Cap'n's Cabaret #14: Paris through British Eyes

Civilization at last! A narrow escape from Vichy Casablanca (thank god for those papers!) to Lisbon brings us at last to London, the city of foggy streets and eternal landmarks that, like the tower ravens, will never leave this fair city: Big Ben, Westminster Cathederal, and eternal London Bridge. But here, we remember Paris and dance like Americans.

Yes, tonight we swing while Paris burns, first at the fabulous Royal Club with the hot, hot, HOT trumpet of native Jazz legend Nat Gonella and his fabulous Georgians. The influence of Louis Armstrong is obvious here, but Nat swings with a sound all his own!

We'll dance the night away while Nat and company wail, and with luck we won't be interrupted by any air raids or other unpleasantness. Jerry's getting a bit peckish, I do say.

Then, we head off for cocktails at the famous Cafe de Paris, namely their signature drink named after the club itself.

But first, enjoy Nat Gonella and the Georgians, American sounds brought here to their national cradle:

That kid can swing, can't he?

And speaking of swinging, here's a cocktail that's all about the shake: the Cafe de Paris Cocktail! Gin and Absinthe add flavor and complexity while the cream and egg white give it a milkshake-like quality. It's like the milk of the gods!

Cafe de Paris Cocktail:

 - 1.5 oz Gin

 - 1 tsp Absinthe or other Anise liquour

 - 1 tsp light cream

 - white of one Egg

Add all ingredients into a shaker with crushed ice.  Shake vigorously to foam the egg white.  Strain into a champaigne flute or cocktail glass.  Should be very foamy on top.

WARNING: this cocktail contails raw egg white which the anal paran cautious folks at the FDA want you to know can be a vector for food poisoning. Consume at your own risk. Though chances of any infection from raw egg products are remote with properly treated eggs, don't say I didn't warn you. You can always leave out the egg white, in which case all you lose is the foam and some of the flavor. Still good, though!