The other day I was leafing through my copy of The Gentlemen’s Clubs of London wondering which I would have joined had I been offered the chance. And that got me thinking about the clubs here in town. None of which I seem to be in danger of having to choose to join. Besides, I reason to myself, there are really only about a dozen people I like. I am something of a joiner, if not much of a member. I was the “ghost brother” in my fraternity in college, having joined and quietly faded away. But still, there must be something to this club thing. Mustn’t there?

The clubs did, and do, serve a purpose. A club gives you refuge. One of the primary purposes for the clubs of London was to provide gentlemen with a place to stay and dine while in town settling affairs. The rest of the time, the gentleman was probably in the country at his manor, shooting something. Having dined, he will need a place to wile away the hours (or nap) and will head for the quieter club of which he is also a member. And then there are the discreet places in which he may discuss business, dispatches or affairs of the secret services. In short, one’s clubs are one’s safe houses in an increasingly fast-paced and disorderly world.

Then, during a luncheon with Mr. W and The Architect, the topic came up. The three of us decided that we were tired of meeting at restaurants once a week for lunch and what we really needed was our own club. Where to look?

There used to be The American Club in London (95 Piccadilly, W1) which granted membership to Americans stationed in England, but that’s a bit far for lunch. Wooster had the Drones, but that’s fictional and also a bit far for lunch. Here in town there is The Commonwealth Club, (The club) which hasn’t cast so much of a glance in my direction (although I have been through the service entrance when a big band friend played a party and attended a swell Christmas affair there this year.) There are a number of country clubs, but I don’t golf or play tennis or like public pools much. Online, there is a fine sounding Sporting Life Society, but that would leave me lunching alone at the computer, again…. and sport of that sort really doesn’t appeal to the other two guys (the blog is a fun read and has a wonderful thesis statement — good work fellas!)

Nope, it looked like slim pickings.

So we took the easy way out and started our own. Now the three of us have Churchill’s (pictured above) or The Churchill Club, we’re not sure which.

Membership is strictly limited to those who have two hours for lunch, can abide a good salad and provide a bottle of champagne for consumption during afternoon hours. A dress code is not strictly enforced, with socks being optional during the warmer months. Resident Brits are welcome to apply, especially if they are half American, are lots of fun, and can stand for the champagne every once in awhile.

I’ve just ordered us some very elegant spotted bow ties so we can recognize ourselves in public. But for a true club experience, what we really need is staff. Applications now being accepted.

Another dreary day…. lamb shanks, anyone? I’ve preached at you long enough. Time to think about your dinner plans at the weekend. On your way home tonight stop by the grocery or the butcher and get a couple of lamb shanks. Two will run you USD$10-$13. This is an easy meal to do completely in a crock pot, but for the full effect, you’ll need a skillet, too.

Easy and Elegant Lamb Shanks for Two.
1 Tablespoon or a bit more of olive oil
2 lamb shanks
1 zip lock bag, gallon sized
1/4 cup of flour
fresh sprigs of rosemary
4 cloves of garlic
1 can of crushed tomatoes or about 5 hand-crushed plum tomatoes
1/2 an onion, chopped (that’s what I had on hand, anyway.)
1/2 cup of red wine
1/4 cup of beef stock
salt and pepper
parsley to garnish

Put the flour, salt and pepper in the zip-lock bag and add the lamb shanks. Zip up and shake to coat.

Heat the olive oil in a pan. Shake the excess flour from the shanks and add them to the pan, turning to brown on all sides.

Add a bit of olive oil to your crock pot, and add in all the ingredients EXCEPT the wine, onions and the parsley.

Remove the shanks to the pot.

Sauté the onions in the skillet for a couple of minutes, and deglaze the pan with the wine. Add the mixture to the crock pot. Set to low and go to work or sleep. It’ll be ready when you are. The meat should fall from the bone when urged to do so by your fork.

To thicken the sauce, you may have to reduce it in the skillet for a few moments before you serve the dish. Pour it over the shanks on the plate and garnish with parsley.

I served this with sweet potatoes mashed with butter and a dash of nutmeg, crusty bread and a salad. And the rest of the bottle of Malbec, of course.

Mornings are all about rushing. But they didn’t used to be a fight-the-morning-rush-hour-traffic-at-65 mph-while-singing-children’s-songs rush. Of all things, the metro let me in on a secret that continues to ring true for me. No matter the weather, a good morning walk is the most elegant way to start a day. And if it’s sunny, well, that’s even better. But if it isn’t, as it is not today, don’t let that deter you. I used to walk a couple of blocks to the metro and a couple of blocks to my office twice a day. And I always felt better for it.

Now, while I can recommend Mr. Kelly’s taste in clothing (a Norfolk jacket!) I don’t advise getting soaked to the skin in your off-the-rack clothing. (Glue can do funny things when it gets wet and shoes, if not properly dried will be ruined.) But I do recommend getting outside and putting a little colour back into your cheeks. Do it with a song in your heart, whistle a tune, or just smile and breathe deeply. You’ll be amazed at what it does for your attitude. And easy elegance is all about having the right attitude.

I’m off to put on my stout shoes, hat and trench coat. Have a glorious day. (Insert whistling here….)