Staff Celebration - Dover Street

Helen, Sinead and I agreed to meet up prior to the restaurant so that we could all go in together. Helen had a hotel provided by work (Lucky Bitch) but Sinead and I had to commute. So Helen was in town earlier to check in. I agreed to meet her outside the Ritz Hotel at 1800.

We went straight on into the Ritz to enjoy a drink before going to the restaurant. Outside the hotel was a huge Rolls Royce with the number plate ending RTZ. That let us let go of any major thoughts of seeing a celebrity inside. But then again, you never know.

We walked on in and asked a porter for directions to the bar. We were told we were welcome to go through and to the right but sir would require a tie. Thankfully I had one in my bag for such an emergency.

As we walked through the lobby it felt as though we were a first class passenger on an old style cruise ship such as Titanic as door men stood either side of grand glass doors, wearing white gloves, holding the doors open as we passed.

As we approached the bar the podium host said "Good to see you again sir, come this way please". Helen quickly replied, "How often do you come here?". In truth it was that the host was trying to get rid of a drunken gentleman who was trying to gain entry. He had been told that it was a private function but it did make us feel grand. (Should I say Ritz instead?).

We enjoyed a nice glass of champagne in the Ritz bar. I wouldnt say it was so much glamourous as glitzy. How much gold can you cram into one room? I much prefer the bar in the Ivy.

Sinead joined us shortly after we had ordered our second glass but despite their being empty tables they insisted the bigger tables were reserved. We decided that this was unacceptable and so would move on to a nicer establishment.

Making our way accross the street and down to the Dover Street Restaurant and Jazz Bar. Bali was already inside and we ordered a drink as the whole gang arrived.

Speeches kicked off the thank you celebrations followed by a 3 course meal. I took the Pate followed by Steak. I was quite good making sure I drank water between drinks and thankfully managed to avoid a hang over despite quite a large amount of wine.

During dinner live Jazz played and then they cleared away some of the tables and a dance floor was made where they played dance tracks for the remainder of the evening.

I had to retire at 1115 in order to ensure I caught the last DLR home. Apparantly I could catch a bus home but I wouldnt have a clue which number or where from. Besides, what would one wear on a bus?