Drinks by the Pool, Porn Stars at the Dinner Table

There’s a great spot in London where life is always a beach. The Haymarket Hotel has a fancy bar right by the gigantic pool. We had drinks in a side room, but marveled at the vastness of the pool room, the luscious sofas, the beautiful colors and twinkling lights.

After drinks, we headed next door to an absolutely divine Indian restaurant. Mint Leaf is dark, exotic and oddly familiar. Contrary to Hakkasan (scroll down), Mint Leaf felt more established, more comfortable in its own skin, less inclined to show off. I loved it and we lingered a long while. Of course, the lingering could have had something to do with the seven porn stars that graced our table. Porn star cocktails, that is. This tart mix of vanilla vodka, passion fruit, passao and a side shot of champagne nicely complimented all that spicy food. The photos don’t do it justice. Floating in the martini glass was a little shot of passion fruit puree mixed with brown sugar. Our server recommended we eat the fruit puree, sip the champagne and then sip the tart vodka-passion fruit drink. I wish I could convey the tart, freshing taste. I’ll have to crack the recipe and make them at home.