Nothing beats the feeling of breezing jauntily past the hassled crowds jangling their Christmas shopping nerves into a state of frenzy, than stepping into the sublime tranquility and elegance of a fabulous restaurant moments before Christmas. And so the hot choice on a freezing day to the wonderful Michelin starred Locanda Locatelli. David Collins designed, Tony Blair's local Italian - he even chose it for his recent interview in Lunch with the FT: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/52385c1c-bc50-11df-8c02-00144feab49a.html#axzz187WwY2YT
Even AA Gill liked the place which really is in itself a rarity, hardly ever do you see a favourable review from Adrian: http://www.locandalocatelli.com/web/press.aspx It was interesting to see a number of women dining with each other on a Saturday afternoon, which was an interesting dynamic for the restaurant, girl power lunches even at the weekend! Which also proves, how hard we are all still working in these economic times, even in pricey and delicious restaurants.
I mentioned in last week's blog that I would write further on the so called American-Anglo Special Relationship of which so much is written about in the media and whether it does indeed exist. Churchill popped up at the Spectator debate entitled 'America is just not into us - discuss'. James Crabtree, the Financial Times’s comment editor, deplored the way our war leader’s bust had been ‘removed from the White House’ by an incoming Barack Obama. It marked the terminal point in a relationship that once shaped world events. America was looking east. Obama had pledged to run ‘a Pacific presidency’. Crabtree repeated Helmut Schmidt’s gag about our alliance with the Americans, ‘a relationship so special that only one side knows it exists’.
Nile Gardiner admitted that Obama was no lover of Britain, but he reminded us that the motion refers to America, not to any particular White House inmate, and Obama’s mid-term drubbing had shown how poorly he reflects ‘the spirit and heart of America’. Our friendship was ‘the world’s strongest alliance’. ‘The Germans and French dream of the access we enjoy in Washington.’ America’s interest in Kate and Wills’s engagement, which received blanket TV coverage over there, will remind the world how much they love us.
Hugh Hunter, former British vice-consul in Florida, said the psychological differences between the countries ran deep. Americans were isolationist and profoundly individualistic. ‘How could there be a special relationship?’ he asked.
Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator at the Financial Times, likened the relationship to a romance. ‘It’s cyclical. Sometimes it even enters a manic phase. And because it’s an unequal relationship it’s always being examined for signs of decrepitude.’ The alliance thrives in three key areas: we share intelligence, we collaborate within the Security Council, and our soldiers fight side by side in Afghanistan. Rachman admitted that Britain rarely features in American foreign policy documents, but this is because we’re stable, prosperous and friendly; foreign policy must concern itself with dangers.
Mike Gapes, the MP and veteran of the foreign affairs select committee, deplored Britain’s ‘obsession with the length of meetings with American presidents’. True, we have a special relationship with the US but so do Canada, Mexico, Israel, France, Spain, Australia and a dozen others. Optimistically we exaggerate the degree of influence we have over the US while they nurture a hearty contempt for us.
Sir Christopher Meyer, formerly our man in Washington, put us straight on the vanishing Churchill bust. ‘I myself presented the statue to George Bush. It was a loan, not a gift, for the duration of his presidency.’ Obama had quite properly returned it to the British embassy. He disliked the term ‘special relationship’: ‘It’s a normal relationship with extraordinary troughs and peaks.’ Sir Christopher ended by questioning himself in Socratic mode. Is America our most important ally? Yes. Will our interests always converge with theirs? No. Should we stand up for ourselves? Yes. If we do, will the relationship be structurally damaged? No. ‘Mrs Thatcher showed you could have a huge argument [with Reagan] and emerge stronger.’
But his team emerged weaker. The motion was carried with a sizeable swing to the proposition. Which goes to show that the London audience could not be persuaded that the Yanks are really that into us. Perhaps they are more into their Ben & Jerrys.
Hugh Hunter, former British vice-consul in Florida, said the psychological differences between the countries ran deep. Americans were isolationist and profoundly individualistic. ‘How could there be a special relationship?’ he asked.
Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator at the Financial Times, likened the relationship to a romance. ‘It’s cyclical. Sometimes it even enters a manic phase. And because it’s an unequal relationship it’s always being examined for signs of decrepitude.’ The alliance thrives in three key areas: we share intelligence, we collaborate within the Security Council, and our soldiers fight side by side in Afghanistan. Rachman admitted that Britain rarely features in American foreign policy documents, but this is because we’re stable, prosperous and friendly; foreign policy must concern itself with dangers.
Mike Gapes, the MP and veteran of the foreign affairs select committee, deplored Britain’s ‘obsession with the length of meetings with American presidents’. True, we have a special relationship with the US but so do Canada, Mexico, Israel, France, Spain, Australia and a dozen others. Optimistically we exaggerate the degree of influence we have over the US while they nurture a hearty contempt for us.
Sir Christopher Meyer, formerly our man in Washington, put us straight on the vanishing Churchill bust. ‘I myself presented the statue to George Bush. It was a loan, not a gift, for the duration of his presidency.’ Obama had quite properly returned it to the British embassy. He disliked the term ‘special relationship’: ‘It’s a normal relationship with extraordinary troughs and peaks.’ Sir Christopher ended by questioning himself in Socratic mode. Is America our most important ally? Yes. Will our interests always converge with theirs? No. Should we stand up for ourselves? Yes. If we do, will the relationship be structurally damaged? No. ‘Mrs Thatcher showed you could have a huge argument [with Reagan] and emerge stronger.’
But his team emerged weaker. The motion was carried with a sizeable swing to the proposition. Which goes to show that the London audience could not be persuaded that the Yanks are really that into us. Perhaps they are more into their Ben & Jerrys.
So after what seemed like half a lifetime and excuses why not to go out like normal people on a Saturday night, the X Factor Final came upon us. Was it really worth the wait. Well indeed it was, if only to see Rhianna, Christina Aguilera and Take That completely upstage the contestants during their duets. Poor Matt bit his hand as Rhianna prowled onto the stage and ended with a semi, Rebecca was dumbstruck and stared at the floor, even completely mute at one point, in which was supposed to be a singing competition and One Erection (between the lot of them), sorry One Direction pretended they were best mates with Robbie Williams who was as wired as anyone on 10 double expressos. The only 'star' amongst them was the much maligned Cher Lloyd who took to the stage with Will.i.Am with gusto and was probably the only person who didn't bat an eyelid at his necklace, Will looked liked he had got into a fight with a Nintendo. The daftest thing was that 5,000 people made the effort to call into the show to complain about Rhianna's dancing, when it was hands down, the highlight of the whole series.
People do seem to worry their heads about dancing being obscene. When the most worrying fact of all which puts a bit of raunch completely in the shade, is that the future generation growing up now in the Western World will be many more times obese than their parents, because of the fact that they haven't moved around or danced at all and are only interested in eating and computer games when they are not sleeping. Perhaps Will.i.Am should have a word with them and break up their games and create a whole range of amusing necklaces and Rhianna can teach the kids to join her in some booty and daggering.
Aside from above, 10 other things I read, did and encountered this week that may be of interest or may be you would prefer me to shut up and you can go back to reading your new Heat magazine:
1. Bernie Madoff's final victim, his son: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/bernard-madoff/8196670/Bernard-Madoffs-massive-financial-swindle-claims-its-latest-victim-as-his-son-Mark-commits-suicide.html
2. Looking forward to watching the newly dramatic reworked classic Upstairs, Downstairs starting at 9pm Boxing Day;
3. Going a bit crazy on the Net-a-porter and Matches websites, anything to avoid the madding shopping crowds;
4. Great piece in The Observer by Jemima Khan on Julian Assange, very brave of her to put her best foot forward: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/11/julian-assange-jemima-khan
5. Wishing I was at the Marrakech Film Festival escaping the English winter;
6. Loving my new early Christmas pressie from a friend, Dior foundation brush, literally brush your face on every morning;
7. Haven't watched Corrie for a year, however, the tram crash was well worth it, what a drama, best line spoken by Rita: 'What is it with me and trams?';
8. Reading Rachel Johnson's 'A Diary of The Lady', hysterical;
9. Looking forward to watching The Way Back at the Barbican over Chirstmas with Colin Farrell & my favourite Hollywood actor Ed Harris;
10. Following Heston Blumenthal's recipes in the Waitrose Weekend freesheet - Lapsang Souchang Tea Smoked Salmon yum, yum. Think I will give the blow torch on the creme brulee a miss though!
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