Keep your wedding scheme alive at home
It's no surprise couples often suffer from the wedding blues after their nuptials, but with peak wedding...
Georgina Cassels checked out the new Spice Girls-inspired cocktail menu at The Booking Office, St Pancras Renaissance.
Having come of age during the peak Spice era, I'll always have a soft spot for Posh, Baby, Ginger, Sporty and Scary. So, when the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London's Booking Office, which happens to be one of my favourite hangouts (it being virtually next door to my bessie's flat and a speedy six-minute train ride from my place), invited me to trial its new cocktail menu, created in celebration of this year's most coveted reunion tour, I was there like a shot (or, you know, in six minutes).
For those who aren't fluent in all things Spice, the Wannabe video was shot on location at this hotel, with the quintet cavorting up and down its feature Grand Staircase. London hens can now stage their very own Brit Pop shoot here thanks to the newly launched Wannabe Suite package, which includes private access to this very backdrop, themed props, a cocktail masterclass and a night in a Chamber Grand Junior Suite.
About those cocktails – naturally, I drafted in my bae to help taste test – and, upon being handed the menu, she plumped instantly for the 'Posh On The Rocks', a combination of citrus vodka, elderflower and gold leaf petals, served in an elegant coup with an impressive ice sphere. And, although you won't see me in a Union Jack minidress anytime soon, the Ginger Kick's Campari, Aperol, citrus and ginger beer combo caught my eye. The vote for truffle and aged parmesan fries and a cured British meat board from the bar snacks menu was unanimous – and my, would I order that again and again. Delicious.
Stomachs suitably lined, we decided in the interests of fairness to sample another cocktail each – the Bloody Scary had me at 'leopard print garnish' and I stifled a giggle as my sport refusnik mate gainfully requested the football-themed Good Sport even though it probably wasn't what she really, really wanted (admittedly, it has the advantage of alcohol over the virgin Baby Colada). Both were proclaimed as quaffable as they are stylish – and The Booking Office's soaring Gothic arches and chic surrounds always adds the special to any occasion.
Re-spiced cocktails, priced from £14 at The Booking Office. The Wannabe Suite package costs from £659 based on three overnight guests. For more information, visit www.stpancraslondon.com