I met Rose above the Tottenham Court Road Station at half six for dinner, when suddenly, Patrick Jensen showed up, heads above the crowd, with Sarah, his new fiancé. Patrick, one of my favorite people, was in Rose’s group in Theatrino and our paths had crossed often (though not often enough). Patrick said he would only read this if I said nice things about him. So Patrick, this one’s for you!
Rose took us to Six Stories, which is so called because there is a bar on the first floor, a restaurant on the second, then another bar on the third, and it goes up from there. They have an elaborate menu that they post onto pages of old books. Sitting there, it felt like no time had passed. As Patrick matched random sentences found in the back of the book-menu to random drinks, it felt like we were in a bar in Rome enjoying each other’s company.
My first drink was a minty gin cocktail that tasted like when you walk under a mister (that thing that mists water on you on an outdoor patio) on a hot Caribbean island. Patrick had PB&J— a peanut butter infused vodka cocktail served in a mini black honey pot with a small wooden spoon of jam balanced on top. Cat, a friend of Rose’s from work, and her two friends joined us, but when they sat down with their cocktails (and the bonus shot they were given because the cocktail hadn’t been made properly) they looked confused. Everyone agreed that their drinks tasted awful (we all had to try it in spite of the warning). About 20 minutes later, the bartender came over and told them that they had made the recipe exactly as described on the menu, and the girls were right! It was disgusting! They were given other drinks and everyone was happy (including Patrick who enjoyed the gross shots). Rose’s second drink was served in a tall black thin bottle and was made with strawberry and basil infused gin with balsamic vinegar. The girls tried it and thought it tasted like a fresh salad and ordered a round for themselves! I ordered a typically English gin with typically English infusions — pear and sage. It was delicious.
After the drinks we were getting hungry. Cat suggested a burger place around the corner with great “fish and chip style” chips. We were sold, but the description just got better and better. The entrance to Jerusalem isn’t obvious from the street. When you order your burger, you get to pick sauces from the sauce trolley— there were at least 30 to choose from! The best part was that you can sit and enjoy your burger at a table while watching what looks like the end of a wedding reception— people are dancing to music that was popular 20 years ago and taking selfies, hugging like they haven’t seen each other in years, all by the light of a disco ball and flashing colored lights. There is nothing quite like hanging out with the locals who know all the interesting spots!
Patrick!