Calling the Coolest Shots – Aquavit

Aquavit Restaurant. Weds 11th October.
In one of our recent Rendezvous club competitions we asked members to share a great chat-up line to be in with a chance to win a magnum of Mirabeau rosé, which reminded me, conversely, of some of the best brush-off lines I’ve heard over the years (being a cheeky sort of girl, there’s been a few!).

One I’ll never forget came courtesy of my bestie and partner in crime La Grand Blonde (LGB). She has a penchant for the classic Scandinavian, tall, lean, and frankly damn good-looking man and, given that she stands 6ft in heels herself, she’s not about to settle for second best. Being the annoyingly-good-at-everything sort of girl that she is, she can rattle off some choice lines that make even Swedish sound cool. I remember her chatting away to a would-be Swedish suitor before abruptly cutting the poor chap off, only to turn to me and announce “Well he was tall, I will give him that, but Inget att hänga på julgranen (“he’s nothing to hang on the Christmas tree”). And with that we were off into the night in a blur of blonde hair, heels and chuckles.

Now something that is definitely worth hanging on the Christmas tree is everyone-in-the-knows favourite newbie in swanky St. James’ Place, the freshly Michelin starred Scandinavian restaurant Aquavit.

It’s been on my radar since it opened in December last year, and some of us shared a post-event cocktail or two there following our fabulous Franco’s rosé wine event last April. Not long after, events star, friend and all-round glamour puss Bethany Russell announced that she would be heading up the events team at Aquavit, thereby launching a star of colossal and bauble-worthy proportions. Or to calm down a little and put it more prosaically…Aquavit (schnapps) was duly sampled (hick), a party plan was penned, and a date announced to our lovely guests to-be (that would be you.)

Come the date in question, all preparations perfectly performed, our lucky guests arrived at our private room, The Stockholm room overlooking the restaurant, to find it boldly decorated in arts and crafts prints and bespoke wood trim by London-based interior architect Martin Brudnizki (another Swedish talent!), providing the perfect backdrop for our boisterous and confident crew.

Bar Manager Jun had whipped up two fabulously extravagant his-and-her cocktails to welcome us with, all overseen by unflappable restaurant manager Paola:
Freyja (Girls) Petronella, Lanique rose petal liqueur, Lime, Apple juice and Egg white
Glat Buck (boys) Bouillet bourbon, Peach liqueur, Lime cordial, Peach bitters

Sensational! And the treats didn’t stop there: we munched through the freshest canapés including Västerbotten tart, gravlax on rye, Shrimp Skagen, Crab, rye and fennel and Onion and caraway tarts. Hmm, might have overdone the latter, but hey I was buzzing around the room, so I don’t think anyone minded.

To wash all those goodies down we were treated to a tasting of Sweden’s most popular Aquavit, OP Anderson. Aquavit is a flavoured distilled spirit, what the Germans call Schnapps; like the French ‘eau-de-vie’, aquavit means ‘water of life’. Delicious, but one more and I’d have been drowning…

Needless to say the room was in very good spirits. Cosmo Landesman was looking his snogalicious self and we had great fun hatching plans for new things to do; and there were 15 new people who were just such fun to have in the room, which, as usual, felt like a group of treasured and fun friends.

Roll on our last event of the year on the 28th of November. It really has been a pleasure running Rendezvous this year.

It wasn’t just the Rendezvous team who had such an amazing time at Aquavit on Weds, thank you so much for sending us such lovely feedback.

Dear Barbara,
Thank you so much for organising such a great party last night, it was absolutely excellent, fantastic atmosphere, venue and everything else. I have met some great people, fun, diverse, interesting and smart I really hope to see again, many new faces and some that are becoming friends. You are a  relationship magician and you seem you  gather amazing crowds that gel and have fun. What a great night :))
D x

Dearest Barbara
What a fabulous evening!   A great turnout, lovely mix of interesting people, beautiful venue and they offered delicious hors d’oeuvres (of course they would, they have a Michelin star).
xx

Dear Barbara
Thank you for organising such a stylish and fun event at Aquavit on Wed.  The venue was superb and food absolutely delicious!
Thank you again for a really lovely evening – it is always such a pleasure to see you!
A x

Dear Barbara,
Thank you for a lovely evening on Wednesday evening. I enjoyed meeting you and making new friends.  Please keep me on your mailing list, I look forward to the next one!
C x

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts

Goat interior

Giddy in Chelsea – Tuesday 12th September

Goat Chelsea | 333 Fulham Rd | London | SW10 9QL
Tuesday 12th September 7pm to 10pm

READ MORE

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts

Aquavit: Calling the coolest – Wednesday 11th October

Aquavit London | St James’s Market | London | SW1Y 4QQ
Wednesday 11th October 7pm to 10pm

READ MORE

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts

Smith & Whistle

Watching the Detective Tuesday 28th November

Smith & Whistle | Park Lane Hotel | Piccadilly | W1J 7BX London | United Kingdom

Tuesday, November 28, 2017, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM READ MORE

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts

Jazz up your January at Boisdale Mayfair, Tuesday 16th January

Jazz up your January – blow away your blues at

Boisdale of Mayfair | 12 North Row | Mayfair | London W1K 7DF

Tuesday, January 16, 2017, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM READ MORE

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts

Summer Loving

Summer Loving – Tuesday 4th July

Rendezvous Summer Party

Bernardi’s – The Dog House (private room)
62 Seymour Street, London W1H 5BN

READ MORE

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts

Francotastic Wine Tasting April 2017

Every year we look forward to the spring, the warm, longer days and Franco’s rosé wine list launch, unofficially considered the start of the summer season! What could be more agreeable than enjoying a crisp glass of rose accompanied by delicious canapés chosen from the largest restaurant selection of international rosé wines in Europe (seventy to be exact.)
Franco’s party is now in its 10th year and Rendezvous never being one to miss an opportunity is in its second year of our fabulous Francotastic wine tasting. A party of our very own in a private room and set up off the back of the launch party held the previous night.
Looking around the room and at the glistening pink bottles I had to think…. that’s a whole lot of tasty beverage – no hold fire (literally) I’m in the wrong film reference ….this is no Pulp Fiction of a night, I am certain there’s going to be some True Romance!

Franco’s director and restauranteur, Jason Phillips introduced the night and how the party had come about and the extensive list we would be tasting. Also giving the studious sorts a chance to answer the wine quiz and demonstrating how the Coravin system works, if on the rare chance you can’t finish that bottle of Domaine Ott you bought on a whim while flirting in the queue at Majestic; this is the gadget du jour!

Delightful entertaining and talented portrait photographer Stevie Roberts took the photos. I have got some lovely photos if any guests would like them please ask.

It was lovely seeing so many people travel in from so far and I’m not just talking The Shires, Brighton or Norfolk – there was Majorca, Monaco and India in the mix – you thoroughly international jet set crew you!

As the evening was winding up charismatic Gianmarco Franco (I’m always partial to a bit of Italian) sorted the quiz answers and we drew the name out of the champagne bucket – the winner of two bottles of rose was our good friend and Saga cruise Doctor Diane, she had already left to pack her cruise collection wardrobe and her Doctor’s kit to set sail the following morning. I’ll keep them safe, don’t you worry Diane!

Thank you to Franco’s wonderful team, you are a true credit to your business and thank you for allowing Rendezvous to be included as part of the unofficial start to the season…..Jason, Imogen, Samir, Gianmarco, Francesco.

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts

Love Surgery Tuesday 16th May Gallery

What a fantastic Love Surgery party last week; a huge thank you to The Playboy Club for hosting us and to Cosmo Landesman & Dolly Alderton for pulling out all the stops and putting on a very glamorous, fun and informative chat show. House of Elrick’s swanky gin cocktails got the atmosphere going, introducing a new Gin to our enthusiasts. One to one advice was shared by our resident love experts in the form of Date Coach Ané Auret and a throng of Matchmakers from posh agency The Vida Consultancy. The goodie bags disappeared in minutes stuffed with Chocolate’s from Artisan du Chocolat, a must have Champagne offer from Franco’s Restaurant, a copy of the new magazine on the block; The Amorist and the best bed side table book Icons by Coco de Mer.
Photo credits to the effervescent Mr Stevie Roberts.

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts

Love Surgery 16th May

 

Join former Sunday Times It’s a Date columnists Cosmo Landesman & Dolly Alderton for a sit down treat of hilarious and edifying chitchat on all things dating, where we can share our most amusing or outrageous dating tips, disasters and nightmares.

Twice married, currently divorced Cosmo,62, has five failed proposals behind him and a lifetime of anecdotes and life lessons, while his blonde, short-skirted sparring partner Dolly, 27, already has a rich history of liaisons under her (suspender?) belt.

Their great on-page chemistry translates brilliantly in the flesh, making the Love Surgery a must for daters.  Watch the movie from our last event.   Film stars – I’m sorry, but we won’t be filming this years event.

Location & what’s included

Ticket price includes a welcome cocktail; seated Love Surgery fun and delicious with canapés.

At 9pm as the event draws to a close, we have a private area with a paying bar in The Playboy Club’s stunning room.

Guests

Cosmo being 62 and Dolly 28 makes this perfect joint Vida8/Rendezvous joint event, so expect a group of varied ages.

Date: Tuesday, 16th May, 2017

Party Size: 85

Time: 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Cost: Members £80 male/female, single £50 - Non-Members £100 male/female

Dress code: Elegant Smart

Whats included: a welcome cocktail; seated Love Surgery fun and delicious with canapés.

Book tickets

Password: Love

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts

Suits you Sir – Tuesday 21st March

Once upon a time at an event long long ago…actually it was a Thomas Dakin Gin tasting at Bar 20 to be exact. One of our guests remarked that a certain Rendezvous guest the dapper Jonathan should start his own Instagram account, and thus The Dapper Cad was born.
Zip forward a year and Jonathan is more dapper than ever and we’re delighted to have him co-hosting an event designed to get our Rendezvous men Suiting us all Sir.
Upmarket Dutch Tailoring company Suitsupply are our hosts, they create the sort of pieces that should be in every man’s wardrobe – smart enough, trendy enough and definitely dapper enough. And the price is ridiculously reasonable for a tailored product.
Jonathan will be choosing six of our Rendezvous guests to have a style make over. Yes sir, no sir, definitely suits you sir.

If you are a man who would like to take part or you have a male friend who you’d like to nominate to take part, please email us on Barbara@rendezvous-london.com
The audience will be choosing their favourite of the six makeovers and the winning man/look will win a new suit jacket – very kindly supplied by Suitsupply
Any purchases on the night above £100 will receive a free tie valued at £50.

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

More Posts