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Review: Veronica Blake
VINCE Power has come a long way from the little office in a scruffy
part of Harlesden. The former demolition man’s rags to riches
story has all the drama, twists and turns of a great novel. And
that is what London’s most successful promoter is currently
doing, penning his life story - from his poverty stricken roots
in Southern Ireland to becoming the multi-millionaire owner of
London’s rock venues.
Last time I ran into Vince was at a Christy Moore gig in the
Acoustic room of the Mean Fiddler. Vince was in seventh heaven.
"This is what it’s all about. You don’t get much
better than this," he said as he sat back and listened to
Christy’s soulful ballads.
Next time I ran into Vince he was sitting at a quiet table on
the terrace of slick new restaurant, Berkeley Square.
Quietly in thought, he's no doubt thinking back on his life.
And what a life it’s been.
Having moved from demolition into second hand furniture, he
bought his first venue, a small Country and Western club in Harlseden,
23 years ago and went on to become one of Europe’s major
players in music promotion.
For the past 20 years, Vince has in some way been involved with
virtually every live act who've performed in London; either by
owning the venue, or having booked the act. Not content with owning
a string of venues and bars, including The Forum, The Jazz Café,
The Mean Fiddler and The Garage, he branched into festivals with
The Fleadh, Reading and Leeds.
Earlier this year, he decided he would ‘cash in my Roulette
Chips’ and sold the Mean Fiddler Group for £13m. Though
he says the thought of retiring horrifies him.
Having successfully conquered the music scene for over 20 years,
Vince now has his eye set on the London social scene.
This summer, he organised the Berkeley Square Ball and has become
a restauranteur. He bought Spiga, Bar 101, and the Berkeley Square
and he seems to have applied the same savvy to restaurants, which
made him so successful in music.
The attention to detail in the Berkeley Square is second to none.
As stylish as Cecconi’s and with Michelin star chef Steven
Black in the kitchen, the restaurant has already won critical
acclaim from all the leading food writers.
Not only did it make it into Tatler’s top 10 newcomers,
they described it as ‘small, romantic, low key, one of Mayfair’s
most interesting recent openings’. It's also won 3 AA rosettes
and has been rated London Newcomer of the Year by The Good Food
Guide. It seems that everything Vince Power touches turns to gold.
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The stylish interior is the work
of top designer, Shaun Clarkson. The soft mauve walls exude a
zen-like calm. Even the customers seem to whisper, while Norah
Jones’s dulcet voice sets the tone.
The clientele seems to be part Mayfair ladies who lunch and
sleek Armani clad Oriental bankers. It’s low key, and the
perfect setting for that discreet business deal. Could that Yorkshireman
at the next table be an arms dealer? He seemed to have a military
background and that smug look of a Freemason.
The green glass rectangle plates were as stylish as an Art Deco
shoot. It seemed almost a shame to dig into the stunning Picassoesque
display of Cornish crab risotto with plum tomato sorbet. It was
as delicious as it looked.
Each dish has been prepared with care and imagination. Steamed
fillet of sea bass with fennel, leeks, oyster and chives was cooked
to perfection. My friend’s duck with braised turnip and
prune sauce got the thumbs up too. It’s rare to find a menu
where every dish is equally tempting.
The menu also suggests a wine to accompany each particular dish,
including the desserts. I chose the sublime caramelised Granny
Smith apple, with walnut and sage ice cream. The suggested Muscat
wine was the perfect accompaniment.
The other melt-in-the-mouth, must-have dessert is the chocolate
mousse coated in Valrhona Chocolate with lime sorbet and candied
ginger. With such eclectic culinary gems, it's little wonder that
Stephen Black continues to collect awards each year.
This gifted chef, who claims to be a perfectionist, continues
to excel. His healthy, creative cooking with a French influence
has won critical acclaim from leading critics, Fay Maschler, AA
Gill, GQ, Tatler and Harpers.
Despite its Mayfair setting and sleek stylish décor, the
Berkley Square is very affordable. The three course set menu available
at lunch and dinner is just £19.95.
He may have sold his music empire and successfully conquered
the restaurant world, but it seems that Vince Power still has
a hankering for music.
"I’m currently working on a Music Festival in Spain,
and I’ve got my eye on France," he said as we left.
When most men his age would be thinking of retirement, Vince
is not about to reach for the carpet slippers. Is there no stopping
this man? It seems not.
Like Sir Paul, who at 62 is a human dynamo of composing, touring
and recording, we haven't heard the last of Vince Power just yet.
Demolition Man, Rock Promoter, Restauranteur, Author.. What next..
‘Vince Power The Movie’?…
The Berkeley Square,
7, Davies St,
Mayfair,
W1 K 3DD
Tel: 0207 629 6993
www.theberkeleysquare.com
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