Jamming in Jeru – what a party!

Jeru Restaurant | 11 Berkeley St | Mayfair | W1J 8DS

Tuesday 13th September

Our plan with glam new Mayfair restaurant Jeru hatched last week and engaged our group of fun-loving guests. Lou suggested we should give a prize to the best Middle Eastern joke. Well, suffice to say, we canned that idea, deciding it was too hard – but Lou’s effort wasn’t half bad, although I did have to ask if she’d like more cheese with it …haha!

“Why should we hire the chickpeas to be part of our choir?

They could hummus a song!”

Now, something that is definitely not cheesy is Chef Roy Ner’s first London restaurant, Jeru; the favourite newbie for everyone-in-the-know.

Our lucky guests arrived at our private room, The Layla Bar, to find it boldly decorated with stunning art and the bar shining with over 100 glasses of glistening Prosecco, providing the perfect welcome.

Sensational!  And the treats didn’t stop there: we munched through the freshest Middle Eastern sharing plates, including potato fermented wood-fired bread, koji butter and truffle honey. Welsh lamb capocollo, lamb and fennel salami and Angus rump Basturma. White bean hummus, Goats curd, and Aubergine Baba dip – all so Moorish.

Thank you, Liv and Jess from Jeru, for being such welcoming hosts. And one lucky guest won the stunning prize of a dinner for two at Jeru worth £250. I wonder if his wing woman got the invite to dinner!

The room was in very good spirits, with at least 50 new people who were just such fun to have in the room and mixed enthusiastically with our regulars, which, as usual, felt like a group of treasured and fun friends.

Roll on our last event of the year, which will be in November. It has been a pleasure for Lou, Elsa and me to run Rendezvous this year.

Some lovely feedback:

What a fabulous evening!  Thank you so much for organising Tuesday’s event – great choice of venue, a lovely crowd and a delightful evening. It was a really nice mix, and hugely enjoyable.  Oh, and apologies for photo bombing your photo shoot towards the end – exuberant spirits caused by a super party! 


Thank you for organising Tuesday’s very successful party. It’s always great to visit places that we’d never normally go to, and Jeru was a fabulous venue.  Everyone seemed pleased to have the chance to socialise in such a sad week. I had a great time and met some very interesting people, easy to chat with very low music in background and plenty of staff who were very polite and service really quick so no queues for drinks. What’s not to like.  Thank you!


I had a very enjoyable social evening and thought that your venue really worked well. Everyone I spoke with was very engaging….I had pretty much dip out of the dating market as I really didn’t like the online platforms and much prefer meeting people socially which I think takes away lots of pressure to all.


Great to see you on Tuesday. Another successful Rendezvous event.👍🏼


I wanted to say thank you so much for inviting me to the event you hosted at Jeru last night. It was really lovely to meet you and I enjoyed the evening very much. 


Thank you for squeezing me in. It was a fun night and great to get out and mingle. Would love to come to the next one! 


Lovely evening last night lots of nice people old and new.  Good turnout Like the venue Bit different! 


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.

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Time to Disconnect from Digital Dating

Cosmo Landesman has become a familiar face at our social events and private dinners. It was interesting to read his take on online dating in the Telegraph.

As Cosmo rightly says, many of us have become disillusioned or downright fed up with online dating. Date fatigue is ubiquitous. Another day, another dating friend tells me they have deleted their apps. But we forget how when they first appeared in our lives, they seemed so wonderful and liberating.

But where could he meet that someone who would become his One? The One. What kind of someone did he want to meet? Would they want to meet him? Online dating sites seemed to have all the answers to all his questions and the solutions to his anxieties about finding love.

Cosmo Landesman: ‘Anything has to be better than another night with a stranger who looked nothing like their profile, listening to them bang on about their ex’.

Rather a lovely recommendation

Not long ago, one of my online dates took me to an offline dating group called Rendezvous. Here, I got to have a nice drink in a classy setting and meet lots of people. It made me question my whole online future – why was I spending time and money with ­people who, if I had met them in real life, I would never have asked out for a date? It was time to stop being desperate and become more discriminating. Or maybe it’s time to disconnect from online dating?

Rendezvous creates an environment where single professional people can meet without all the pressure of the online dating scene. Each party has the vibe of an impromptu celebration. Our regular guests are welcoming, laid back, but lively. Instead of the usual chat-up routines, everyone engages in conversation.

Our small team helps introduce people, mixing up the crowd to create a relaxed environment where you can be yourself. You don’t have to act or ­pretend to be someone you’re not the way you feel compelled to on a one-to-one date.

Join us at one of our socials

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.

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Our Dance at The Dilly

The Dilly Hotel – The Piano Bar | 21 Piccadilly | W1J 0BH

Wednesday 13th July 

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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.

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The Rosé Experience at 28-50 Party

28:50 Oxford Circus | Market Place | 4 Great Portland Street | W1W 8QJ

Tuesday 24th May

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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.

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Love Surgery featuring Cosmo Landesman & Rowen Pelling

Wednesday 23th March

28:50 By Night | 76 Jason Court | Wigmore St | London | W1U 2SJ

What an evening it was!  This must have been the best cocktail party and fun therapy session we have ever run. In the decadent basement of 28-50 By Night, we were entertained by former legendary editor of The Erotic Review, Rowen Pelling and former Sunday Times dating columnist Cosmo Landesman. They kicked off the night with frank and funny talk about Love, Dating, Romance – and everything you were afraid to ask…but did anyway!

A Rendezvous event is always something special. But this one exceeded all expectations. Great atmosphere. Great crowd. And Rowan and I had a brilliant time. ” Cosmo Landesman …. available for marriage!

As he says his most memorable moment was when he asked one of the beautiful lady guests if she would like to get married?” and she said, “Yes – but only to you!”

We sipped on glasses of the sparkling Villa Folini, Prosecco. We ate taste-tickling canapes including wild mushroom tarts, artichoke tempura with aioli. Honey roasted fig and serrano ham and rhubarb and custard tarts, prepared by Head Chef Kris Wysocki. 28:50’s team extraordinaire included Riccardo, Helena, Eve, George and Bryan.  And least we forgot the marvellous Jen Atkins Head of Marketing, overseeing the night with energetic enthusiasm!

Jazz After Party

And we stayed late! Guests continued to mingle and enjoy the effortless repertoire of the Stella Angelika Quartet.  As the night got later, there were plenty of people dancing, and quite some moves, and shapes were made! 

The vibe was upbeat and happy. Who would have thought that for so many of the guests, this was their first experience of Rendezvous.  We look forward to welcoming you back to our May drinks party and our July Dancing Party.

Some lovely feedback –

Dear Barbara,

I just wanted to say thank you, Louise and everyone else, for a fun evening at love surgery. Looking forward to the next event!

All the best, M x


Dear Barbara

As always it was lovely to see you on Wed. I found Rowan and Cosmo highly entertaining, I could have listened to them for so much a lot longer!

Best C x


Dear Barbara 

Thank you so much for organising such a wonderful evening last night. I had a great time and had many interesting and fun chats. 

It was so good to meet you and also Lou. You were both so welcoming and friendly which made all the difference. 

Warmest regards F x


Dear Barbara,

It was so nice meeting you yesterday. Your hospitality is amazing, I really enjoyed the evening. Keep me updated about any upcoming events please. 

Kind regards Z 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.

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March Jazz Dinner at 28-50 By Night

There’s something rather mischievous about stepping down a flight of stairs into a jazz club. With a seductive low-lit room, your eyes are drawn to the well-lit stage, warming up for some on stage action as the evening goes on.

28:50 By Night – is a hybrid breed, part of the successful wine restaurant group, it’s a budding newcomer to the jazz scene.  Setting itself up nicely to lead the charge for being able to provide first class music along with an impeccable food and wine menu.

Our Rendezvous Member’s Jazz dinners are a bit different to our usual stand-up mix and mingle events. We bring together a wonderful group of like-minded people for an enjoyable sit-down dinner and drinks.  With a backdrop of excellent music, our group of men and women (10 of each) enjoyed excellent conversation and a certain amount of sassy fun!


And it sounds like the members enjoyed it too…

“Hi Barbara,

Many thanks for organizing the jazz dinner this week.  I liked the format and had some interesting chats.

I thought the food was terrific and they did a great job ensuring everyone was served.  The jazz was lovely –I couldn’t believe it when I looked at my watch and it was after midnight!

Have a great weekend

A 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.

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February’s Jazz Dinner – Boisdale

Wednesday 23rd February

Boisdale of Belgravia | 15 Eccleston Street | London | SW1W 9LX 

It felt so convivial and decadent, almost like a speak-easy at our wonderful Boisdale Jazz dinner last week in Belgravia. Boisdale is one of those, you never know what’s going to happen, type of restaurants; you’ve just got to roll with how you are feeling on the night.  Spontaneity puts the fun and spice in our lives.

So, this is how we do it, a bit different to our usual stand-up drink and mingle events. We bring together a wonderful group of like-minded people for an enjoyable sit-down dinner and drinks and a good old fashioned chat, all from the comfort of those things called chairs.

Boisdale’s MD helps us out by mixing up his Single friends with our guests, keeping it lively and entertaining.  I move the group around a few times, without being too pushy, just enough to keep the conversations flowing.

With the charming Boisdale backdrop of excellent live music, our group of men and women, (10 of each), enjoyed excellent conversation with a certain amount of fun cheekiness.

To join the waitlist for our next Jazz dinner – please do email me.  They sell out quickly, but we will do 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.

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First Party of 2022 – Deal Breakers

Wednesday 26th January

Martinez | 49 Greek Street | W1D 4EG

What a way to start 2022, Martinez was full to the brim with singles looking to socialize.  We enjoyed mixing up new and regular guests in the wonderful Martinez in Soho; fun was definitely on the agenda.

Our special guest Sara Davison, The Divorce Coach talked openly about the importance of not just focusing on what you want but identifying the five must NOT have these are the deal breakers for you.

From Sara Davison

“Wow what a fun evening with such a wonderful crowd! I was honored to be invited to speak and bring some of my Accredited Breakup and Divorce Coaches to offer support and advice. 

January is always a busy month for breakups as the festive season puts so much pressure on relationships. I spoke about how to avoid the pitfalls of dating and shared my tips on learning to trust again after a divorce.  

Remember to have your list of up to 5 Dating Deal Breakers! These are things that you know you will not work for you long term in a relationship and are absolute must not haves from a partner. If they come up, you deploy your parachute and leave! 

I loved meeting you all and hope you find what you’re looking for very soon. 

For more information about Coaching sessions with Sara and her team, or training to become a Coach with Sara visit www.saradavison.com or book a call to speak to our team here.”

https://calendly.com/marinaky/10-minute-consultation-call?month=2020-09

Many of you spent time with her team so we would like to thank Lucy, Angela, Mick and Michelle.

Marvelous  Martinez

We loved sharing our favorite secret club with you. So many compliments on this plush, dimly lit space for its charm, mystery and intrigue. The nibbles by Michelin-starred chef Hervé Deville were hoovered up in seconds.

Their mixologist delighted in creating line-ups of vintage cocktails and much-loved classics. Members remember you have three months complimentary membership so you can drop in for a cozy cocktail this spring.

Thank you to the team Maurice Marshall and Izzy Lyth who hosted this unforgettable night.  I believe cocktails, conversations and camaraderie were flowing into the early hours of Thursday.

Single socializing should be fun, so don’t put the pressure on to find Mr or Ms Right. Mr or Ms right now will be fine. Join us to meet a room full of singles that will help you get back into dating and boost your confidence.

Let’s keep meeting people and having fun.

Some lovely feedback

Dear Barbara,

Firstly, Thank you (& Lou plus everyone else) for an amazing evening. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone, and Sara’s great tips! Martinez is a fantastic place, and everyone was lovely. 


Good morning, Barbara

It was a pleasure to see you last Wednesday. It was a great event and I met splendid people. 


Hiya,

What a fab evening: I really enjoyed seeing you again –  and meeting new people!

Once again, thank you for organising these events!


Dear Barbara and Lou,

What a fabulous evening you hosted for everyone last night. Such fun to see you both looking gorgeous and not a day older, catch up with old familiar faces and meet new friends. I had such a lovely time

Take care until we meet again.


Good evening, Barbara

What a delightful evening – we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Keep us both posted – it was lovely to be out and lovely to meet your sparkle.

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.

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Wedding Bells are ringing in 2022

Welcome to 2022, we look forward to enjoying a year full of fun Rendezvous socials – you never know who you are going to meet.

With that in mind, we wanted to share with you a gorgeous story sent to us this week by a former Rendezvous guest, we hope this fills you with joy as much as it did for us.

 
“I was introduced to Rendezvous at the end of 2016 and came to my first event at the Hippodrome in one of its private rooms. It was enjoyable and I even got a reading from the Psychic you had invited.  Her prediction is about to come true and the groom to be was at that event too, although more focused on the gambling than the girls and we didn’t meet then.

 

The next event I attended was great fun, whisky and chocolate tasting at Boisdale and the third was in a restaurant called Bernardi’s. I got stuck in the middle of a very crowded room at the same time as an attractive and interesting man who just made me laugh. He still does. Our first date followed the same week.

 

We moved in together in 2019 and we are getting married in March. I thought you’d like to know because we are so happy and well suited. I have never got married before (he’s divorced) and certainly wasn’t expecting to get hitched at this stage of my life. So, thank you so much for organising Rendezvous as we’d never have met without it. “

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.

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An Arty Party at L’Escargot

Tuesday 2nd November

L’Escargot | 48 Greek Street | Soho | W1D 4EF

How totally divine was our evening of Art at L’Escargot. Artist Henrietta Sophia Wallace enlightened us with the passion that drives her painting, sharing with us personal stories relating to her current collection. We were spoiled with canapes. Honestly the team at L’Escargot are food Artists. Our favorite was the delightfully delicious snails crafted from smoked salmon and cream cheese whose photo was shown so much love on Instagram. Tres, tres bien. Let’s not forget the tapenade toasts, Crab toasts, and the fast-disappearing cheese straws that went so well with the Sea Breeze welcome cocktail.  Thank you to Brian, Reda, Dom and the L ‘Escargot team.

Thank you to Sophia Henrietta Dunlop, it was wonderful for so many guests to hear your story.  Sophia has always been involved in the arts as a make-up artist/singer and documentary film maker. She lives in London’s Belgravia.  Her exhibition at L’Escargot is also available to view, along with her wider collection by appointment.  So please do email her directly on henrietta202@hotmail.com

A Wonderful Crowd … mixology of minds

As a planner of events, you might wonder how we put together consistently interesting mixes of people.  As the party starts to get near being sold out, we look at the guest list, as people inspire us to invite others who may not have been before or for a very long time.  Sophia’s wonderful art attracted more artists themselves and others who had extensive careers in hotels and hospitality.  The room buzzed with investors in start-ups and others putting great energy into sustainable ventures and, to saving our planet.   Conversations and introductions are what makes a party go boom!

Special Guest

Our featured charity event’s founder, Andrew Taylor, dropped by with his Black Labrador; when he asked if he could bring his cute four-legged friend, I immediately knew he could.  Owner of L’Escargot and old friend, Brian Clivaz, has the most fabulously eccentric bulldog called Doris and is often seen holding court somewhere in the restaurant, yes Doris, not Brian!

Some lovely feedback –

 

Thank you so much for yesterday evening. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming, and it was lovely to be out mingling with other like-minded people.  I especially enjoyed talking to one particular person! I think I got very lucky for my first singles event.


We had a really nice night Tuesday at L’Escargot and great to meet so many new faces, along with some regulars.


It was lovely meeting you on Tuesday. I thought the event was a real success, beautiful venue, engaging conversations. Looking forward to your future events.

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.

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