The Pryordurkins

Posts Tagged ‘brandy’

We finished our Christmas Eve outing with a stop off at the Three Tuns on Coppergate in York.  This old wood panelled pub has a warm welcoming feel to it as you enter the main door.  To your left is the bar where we ordered up a couple of decent brandy’s and we were pleased to have them served in proper brandy glasses!  Sitting down we spent the next 30 minutes relaxing, people watching and people listening and people commenting.  Three great hobbies of ours.

The bar was fairly quiet at around 10.40pm when we arrived. A small group of students were in a what looked like a snook at the far end of the bar.  A couple of elderly gentleman were passing the time in similar fashion to ourselves, but without the people watching bit.  The bar staff busied themselves, cleaning the bar area, the tables previous customers had just left and casually chatting to themselves and customers alike.

A very nice relaxing pub and one that we would definitely go back to.

Pryordurkin rating. 3 stars.

Tel 01904 623120

It’s very unusual for me to be in London on a Thursday evening, but here I am all alone and coming down with Man Flu.  I’m not normally one to complain or make a fuss as many of you who know me, will no doubt confirm.  However the hot bath I had when I got back to my hotel room this evening has only brought on the full effects of my illness and I now need looking after with gentle care and full time attention.  Comforting myself (being alone), I ordered up a bowl of hot soup from room service and to be fair to ‘The Bin’ (a nickname given to this hotel), it was actually just what I needed; hot, spicy and served up with fresh crusty bread.  All I need now is my t’other half beside me (because I’m alone), mopping down with a damp sponge, my poor aching brow.

I wonder if the mini bar has any brandy….

Looking for a nightcap, a colleague and I headed into Daly’s Wine Bar on the Strand in London.  Modern, airy and spacious we were happy to get served quickly.  The down size, was the price of the round.  A vodka and tonic along with a brandy (originally served up in a lemonade glass, before I pointed out the brandy glasses) came to £9.60, which was frankly extortionate.  They weren’t even doubles!  The place was quiet, (not surprising given the prices) and the staff seemed a bit vacant, but nonetheless, I had a good time chatting to my old friend from Croydon.  I would not go out of my way to return to this place though because on top of the above, it didn’t seem to have any soul.

Pryordurkin rating. 1 Star.

We spent our honeymoon at the 5 Star Intercontinental Resort Hotel in Paphos Cyprus (and returned again this year because we enjoyed it so much). Arriving in the early hours we were greeted with complimentary champagne to enjoy during the check in process and were then whisked by Golf Buggy, to our hotel rooms to settle down for a good nights sleep.

Waking early we started to take in the surrounding facilities and were delighted to discover they were very nice indeed. Two infinity pools formed the central point for the hotel surrounded by great accommodation. Our room had an excellent sea view where we could sit on our balcony watching the sun set over the Mediterranean while downing the complimentary wine left our for us on arrival. A massive bathroom and queen sized bed with very good air conditioning had us set up for a thoroughly enjoyable week.

The hotel has a number of restaurants and bars and throughout the week we tried them all. Our favourite though was the sunset bar on the roof where we would generally end our days with a decent brandy, while listening to gentle live music.

The hotel staff are very friendly and nothing is too much trouble. A big credit to the Intercontinental brand!

Sitting within the Aphrodite Hills resort, the hotel is sited near a fantastic Spa (The Retreat) which we sampled a couple of times during our stay. Firstly opting for the Full Hammam, followed by a facial and then ending the week with, for me, a therapeutic massage and for Dusty, a Thai Massage (She stands on your neck apparently!), we could see why it had won one of the Best Spa’s in the world awards.

All in all it was a great hotel, with great food, great staff and a great relaxing atmosphere.

Score: 5 Stars. Last visited October 2008

Looking for a night cap after dinner, I found myself in the Grafton Arms at around 10pm this evening with some colleagues.  A busy little place; it was full of people as we arrived.  A selection of beers was on offer at this Greene King venue and while my colleagues ordered up a few real ales I went for the brandy.  A wooden floored pub, with high and low tables with seating to match we found the time quickly pass by.  What was surprising however, was them calling time at 11pm and throwing us out by 11:15pm.  No airs or graces in evidence just brutal “you’re not welcome anymore get out” type language.  A shame to what would have otherwise being a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours.  Will try and avoid in future.

Rating. 0 Stars.

There were two significant downsides to the restaurant however.  First, paper napkins.  I so hate these things, words can simply not portray my wrath.  Secondly, the temperature.  In what was the hottest day so far in London, this restaurant was way too hot bordering on the uncomfortable.  Some potential customers turned around at the door when the realised just how hot this place was.  Me thinks the air conditioning (if it existed) needs a very good servicing.

Back to the food.  Our starters arrived quickly and mine was OK.   My main dish however was very good.  A sort of chicken, chili sprinkled carbonara.  Good portion size and good value.

Finishing off. In the name of research only I ordered up desert.  A honeycomb cheesecake (£4.25 – brake brothers I think) which went down quickly with a double espresso (£1.95) and complimentary brandy thrown in by the manager.

All in all a good restaurant with good value food, great service but poor air conditioning and paper napkins.

Rating 2 Stars.

We stayed at the Intercontinental Park Lane, London over the weekend to celebrate Dusty’s birthday and to take in some sight seeing and a show. The hotel is in a great spot, overlooking Hyde Park Corner, Buckingham Palace and at the start of Park Lane, which after a very short walk takes you to the heart of the West End. The hotel has just undergone a major refurbishment and it shows. Since we visited last time, it has certainly freshened up and there are many nice features now to be seen in and around the rooms, lobby, club floor and restaurant. We stayed in an executive room with access to the Intercontinental Club Floor, where we spent many an hour sipping the complimentary champagne, fine wines and the odd decent brandy, while nibbling the snacks freely available. The scones with jam and cream were particularly nice!

The room was very nice indeed with good air conditioning and a decent Bang & Olufsen TV and Bose sound system. The bathroom although small, was stylish and clean. The bed was very comfortable except for the pillows, which were large but the type that don’t really support your neck properly. The only complaint is that they were not able to offer any other choices, which was disapointing.

Breakfast was first class, excellent quality with great selections being available but slightly let down by the generally miserable staff.

All in all, a very nice hotel with very nice food, let down slightly by its poor bedroom pillows and generally miserable staff.

Score 4 Stars. Visited December 2007.