Sorry folks – we have to admit we dropped off here in our last quarter’s programme and missed this momentous landmark in our history on the date. However we’re catching up – albeit a month late – but better late than never!
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday, 18 June 1815, near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. A French army under the command of Napoleon was defeated by the armies of the Seventh Coalition, comprising an Anglo-allied army under the command of the Duke of Wellington.
This was despite Napoleon’s view that “Just because you have all been beaten by Wellington, you think he’s a good general. I tell you Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad troops, and this affair is nothing more than eating breakfast”. According to Wellington, the battle was “the nearest-run thing you ever saw in your life”. Nonetheless we won, and the rest is history.
To celebrate this event, 3 Waterloovian giants of The London Branch have joined forces to bring you an extra-special dinner to mark this historical battle. Andrew Brodie has arranged the menu, Carole Goldberg has chosen the wines and Jeffrey Benson has supplied an 1815 Vintage Boal Madeira at an unbelievable price.
Needless to say, the main course is Beef Wellington and we have discovered an English cheese for you actually named Waterloo! The majority of the wines will be the very best that England can supply and a small concession will nobly be made to the defeated army of France with a Bordeaux as our second main course dinner wine.
We will start the evening with a pre-dinner reception featuring the very best English sparkling wine – Nyetimber. You should be aware that our reigning Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, insists on serving this at her official banquets. So if it’s good enough for our Queen and Buckingham Palace, it’s good enough for the London Branch!!
Our main course red dinner wine is the premier reserve wine of Wickham Winery. Their standard wine – both white and red – is the house wine of The House of Commons.
Our special menu is as follows:
English Smoked Eel, Crispy Braised Pigs Head, Apple
*****
Fillet of Beef Wellington, Fondant Potato, Seasonal Vegetables and Thyme Jus
*****
Dark Belgium Chocolate Marquise, Griottine Cherries
*****
Waterloo Cheese, and One other (Cheese served with Assorted Biscuits)
*****
Coffee and Mints
By popular request we have made this a summer black tie dinner so do dress in England’s finest to match the occasion. Please advise Andrew of any special dietary requirements.
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Venue: The Naval Club, 38 HillStreet, London, W1J 5NS
Nearest tube: Green Park or Hyde Park
Mobility Rating: Lift access to dining room
Time: 7.00 p.m reception for dinner 7.30pm
Dress: Black Tie
Price p/Person: £89.00 members/joint members; £93.00 guests
Organisers: Andrew Brodie 07782 172 402
Carole Goldberg 0208 421 5957
E-mail: Andrew.brodie@btinternet.com craftycarole@aol.com
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event. Please contact the organiser for last-minute places.