A Martini with Oum Kalthoum
Enjoy a martini listening to Egypt’s most famous singer of all time, the illustrious, highly influential and incredibly powerful Oum Kalthoum. Continue reading A Martini with Oum Kalthoum
Tag: middle east
A Martini at Cove Beach, Dubai
Was it the coldest martini I ever had? No. Was it served in nice, conical glassware? Also no. Was it one of the most enjoyable martinis I’ve ever had? Yes – I’d go back in a flash. The Venue Cove beach is a well maintained seafront, pool, lounge and bar area by Caesar’s Palace, not far from the Dubai Marina in the United Arab Emirates. … Continue reading A Martini at Cove Beach, Dubai
Slow roasted leg of lamb
This is a simple recipe to make a slow cooked leg of lamb. You can enjoy a aperitif at the last stage of the preparation while the meat is resting. Continue reading Slow roasted leg of lamb
More martini snacks and canapes
I’m just going to leave this here… What could be easier than olives and cheese-stuffed peppers that you picked up at the shops on the way home? I particularly like the colour contrast of these two. Oh and the taste. You can’t go wrong with the lemony-buttery taste of Nocellara olive flesh, while the soft creamy cheese paired very indulgently with the sweet piccante … Continue reading More martini snacks and canapes
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier… Drunk
Who would serve a jug or pitcher of martini at a party? Oh wait, only Kim Philby, one of Britain’s most notorious traitors. I’ve just read a book entitled “a spy among friends” by Ben MacIntyre. It was the first book I’ve read in a long time that I struggled to put down. It documents the story of Harold ‘Kim’ Philby as he worked his … Continue reading Tinker, Tailor, Soldier… Drunk
How to make an Old Fashioned Cocktail
This is a slight departure from my normal work, but I’ve got a cold and was craving something less potent and more sweet and fruity than a martini. Enter the Old Fashioned cocktail. Apparently emerging in the early 1800s (it might even have evolved towards the late 1700s), this drink is a lot older than a Martini. It also has a reputation for being … Continue reading How to make an Old Fashioned Cocktail
Bar Arabica, Borough Market, 2/5
A relatively pleasant martini was let down by bad service and poor value for money. It wouldn’t take much to perfect their martini but some of the fundamentally poor elements of the restaurant will be more difficult to rectify. Nestled under a railway arch in Borough Market, I had high hopes for this Levantine restaurant. However, the service wasn’t particularly attentive, the portions … Continue reading Bar Arabica, Borough Market, 2/5
Egyptian Duqqah to accompany a martini
This is a simple snack item consisting of ground nuts, herbs and spices served with bread and some good quality oil. I’ve always been drawn to Egypt, old and new. It’s such a fascinating country with both grand and tumultuous history and I am delighted to include it in my blog with a contribution to the martini world. I wanted to write about duqqah, which … Continue reading Egyptian Duqqah to accompany a martini
A breakfast gin and tonic in the Middle East
Flying back from a brief work assignment in Dubai, I decided to have a gin and tonic to help me relax. I happened to be flying over Iranian airspace at the time, while it was also 7am in London. Thus two rules were very thoroughly broken. However, I think an early drink is acceptable when one is flying. It helped me sleep for much of … Continue reading A breakfast gin and tonic in the Middle East
The hot hot Sriracha martini
It’s a thing now. What do Thais and Texans have in common? A penchant for spicy food. I have a good friend, currently in Texas, who recently announced his addiction to Sriracha hot chilli sauce, a fiery concoction from Thailand. A US national and an Arabist, he has a very interesting career and academic background, with some very intriguing (and often hilarious) tales from London … Continue reading The hot hot Sriracha martini
The Martini Socialist 