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Swing Mon Amour

PRESS:

"Swing Mon Amour " (View London june 2009 issue - www.viewlondon.com)

Review byTacita Vero'

Make way Ronnie Scotts and watch out Parker McMillan; Charlotte Street Blues has arrived.

The Venue
The location alone makes this new live music venue a potential roaring success. It’s positioned at the end of a strip of restaurants on Charlotte Street, immediately marking it out as a convenient post-dinner spot.

Charlotte Street Blues is located within an attractive Georgian townhouse. Down the stairs - covered in old black and white photos - you’ll find a large pool table and the first of three bars. The ground floor comprises a long room complete with a large skylight. A stage is located at the far end, lit by atmospheric blue and red lighting. Opposite the main bar is a row of seating salvaged from vintage cars - a quirky touch.

The first floor, accessible from near the entrance or by the stage, is split between a balcony overlooking the floor below furnished with tall stools, and a large back room with another bar, seating area and collection of paintings that almost make the space resemble a contemporary art gallery. Painted all over in vintage terracotta hues and maintaining a retro vibe with kitsch accents, this blues bar definitely looks the part.

The Atmosphere
The only question you need to ask is can Charlotte Street Blues live up to fierce competition from long-established bars like Ronnie Scotts, Parker McMillan and Ain't Nothin' But The Blues Bar? Well, this new addition to the scene certainly has a lot of potential.

Affluent Fitzrovians are sure to make it a regular haunt and you will already see a sea of trilbies, bowling shirts and Forties-style outfits as people get into the spirit of the bar. Fancy dress seems to be a part of the staff uniform, too. Ultimately, however, customers from the neighbouring Charlotte Street restaurants will be the ones to make or break this bar. And Charlotte Street Blues is certainly an attractive proposition for an after-dinner drink. Open seven nights a week, providing a mix of blues, jazz and swing, this place - already buzzing and busy - seems to hold all the cards to not only survive but also thrive in the heart of the Big Smoke.

The Music
The bill is very promising, predictably focusing on different types of blues but spanning genres like gospel, rock, jazz, soul, RnB and swing, performed by solo acts as well as bands. The "swing mon amour" nights on Tuesdays are particularly promising: gypsy swing, Chicago blues, West Coast swing and other tunes keep people moving as the musicians create a visual and aural spectacle. Invest some time dressing up like Lucille Ball and learn to jive if you want to make the most of the night.

Live DJs also play a mix of tunes, some of which have been borrowed from the Black Cotton Club and Lady Luck. Many nights offer free entry with others priced between £5-£25 depending on who is on.

The Food
The food here is better suited for group snacking rather than dinner and it offers all the comfort of South American cuisine. The starters (£4.50-6.50) include popcorn chicken, popcorn shrimp, crab cakes, sweet potato fries and barbeque ribs. For something leaner - if slightly out of tune with the blues theme - order the California rolls (two for £6) and pick from fillings like chicken and hummus, salmon and avocado or a tasty vegetarian option with grilled aubergine and tofu.

Also good is a choice of fillings served warm inside mini brioche rolls (£12.50 for three), with choices including the Charlotte burger (beef patty with melted cheddar and all the trimmings), barbeque chicken, Alabama pork, New Yorker hot dog, grilled beef with melted cheddar and lobster medallions with ranch dressing. The desserts (£4.50) are all about the Deep South with dishes like key lime pie and Mississippi mud pie - ideal after an intense dance session.

The Drink
The drinks menu comprises a few retro cocktails, perfectly in tune with the environment. They mostly serve juleps and the mint julep (£5.50) is their signature cocktail - they serve the classic version or their own Charlotte twist with fresh lime juice, presented in traditional tin cups. Other options (£5.75) include a tangy but sweet raspberry mint julep and passion fruit mint julep, all mixed with Four Roses bourbon. Other classic cocktails like the margarita, daiquiri and a modernised raspberry mule are also available, together with a list of house spirits.

House wine is available for £3.70 per 175ml glass or an affordable £14 per bottle and so is Champagne, priced at £7 or £35 per bottle. Alternatively, they serve a selection of draught beer (£3.20-£4 a pint) and bottled beer (£3.30) including Erdinger, Staropramen and Hoegaarden.

The Last Word
Charlotte Street Blues has the potential to become a permanent fixture on London’s live music scene. Wear your dancing shoes and discover what is sure to become the talk of the town.

See the original article here: www.viewlondon.com

Miss Megoo & The Yahmans
New Album on sale now!

Benoit Viellefon & His Orchestra's new album "Swing à la mode"
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