Christmas Canapes Elite Event @ Hotel du Vin

Eh… what? Christmas? But it’s October! What are you on about? Christmas Canapes? No! This can’t be right. Alas it was indeed an extremely early Christmas event.
It felt weird, I was struggling to cope with the earliness of Christmas coming at me. With many canopes and treats to try it certainly made up for the early Christmas theme. Mmm haggis baws!!!
We were given early Christmas presents in the form of the fabulous singer Roxy Stardust and dancing from burlesque performers with some drag thrown in for good measure.
It was a great wee night, posh hotel in that and overall great food, entertainment and as always Unilocal banter.
Thanks to Roxy and her fab crew, the hotel staff, especially for saving the day for Roxy’s backing tracks and of course CM Briony for arranging the evening.
Jings!!! I’ve just noticed I’ve had this sitting in my draft. Oooooops! Better late than never.

The Elite event at Hotel du Vin will not be remembered for the bucketloads of fine red and white wine, the dancing, the singing, burlesque performances, nor the nibbles of haggis baws and swanky canapes. No, people of Unilocal,because there was an extra special reason to be merry on the 8^th October 2013.
Ironically, this «Christmas Warm-​up» lived up to its billing in the very truest sense. Indeed a miracle occurred, just like on that historic night and it happened right on our very own doorstep, in the West End of Glasgow.
The prophets said it was the love between Angela B and Elizabeth F that spawned this adorable, erm creature thing. A fusion of potent red and blue chemical hair dyes, copious bottles of white wine and ‘banter’ creating this wonderful and mischievous green sausage like chappy, known as Grizwald.
From the moment Grizwald popped in the world he was the life and soul of the party. With his cheeky little smile, little green face and floppy big nose he charmed the ladies and and cracked jokes with the guys. I spotted Grizzy being ever so naughty as he sneaked up on people and tickled their ear with his big floppy nose. On other occasions if you turned away from your drink for more than 10 seconds Grizzy would be in there like a flash, taking a big gulp out of your glass. Oh, the hilarity!!!
Unilocalers took a great shine to Grizwald and brought him gifts of smoked salmon, roe and truffle scented soup. He seemed very pleased and grateful.
As Angla B and Elizabeth F were his legal guardians they took him home after a heavy night of fun and froliks. I heard he crashed and burned big time and was in bed until 3pm the following day, haha.
I can’t wait to see him again. Praise Grizwald!

A first class evening at hotel du vin with all the Unilocal!Elite’s, on arrival we where served a rather nice selection of wines, followed by a tasting of their canapé selection from this seasons Christmas menu pluses the strawberry liqueur.
The entertainment was different something that l have never seen but was very entertaining.
The hotel du vin is well worth every penny if you ever get the chance to dine here, the food is always first class with warm and welcoming staff there to greet you on your arrival.

What a great way to pop my ‘Elite event’ cherry! Was seriously looking forward to visiting Hotel du Vin (not least because my sister-​in-​law is getting married there next year), and it did not disappoint.
The service was friendly and jovial but not obtrusive, and they were ever so obliging (including running around to find a replacement iPod dock when ours gave out!), and the wine poured freely all night. I’m also impressed that they were going to let us have our run of the house for the planned murder mystery (which unfortunately did not go ahead this time… if it wasn’t for those meddling kids I tell thee!) Nevertheless, the canapes were lovely, the wine was great and the raspberry liquor was OMG amazing — my friend Natasha is still raving about it! When I mentioned to the manager my sister in law was to be wed there next year, I was given an invite to their next open house — how nice!
Also amazing job on the last minute Christmas entertainment!
Seriously impressive given how pushed Briony and the gang must have been for time.
I feel proper Christmassy after this night, and will need to improve my Christmas jumper after I was rightfully trounced!

Well, I love Christmas… and I also love Hallowe’en, so I was half tempted to turn up to this pre-Hallowe’en Christmas event as some sort of tinsel mummy. Alas, I couldn’t find enough on short notice after work, so I came in my plain old work clothes. Booooo!!!
Hotel du Vin is an absolutely gorgeous venue — it simply drips oppulence from every chandelier and fire place. The hotel was originally a row of Victorian houses, now all joined together to make for very fancy lodgings indeed. If you get a chance to look at the windows on the stairwells, some of them still contain lovely original stain glass. The function rooms are tastefully decorated to work with the stately, original features. The room where we were served food appeared to be set up as though for a wedding, top table included!
I ask you, who can say no to fancy schmancy canapes and free-​flowing wine through the evening? If such people exist, I don’t think I know them! I loved the wee black pudding /​haggis truffle balls! So very addictive… and the chicken liver terrine was fabulous, I think it had some sort of figgy sauce on it. And the smoked salmon and roe was just perfectly sized. I especially liked the jerusalem artichoke veloutte, it smelled all buttery and delicious, and tasted even better. I couldn’t help but go for seconds. I wish I’d gotten the name of the wine we were drinking, because it was just lovely and very easy on the pallet!
The entertainment was a riot! Originally there was supposed to be a murder mystery, but because the actors were ill, we were treated to a very good burlesque /​cabaret set that was put together in very short order. One person commented ‘I’ve never found a man in a dress so funny before now,’ which is just the best compliment ever!
Fantastic event all in all. My compliments to all, especially Grizwald the floppy Narwhal. I failed at giving him a pompom nose. For shame!

What a night, walking into the hotel you get a sense of class and dignity. Absoloutely gorgeous building. Thw wine we were served was lovely, light and crusp it went eell with the canapés we were served. A chicken pâté was the first of the night. Now im not usually one for pâté but this was divine, so light and fluffy with a taste explosion in the mouth. The next was smoked salmon which was fresh and gorgeous as well. Next we sampled artichoke and bacon number which was, again, somethjng that didnt sound nice but surprised me and tasted so good I had to have a second. Finally we sampled a liquor which was divine. As an added surprise we had some great entertainment which was fabulous. Dancers, singers and a little bit of burlesque thriwn in for good measure. A fantastic evening in a fantastic venue.

Ahh… canapes, wine, jumpers, singing, dancing and meeting my friend Grizwald ~ the ex-​magicians assistant green balloon. Sweet times.
This hotel was lovely indeed and as soon as walked in I felt as though I was in that film ‘Clue’, awaiting someone to be murdered… not in a bad way of course, in a good/​spooky/​murder mystery way. Turns out that was originally the surprise of the event ~ a murder mystery, which would have been FAB but darn those pesky, ill actors *shakes be-​gloved fist* Still the show must go on and Kirsty & co. put on a great show that entertained us with many delights (and she introduced me to Grizwald *sigh*)
The canapes were very nice ~ I especially enjoyed the black pudding baws and the chicken liver parfait thingys. Yums. Also that raspberry vodka — WOW! That was pretty, pretty, preeeeettttttty good :-)
I may not have won the Christmas jumper competition (nae dangling baubles ya see) but I did win a new, if somewhat mischievous unofficial Unilocal mascot & friend; Grizwald. So thank you Briony, Kirsty & co and the lovely people of Hotel Du Vin. Christmas came early for me!

Hotel du Vin was as luxurious as ever! (Obviously!) And the spontaneous entertainment was a fun twist. I absolutely loved the little black pudding bites and the soup. — A delicous selection of canapes on offer! And an abundance of wine! As always, an excellent event with happy friendly Unilocaly faces. — Nice to meet some new ones! And Sharon was the worthy winner of best Christmas sweater! Christmas really did come early!