The Long-Awaited Return to Festivities

And just like that, Christmas was upon us! After nearly two years of navigating the complexities of the pandemic, many of us, myself included, have found ourselves yearning for the pre-2020 joys. Remember those vibrant nights in London? The whisky bars, the gin cocktails, dinners with friends, and oh, the food! There's been so much to miss during this time.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I received an email that took me straight back to those pre-pandemic days. The subject line read: "Christmas Lunch – 7th December," and I could hardly resist clicking. A glance at my calendar (now fuller than it had been in ages) confirmed I could attend. The email invitation was to Abajo, a cozy spot under Sucre near Carnaby Street, for a three-course meal and informal tasting. Without hesitation, I marked the date and anticipated an evening of delicious food, drinks, and festive spirit at Abajo London.

A Carefully Chosen Outfit for a Special Night

Having not been anywhere fancy in what felt like forever, I took extra care in choosing my outfit, opting for something a little dressier than my usual work-from-home attire. You know, the kind of outfit you’d wear if you were to pop on a Microsoft Teams call but also wanted to feel festive and special.

All seemed to be going smoothly – outfit sorted, mood elevated – until I made the hasty decision to swap my winter coat just before leaving the house. In the chaos, I dashed for the train only to realize I’d left my phone in the pocket of my other coat! Panic set in as I sat on the train, frantically patting my empty pockets.

A Lifesaver: My Apple Watch Adventure

Thankfully, I remembered I had my Apple Watch on. In that moment of panic, I was eternally grateful for opting for the Apple Watch Series 6 with GPS and Cellular capabilities. With its built-in cellular feature, I could still make calls and pay for things even though my phone was back at home. I had never been more thankful for that little extra I paid for the Cellular plan!

This feature came in handy, especially when I realized I still had to buy a train ticket and navigate my way from Waterloo to Carnaby Street. The train ticket inspectors were fortunately kind enough to let me through despite my lack of a physical ticket. Using Apple Pay and Apple Maps, I was able to navigate my way to the restaurant, arriving just in time for a much-needed pre-dinner drink.

The Perfect Start: Gin Cocktails at Abajo

Upon arriving at Abajo, I was greeted with a delightful Gibson cocktail made with The Whisky Exchange's 2022 Gin of the Year: Height of Arrows Gin. This offering from Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh stands out for its minimalist approach, retailing at under £30. Its elegant Tiffany-blue bottle would make a lovely addition to any drinks cabinet, but its taste was the true star. Bold yet smooth, it set the perfect tone for the evening ahead.

An Atmospheric Setting and Delicious Whisky

Abajo’s downstairs cocktail bar provided the ideal setting for our private dining experience. The dimly lit, moody atmosphere, paired with the long bar and stylish décor, made it a wonderful location for this festive event. The setting, however, was only half the story—the real highlight was yet to come.

Next up was a glass of The Whisky Exchange’s 2021 exclusive Christmas Malt. Retailing for £79.95, this whisky was every bit as special as the occasion itself. As we raised our glasses to toast the holiday season, the room filled with the warm glow of festive spirits and shared experiences.

Food, Drinks, and the Joy of Reconnection

As the evening progressed, we indulged in plates of delicious food, each dish perfectly complementing the drinks we had. It felt a little strange at first, adjusting back to socializing after so much time apart. But soon enough, the conversation flowed as freely as the drinks. We shared stories of lockdown, exchanged thoughts on remote work, and made predictions for the year ahead. The evening was a reminder of the joys of human connection, something we had all missed during the pandemic.

It wasn’t just the whisky or the gin that made the night so memorable—it was the company, the laughter, and the sense of togetherness. After nearly two years of restrictions and isolation, this festive knees-up felt like a much-needed return to normality.

A Night to Remember

All in all, this festive dinner at Abajo was more than just an evening of food and drinks—it was a celebration of resilience and a reminder of the joys of being together. Whether it was the carefully crafted cocktails, the fine whisky, or the lively conversation, every element came together to make this night one for the books.

As I left the restaurant, I couldn't help but smile, knowing that nights like these—filled with laughter, warmth, and good company—were finally making a return.

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