Drinking Like Ian Fleming
During my recent journey to London I had all sorts of James Bond related experiences. They included a great walking tour courtesy of Brit Movie Tours (the motto of the tour should be “For Bond Geeks And The People Who Love Them”), a fascinating exhibit entitled Bond In Motion at the London Film Museum, and a cocktail at Dukes Hotel bar.
Why Dukes? Because it was Ian Fleming’s favorite watering hole. Yes, that Ian Fleming, the man who wrote the James Bond novels. Amusingly, after watching Dr. No (the first movie) he thought the character’s adaptation to the silver screen was a disaster. After 24 (and counting) films in more than 50 years, clearly he was wrong.
Rumor has it that Fleming coined the iconic phrase “shaken not stirred” for the James Bond martini while imbibing at Dukes. Dukes has embraced its connection to Fleming and his literary creation, as much of its cocktail menu has a James Bond theme.
Another reason why Dukes might be for your eyes only — the place makes martinis to die for. Or live and let die for. Or give you a license to kill for. You get the idea.