish the brazilian girl I met in London in -99. I was working as a waiter in PH and I got these two beautiful brazilian girls at my section as guests. I believe I flirted with them, and they flirted with me, the evening went on, they asked me for some tips where to go out afterwards. I guided them and as I was retrieving the check for them I was trying to figure out a way to invite myself to join them when I finish work. Well, sometimes life is like the movies, when I got to their table, they asked me bluntly to join them when I finish.. Hell yes!

So I had a date with them at the old Hippodrome by Leicester square after midnight. When I arrived there was already a group of guys surrounding the chicas like guys do. I approached them after I had myself a beer, and as soon as they saw me, one of the girls ran to me, hugged tightly and gave a big kiss:) Talk about a warm welcome. So there we were for a while, having fun etc. The other girl retired to their hotel, but I continued the night in London together with the one, whose name I cant remember anymore, it started with an A.

We strolled a bit, had some tea and started to discuss the imminent future, where could we spend the night together... Now, I was living in Finnsbury Park with 3 girls, and my bed was too small for us two. They were leaving back home the following day, and their hotel room was apparently so tiny, that it wasn't an option. So there I was, trying to find a solution, but I gave up around 5.25 in the morning. We kissed goodbye and she gave me her phone number (no e-mail, definitely no FB in -99)and we have never heard of each other since.
Later, when I was driving the night bus back home, I remembered we would have had a double mattress which I could have placed in the living room for us to sleep together, problem solved. AND, of course years later I have realized I could have booked a room for us, strangely enough that didn't exist in young Harry's Playbook. King for a day, fool for a lifetime...