The Drake's Revue: Michael Hill

Welcome to the Drake’s Revue, a revamped recommendation and interview series where we ask some of our favourite people about some of their favourite things. The art, music, food, objects and philosophies that matter the most to them. 

First up is Drake’s Creative Director Michael Hill, who likes to eat dinner at a no-fuss Farringdon institution, shares his method for the perfect at-home Martini and tries his best to keep it simple. 

1.) My most memorable meal of the year…

I went to The Eagle in Farringdon the other night after work, and I think it was the best dinner I’ve had all year. I’ve been going there for years, as the old factory was near there and I used to live around the corner. It just has that magic ratio between quality and price. It’s a short menu, constantly changing and seasonal. You can sit by the bar and watch the chefs cooking right in front of you, which is very reassuring, and it’s fresh, delicious and reasonable.

There’s a lot of working engagements with my job, so getting a bit of time on my own in a place that almost feels like my own kitchen, and hasn’t changed, is always a pleasure. It’s just a solid little place Sometimes they throw the food at you, but that’s part of it!

2.) The object I’d save from a fire…

It would have to be a piece of art. Often the latest piece. A painting by a chap called Maxwell Wade, titled ‘Sharing a Jar.’  Objects are nice — furniture is great, but it’s the pictures that are most important to me. 

3.) The last great exhibition I went to…

The last great exhibition I went to would have to be Danny Fox. He’s a customer, someone we know well who has recently moved back to Cornwall. He’s a really interesting artist who spent some time in LA, but is now back in St Ives, his hometown. His recent Saatchi Yates show has solidified his reputation as one of our most exciting young artists.

4 + 5.) The two things I’ve worn more than anything…

Our Oxford blue and white ticking stripe with a point collar and a navy knitted tie. I’d also be inclined to say our Coverall jacket. It’s a fairly recent addition, but it’s incredibly useful and is something we’re looking to evolve and develop. A waxed cotton country jacket with roomy pockets, a corduroy collar and a check Oxford shirt cloth lining. It's the kind of outerwear that patinates beautifully with wear, goes with everything, and keeps the rain out. 

6.) My favourite restaurant is… 

Diporto in Athens. The Best I’ve ever been to. It’s everything that a great restaurant should be. It’s been around for, say, 150 years, and has barely changed. There’s no menu, you can’t spend more than 30 euros. It’s incredibly fresh and delicious; run by kind people, and you can stay for as long as you want. It’s an institution, but not a scene.

There’s one drink: Retsina, which they serve in little copper vessels. A phenomenal Greek salad, sardines, olive oil, There’s a great family of cats living there. Everything a restaurant should be, but you can’t create that. In order to create it you’d need 150 years. I was introduced to it by our friend Chris Kontos, and it’s remarkable.

7.) The perfect Martini...

I’ve got a glass that my grandmother gave me, a heavy duty sort of thing. Keep it in the freezer after you’ve washed it with a bit of cold water, then either a Noilly Prat or Dolin vermouth, some No. 3 Gin from our friends at Berry Bros. Keep that in the freezer, too. Then I like a twist, but I also like an olive, frankly. A good lemon. Easiest thing in the world. I quite like to drink it outside if I can. It fuel injects you into the evening. You’re there! Sometimes it’s just the idea of it. A ritual and a sip and… bang! 

8.) Dream car...

I’m not very good at driving manual cars. I’d love an old Mercedes, or an old Porsche. I suppose an old Land Rover. Most modern cars are, aesthetically, so bad nowadays. Those old Mercs. Squared off, almost like a child’s drawing. In silver. A beautiful car. 

9.) Words to live by… 

A mantra, I should do! It’s coming. I’ve loosely had a bit of a mantra, which is keep it simple. It’s so easy to complicate your life. It’s not easy, but just don’t mess around. Keep it simple and don’t be greedy. That’s kind of it? Then hopefully you’ll be fine. Don’t get ahead of yourself and that means keeping things in perspective. Being thankful for what you have, rather than always looking, looking. And the simple things, of course, can be hard to do. You have to try and establish that formula and stick to it.