Lunch at the Ritz

[G. W o l f f]

We used to live near her Hertfordshire estate - she insisted that all the fences were painted a particular colour - a sort of turquoise, if I recall correctly

 

[Tom Cannavan]

I think it was on Desert Island Discs that she was questioned about her early life and she said, "we were terribly poor. We had only three staff."

 

[Charles Muttar]

From The Ritz Website:

Entertainment

The London Dance Orchestra performs every Friday and Saturday. Under the direction of acclaimed Musical Director Robin Harris, The London Dance Orchestra is one of the UK’s most respected swing dance bands, entertaining audiences with an imaginative interpretation of the American Songbook and masterful recreations of the epic sounds from the big band era. Renowned vocalist Iain Mackenzie (the principal male vocalist with the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra) will be singing most Friday and Saturday evenings in our Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant, accompanied by a swinging rhythm section and horn frontline.

The London Dance Orchestra formed in 2012 and were quickly acknowledged for their ability to execute a style of rhythmic playing which supported the dancers on the floor and has kept the band highly in demand ever since. The musicians have performed with an exceptional selection of talented artists including Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Emeli Sandé, Jools Holland, Bryan Ferry, Paloma Faith and more.

Professional dancers Majella Presents performs a full, theatrical production that encompasses a unique blend of dance and costume to transport and immerse you into the past.

Iain Mackenzie is superb. Wasted on dinner though.

 

[Alex Lake]

Is the idea that people get up after dinner and actually dance?!

 

[Peter Sidebotham]

Is the idea that people get up after dinner and actually dance?!

Lor me how young are you ?

 

[Colin Wills]

The Saturday evening Dinner Dance at the Garden House Hotel in Cambridge in the seventies and eighties was the stuff of legend. I don't know when they stopped.

 

[Bill Marks]

My wife went to an interview for Barbara Cartland as a secretary. I understand she dictated her books and got through secretaries the way Watford FC change managers. She did not take the job.

 

[Alex Lake]

Lor me how young are you ?

To be honest, I love the idea of that with the right person, but sadly ain't gonna happen for me unless I'm naughty!

 

[David Mansfield]

Big fan of the Ritz , every department gets it right. Just go. If you are worried about the cost it isn’t for you. The best is never cheap.

 

[Neil Sellen]

Any thoughts on the wine flights they offer?

I assume Classic means obscure and not much cop, the next rank being obscure and fair cop, the top rank being unobscure but not really worth it?

For those interested in the premium (?) level. This from late September. Note that we had no meat courses by choice. We loved it and thought the sizeable bill was good value. No notes taken.

 

[Claude Kolm]

I am fascinated by Dame Barbara, probably the only author in history who could write a book before luncheon.

Georges Simenon came close. He would write eighty typed pages every morning; then vomit from the tension; then pursue his overriding interest in life, sex.

 

[Richard Zambuni]

I'm rather glad I triggered the Barbara Cartland sub-theme on this thread - thank you all for some fascinating and amusing insights.

 

[Alex Jagger]

I'm rather glad I triggered the Barbara Cartland sub-theme on this thread - thank you all for some fascinating and amusing insights.

It seems even more outrageous than the Little Britain parody!

 

[Thom Blach]

Georges Simenon came close. He would write eighty typed pages every morning; then vomit from the tension; then pursue his overriding interest in life, sex.

There is a slight difference in the quality of the final result, I suspect, but perhaps I am being unfair. I have read a novel by Edwina Currie so there's no reason at all that I shouldn't give a Cartland a try, I shall do so as soon as I can find one.

 

[G. W o l f f]

I understand she dictated her books

Reportedly while reposed in a chaise longue

 

[Alex Lake]

There is a slight difference in the quality of the final result, I suspect, but perhaps I am being unfair. I have read a novel by Edwina Currie so there's no reason at all that I shouldn't give a Cartland a try, I shall do so as soon as I can find one.

I shall check in our village phone box! Barbara Cartland's Etiquette Handbook sounds like it could be an interesting read...

 

[Simon Grant]

Georges Simenon came close. He would write eighty typed pages every morning…

Trollope had a similar work ethic — three hours of writing each morning before heading off to the day job in the postal service.

 

[Tom Worthing]

Is the idea that people get up after dinner and actually dance?!

I'm still not sure on the answer to this. The mention of professional dancers makes it sound like a show where audience participation would be unwelcome?

 

[Alex Lake]

I'm still not sure on the answer to this. The mention of professional dancers makes it sound like a show where audience participation would be unwelcome?

I'm assuming they do their show dance and then the floor is opened to the diners?

 

[Bill Marks]

Exactly the pros are very much an entertaining interlude. The diners are the main event

 

[Ed Plant]

Dinner looks to be excellent, but overall the whole thing sounds ghastly, a real world equivalent of Yvonne and Barry from Hi De Hi demonstrating the Foxtrot, before drunken diners hit the dance floor.

 

[Alex Lake]

Dinner looks to be excellent, but overall the whole thing sounds ghastly, a real world equivalent of Yvonne and Barry from Hi De Hi demonstrating the Foxtrot, before drunken diners hit the dance floor.

I would hope they wouldn't be drunk! But definitely a case of horses for courses.

 

[Thom Blach]

Dinner looks to be excellent, but overall the whole thing sounds ghastly, a real world equivalent of Yvonne and Barry from Hi De Hi demonstrating the Foxtrot, before drunken diners hit the dance floor.

Yes, but it's only for two of the fourteen weekly services so one can easily avoid it. It would be interesting to know how big the intersection is between devotees of haute cuisine and aficionados of ballroom dancing; I would imagine it to be quite small.
Times change, of course. In my parent's youth dancing during dinner was entirely normal behaviour even at quite modest establishments.

 

[Alex Lake]

Yes, but it's only for two of the fourteen weekly services so one can easily avoid it. It would be interesting to know how big the intersection is between devotees of haute cuisine and aficionados of ballroom dancing; I would imagine it to be quite small.
Times change, of course. In my parent's youth dancing during dinner was entirely normal behaviour even at quite modest establishments.

Maybe time for a poll!

 

[bob parsons]

My dear brother is a huge fan of afternoon tea at the Ritz..but no dancing!