Close at hand, too, in Old Jewry, was that Windmill tavern, of which Stow wrote that it was “sometime the Jews’ synagogue, since a house of friars, then a nobleman’s house, after that a merchant’s house, wherein mayoralties have been kept, and now a wine tavern.” It must have been a fairly spacious hostelry, for on the occasion of the visit of the Emperor Charles V in 1522 the house is noted as being able to provide fourteen feather-beds, and stabling for twenty horses.
From the fact that one of the characters in “Every Man in His Humour” dates a letter from the Windmill, and that two of the scenes in that comedy take place in a room of the tavern, it is obvious that it also must be numbered among the many houses frequented by Jonson.
One dramatic episode is connected with the history of the Windmill. In the early years of the seventeenth century considerable excitement was aroused in Worcestershire by the doings of John Lambe, who indulged in magical arts and crystal glass enchantments. By 1622 he was in London, and numbered the king’s favourite, the Duke of Buckingham, among his clients.
That was sufficient to set the populace against him, an enmity which was greatly intensified by strange atmospheric disturbances which visited London in June, 1628. All this was attributed to Lambe’s conjuring, and the popular fury came to a climax a day or two later, when Lambe, as he was leaving the Fortune Theatre, was attacked by a mob of apprentices. He fled towards the city and finally took refuge in the Windmill. After affording the hunted man haven for a few hours the host, in view of the tumult outside, at length turned him into the street again, where he was so severely beaten that he died the following morning. A crystal ball and other conjuring implements were found on his person.
]]>While there may at times be good reason for doubting the claims made as to the antiquity of some London taverns, there can be none for questioning the ripe old age to which the Pope’s Head in Cornhill attained. This is one of the few taverns which Stow deals with at length. He describes it as being “strongly built of stone,” and favours the opinion that it was at one time the palace of King John.
He tells, too, how in his day wine was sold there at a penny the pint and bread provided free. It was destroyed in the Great Fire, but rebuilt shortly after. Pepys knew both the old and the new house. In the former he is said to have drunk his first “dish of tea,” and he certainly enjoyed many a meal under its roof, notably on that occasion when, with Sir W. Penn and Mrs. Pepys, he “eat cakes and other fine things.”
Another, not so pleasant, memory is associated with the Pope’s Head. Two actors figured in the episode, James Quin and William Bowen, between whom, especially on the side of the latter, strong professional jealousy existed. Bowen, a low comedian of “some talent and more conceit,” taunted Quin with being tame in a certain role, and Quin retorted in kind, declaring that Bowen’s impersonation of a character in “The Libertine” was much inferior to that of another actor.
Bowen seems to have had an ill-balanced mind; he was so affected by Jeremy Collier’s “Short View” that he left the stage and opened a cane shop in Holborn, thinking “a shopkeeper’s life was the readiest way to heaven.” But he was on the stage again in a year, thus resuming the career which was to be his ruin. For so thoroughly was he incensed by Quin’s disparagement that he took the earliest opportunity of forcing the quarrel to an issue.
Having invited Quin to meet him, the two appear to have gone from tavern to tavern until they reached the Pope’s Head. Quin was averse to a duel, but no sooner had the two entered an empty room in the Cornhill tavern than Bowen fastened the door, and, standing with his back against it and drawing his sword, threatened Quin that he would run him through if he did not draw and defend himself. In vain did Quin remonstrate, and in the end he had to take to his sword to keep the angry Bowen at bay.
]]>To its pioneer days much of San Francisco’s Bohemian spirit is due. When the cry of “Gold” rang around the world adventurous wanderers of all lands answered the call, and during the year following Marshall’s discovery two thousand ships sailed into San Francisco Bay, many to be abandoned on the beach by the gold-mad throng, and it was in some of these deserted sailing vessels that San Francisco’s restaurant life had its inception.
With the immediately succeeding years the horde of gold hunters was augmented by those who brought necessities and luxuries to exchange for the yellow metal given up by the streams flowing from the Mother Lode. With them also came cooks to prepare delectable dishes for those who had passed the flap-jack stage, and desired the good things of life to repay them for the hardships, privations and dearth of woman’s companionship.
As the male human was largely dominant in numbers it was but natural that they should gather together for companionship, and here began the Bohemian spirit that has marked the city for its own to the present day.
These men were all individualists, and their individualism has been transmitted to their offspring together with independence of action. Hence comes the Bohemianism born of individuality and independence.
It was only natural that the early San Franciscans should foregather where good cheer was to be found, and the old El Dorado House, at Portsmouth Square, was really what may be called the first Bohemian restaurant of the city. So well was this place patronized and so exorbitant the prices charged that twenty-five thousand dollars a month was not considered an impossible rental.
Next in importance was the most fashionable restaurant of early days, the Iron House. It was built of heavy sheet iron that had been brought around the Horn in a sailing vessel, and catered well, becoming for several years the most famed restaurant of the city. Here, in Montgomery street, between Jackson and Pacific, was the rendezvous of pioneers, and here the Society of California Pioneers had its inception, receiving impressions felt to the present day in San Francisco and California history. Here, also, was first served Chicken in the Shell, the dish from which so many later restaurants gained fame.
]]>Offering much more than a regular city and airport hotel, the proximity to Humboldt University in the South East of Berlin in the old Berlin suburb of Köpenick, makes the Dorint Berlin Adlershof a popular conference hotel and well-loved starting point for city trips and short-breaks in Germany’s capital city.
Köpenick, with its historic Old Town, the castle and the many original Berlin pubs and restaurants, is well worth a visit in its own right. The excellent public transport links to downtown Berlin make it easy to explore the inner city sights and enjoy extensive shopping trips, too.
After a busy day in Berlin – at work or at play – the Müggel Lake offers many opportunities for relaxation. It’s the perfect location for your next function, conference, seminar or private event.
The highly individualized and attentive service offered at the Dorint Hotel Adlershof Berlin will ensure that your next visit to Berlin is both relaxing and successful.
]]>One can say that the story of Mountain Refuge begins with with my grandparents in 1935 when they decided to move from the south of Iceland to New York and become farmers. They bought a plot of land on which Mountain Refuge stands today, which the locals thought was a mad idea since it was believed that it was not possible to grow anything on this land. My grandparents were however determined in their decision and built their house here and named it Mountain Refuge. They also built a cowshed and started farming the land, growing potatoes and various types of vegetables and were able to make a good living in this place.
As time went by a few more houses were built nearby and since then this area has always been called Refuge and hence the name Mountain Refuge came about. I have lived here my whole live, as a kid and later with my husband and three children so this place is very dear to me.
Mountain Refuge offers a total of 150 rooms on two floors furnished with Scandinavian and Icelandic design.
The rooms have a unique design with a desk and comfortable seating benches custom made by A2F architects and designed as one continuous form. The bed base is also custom made with inset bedside table. There are soft and colourful carpets on the floor to add a warm feeling to the rooms.
Rooms facing south have a view towards the marina and all our guests have access to a sitting pool on the second floor which is a perfect place to unwind as you enjoy the view.
You don´t have to go far from the international airport to experience the wonders of Icelandic nature. Being the gateway in and out of Iceland, Reykjanes is a place that is easily explored, is accessable all year round and distance between places is relatively short.
The landscape is diverse with craters, caves, lava fields and high geothermal activity and is a part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks family. The peninsula exists where the North Atlantic ridge rises from the ocean and is the only place on earth where it is visible and a symbolic bridge “The bridge between two continents” has been built.
The well known Blue Lagoon is just a 15 minute drive away from the hotel and it takes only 40 minutes to drive to the center of Reykjavik.
]]>Emperor Resort & Spa, which is under Emperor Hotels Group, takes the art of luxury accommodation beyond your expectations. We attend to every single detail from interior decor to 24 hours personalized services. Our aim is to provide a home to guests who appreciate the best of fine living.
In designing this hotel and its facilities, our motto has been first and foremost about providing the guest every comfort and luxury that they would possibly want. We have combined elegant style with opulent surroundings.
We greet all our guests with the Golden Pathway in our lobby, which is literally composed of 78 bars of pure gold (999.9 fine), each weighing one kilogram and embossed with a unique number. This Golden Pathway adds to the imperial ambiance of our hotel for our regal guests.
Each room conveys a cozy and stylish atmosphere of a noble home. Rich colors, plush fabrics, tasteful prints, handcrafted furniture and furnishings and custom-created artwork merged to craft an indulgent getaway for guests.
Emperor’s Court at Emperor Resort & Spa offers Chinese cuisine in an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere of an imperial court. If you have a taste for fresh seafood – all variety of choices are taken from a live tank and prepared with flair and passion to suit your palate. You will discover classic Chiu Chow and Guangdong dishes cooked to perfection as well as a full bar featuring popular premium and luxury teas. Also bring your family and friends and have a moment together in our VIP rooms.
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