RSS Feed

Related Articles

Related Categories

The Rivoli Bar at the Ritz London presents The Tallulah

20th May 2014 Print
The Tallulah

On 20th May, the award-winning Rivoli Bar at The Ritz London will launch an exquisite and visually striking cocktail as part of its new summer menu. Served in an extraordinary bespoke ‘glass slipper’, The Tallulah has been created by head bartender Walter Pintus, and commemorates the moment in Ritz history back in 1951 when American actress Tallulah Bankhead sipped champagne from her slipper during a press conference to celebrate her arrival in London. The Tallulah is an enticing and elegant blend of Soshu Japanese spirit, Jasmine Pearl tea, Cinzano Bianco, geranium essence and PIPER-HEIDSIECK champagne, and each beverage will be accompanied by a numbered scroll, allowing guests to take away a little piece of Ritz history for themselves.

With its luxurious, late 1920’s design, the interior of The Rivoli Bar has been likened by TATLER magazine to a ‘gorgeous little jewel box’. Murano glass chandeliers are suspended from gilded ceiling domes, whilst panelled walls in polished camphor wood veneer are decorated with delicate Lalique glass insets originally made for the Orient Express trains. The windows, each etched with an art deco emblem, overlook the Piccadilly arcade allowing full daylight during lunch service, but with the lights dimmed, cocktail hour enjoys a more romantic ambience. The cocktail bar has an onyx marble counter lit from above and below giving the glasses, bottles and silver shakers a brilliant sparkle. Mirrored panels in gold and silver leaf, designed in the style of the 1920s Parisian artist Jean Dunard, cleverly reflect the light and are further enhanced by a gold leaf Art Deco ceiling frieze while, at each end of the room, there are gold and copper silver bas relief inspired by the famous Yugoslav sculptor Mestrovic.  A polished bamboo floor covered with Art Deco designed rugs completes the design.

The Rivoli Bar Drinks Menu features a selection of creative cocktails including many of the signature martinis and champagne cocktails for which The Ritz is renowned.  A unique and eclectic selection of classic and contemporary creations are mixed and presented tableside to the guest’s personal preference, including the novel Vintage Cocktails that are created with vintage spirits from the 1940’s to the 1980’s.  The Rivoli Bar also offers a champagne by the glass programme featuring a different champagne House every month and giving the guest the opportunity to try outstanding wines by the glass.  In 2006 The Rivoli Bar Manager, created the ‘Ritz 100’, a blend of Champagne, Vodka, Grand Marnier and Peach Liqueur finished with 24 carat gold leaf, in honour of the hotel’s Centenary Year.  The ‘Ritz 100’ remains the most requested Rivoli Bar cocktail.

About The Rivoli Bar

The Rivoli Bar Re-opened in 2001 after a closure of some twenty years. The interiors were stylishly re-created by designer Tessa Kennedy (for which she was awarded the ‘House & Garden Designer of the Year’ in 2003) from its original early Art Deco look into its current more luxurious style of the late 1920s. With seating in the bar for up to 44 people (and additional cocktail service in The Long Gallery) The Rivoli Bar is open seven days a week from 11:30am to 12 midnight. The bar menu offers a choice of Ritz Specialities – including Rivoli Club Sandwiches, The Rivoli Burger, classic salads and a Chocolate Fondue to share – all served on individual silver bar trays  for lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day.

About The Ritz London

For over a century, The Ritz has been the benchmark by which other hotels are measured. Perfectly located in a landmark position in the heart of London’s West End, the iconic hotel has long been the hotel of choice for Royalty and aristocracy, dignitaries and countless other discerning guests.  Following refurbishment it is sparklingly renewed though still retains the luxurious Louis XVI style interiors, meticulous service and the exquisite bar and restaurants for which The Ritz name is synonymous.

More Photos - Click to Enlarge

The Tallulah