To celebrate Mothers’ Day, we invited two great St James’s neighbours to join us in our cellars: Lock & Co. Hatters and Floris (also Royal Warrant holders and old established family companies). The day was an extravaganza for the senses!

Shelagh Foyle, bespoke perfumer for Floris gave the first private launch of two forthcoming fragrances, ‘Royal Arms’ in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee and ‘Victorious’ in celebration of the Olympics. Sylvia Fletcher, the ladies couture hat designer for Lock & Co. Hatters, treated us to the first private viewing of her Spring collection and Lisa Redman, couture’s best kept secret in the UK, provided her sensationally stylish Spring and Summer day and evening collection.

The conclusion was a fantastic food and wine matching luncheon in the Napoleon Cellar. The most highly voted successful Spring matches were:

2009 Tres Olmos Classic, Bodegas Garciarevalo, Rueda
with Baby spinach & wild garlic tart, with parmesan flavours

2010 Pouilly-Fumé, Coteaux Les Cornets, Domaine Alain Cailbourdin
2011 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
with Pavé of brill on poached young leeks, shellfish bisque

2005 Rioja Tinto, Finca Allende &/or 2001 Viña Ardanza, Reserva La Rioja Alta
with Seared fillet of beef, new season artichoke & wild mushroom

2008 Berrys’ Sauternes
with Tasting of white chocolate, passion fruit & blood orange