Hakkasan Chinese New Year Menu Review | The Best of London

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

We have reviewed Hakkasan before and are never disappointed. This michelin-starred restaurant feels like the centre of everything. People talk about Hakkasan in hushed tones in office, they pull happy faces when you say you have been, talking about how delicious the food is. Hakkasan on Hanway Place, the original Hakkasan, is the place to see and be seen. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to relax however. There is no pretension for all its class and the staff are very friendly and know their stuff. Hakkasan is, without doubt, the best of London. Hakkasan is where to go for traditional Cantonese cuisine.

For Chinese New Year, the year of the sheep, Hakkasan will be honouring the Chinese “Wishing Tree” tradition by collecting wishes from around the world as well as offering a nine dish festive feast perfect for family and friends. The wish collection and signature menu will be available to guests from Sunday 8th February to Sunday 1st March.

This nine dish menu starts with small eats to start.

Dim Sum, Spicy lamb lupin wrap and Golden fried soft shell crab with red chili and curry leaf.

The starters are stunning. The Dim Sum is always brilliant. Scallops, crab meat, prawn: they are just heavenly. The spicy lamb lupin wrap is perfect, there is a good heat from the sauce and the lamb is expertly cooked. It has a delicious soft texture. The fried soft crab with red chilli and curry leaf is superb. The crab is amazing and the curry leaf goes well, a wonderful and original dish.

To go with our food we have a Kumquatcha, a specialty cocktail representing good fortune, prosperity and happiness, I have a virgin one and my colleague has the real deal. Both taste amazing. A brilliant combination of Germana cachaça, Campari, Kumquat and lime.

The mains include a number of signature Hakkasan items like their Spicy prawn, Stir-fry black pepper rib eye beef with Merlot and Grilled Chilean sea bass in honey, We also have Stir-fry Lily bulb and garlic shoot and Abalone and dry scallop fried rice,

The spicy prawn has generous and delicious prawns in a yummy sauce, the Stir-fry black pepper rib eye beef with Merlot is just perfect and Grilled Chilean sea bass in honey is definitely one of the best sea bass dishes I have ever had. The Stir-fry Lily bulb and garlic shoot is as tasty as it is original and the Abalone and dry scallop fried rice is the best rice ever. I still have dreams about it. There is no bum note in this menu: all of this food is just one mouth-watering dish after another.

The desserts are as amazing as the other dishes. Stunning in their originality, a Kumquat Wishing Tree: chocolate, caramelised macadamia and cocoa rocks, and delicious chocolate treats hanging off a Kumquat tree end the meal. The dishes are out of this world. Not all Asian restaurants do dessert well. I am glad to say that Hakkasan is definitely an exception.

I also have another mocktail. Hakkasan do mocktails very well. Perfect if you don’t want to drink. If you eat from the Chinese New Year signature menu you will receive a red envelope with special gift of a complimentary cocktail or mocktail. More reason to indulge.

Hakkasan’s limited edition menu created by Michelin-starred Executive Head Chef Tong Chee Hwee includes a selection of its acclaimed signature dishes as well as a contemporary interpretation on authentic Chinese New Year fare.The Chinese New Year menu is available for £88.88 per person. A la carte items will be individually priced, starting at £12.88.

For more information on Chinese New Year at Hakkasan, please visit hakkasan.com.

HKK Restaurant Review

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Paloma Kubiak

“Intricate nests of deliciousness”

On the eve of Monday, coincidentally when the moon was at its biggest and brightest this year, we were welcomed into the Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant HKK to sample its two moon cakes as part of the 15 course tasting menu.

Centred within the crux of bustling Shoreditch, Liverpool Street and Old Street, HKK presents itself modestly on Worship Street, but its contemporary décor invites business types and couples.

One thing to emphasise before I get on to the culinary journey – this isn’t just a dining experience, it’s an experience in itself.

You’ll be immersed in Chinese culture as you sip on room-temperature Sake and partake in a tea ceremony, yet the beautifully presented intricate nests of deliciousness are perfectly aligned with modern day cuisine.

You’ll need to leave all allergies and intolerances at the door as the 15 course menu tempts your taste buds with fresh vegetables (and flowers), sea food, fish, chicken, duck, lamb, beef and even flakes of gold.

Each plate presented a prefect mouthful and each was introduced by our server, Marco, with a flair of expertise and personal experience.

If you can’t remember the name of each dish (you will remember the flavour), don’t worry as towards the end of the meal, you’ll be handed a personal menu, including drinks, by the Manager, Mehmet, and Head Chef, Tong Chee Hwee.

The whelk salad and Shaoxing wine jelly started off our evening. The soft sweet jelly against the crunch of the cucumber and bitter flower infused effortlessly on the palette.

The roasted Poulet de Bresse, foie gras and mandarin confit presented an assortment of textures and tastes. The sharp citrus crunch of the mandarin flakes contrasted against the gamey foie gras. The tender chicken slithered on the tongue.

The Cherry wood roasted Peking duck was a far cry from the imitations in other restaurants. For this course, we were asked to come to the serving table in the middle of the restaurant where the chef cut the plump skin and moist cuts of duck from the bone. The skin was unlike anything I’d seen before. It reflected hues of red, orange and bronze under the lights. This was a real highlight as the meat was juicy, the hoi sin sauce delicate and the brown sugar added a creative twist to the traditional dish.

The Dim sum trilogy will leave your mouth dancing with flavours. The squidgy dumpling with fishy freshness and speckles of caviar contrasted with the spice of the chicken dumpling, soothed with a dash of soy sauce.

The Sugar snaps, lotus root and water chestnut cleansed the palette and acted as a reprieve from the previous fish and meat dishes. It was immaculately presented and the crunch of the sugar snaps contrasted with the milky texture of the smoky chestnut.

At this point, our Sommelier – Almudena – selected a 2013 bottle of Rosa dei Frati, Ca dei Frati, from Veneto, Italy and its fruity smell and taste accompanied the dish perfectly.

The moon cake itself – a watermelon cake and green tea sesame ball served with Da Hong Pau tea was sweet and succulent while the full bodied and smoky flavour of the tea soothed the richness of the cakes.

One of the highlights was the Seared Wagyu beef with Enoki mushrooms. Perfectly rare but oozing with meaty flavours, it was served on a crispy and salty pancake- like bowl. It was simply divine.

With three desserts coming up, I was excited. The raspberry and dark chocolate delice with cocoa nibs was thick, gooey and rich and the popping candy and flakes of gold were a unique taste experience.

We had a wonderful evening, the quality of the food and the presentation far exceeded our expectations, though we were not surprised to learn the Michelin star was awarded within the first year of the restaurant opening.

You’ll leave satiated, relaxed and cultured from the HKK experience.

See the website for more information: http://hkklondon.com/

Where To Spend Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Frostie

Bespoke Valentine’s Day menu at Michelin starred restaurant Launceston Place

Head chef, Tim Allen from Launceston Place, will be creating a bespoke menu for one couple this Valentine’s Day. Upon booking, the couple will have the exclusive opportunity to have their ultimate menu created by Michelin starred Tim Allen, featuring their loved ones most desired dishes and favourite foods. The couple will enjoy their meal with the luxury of privacy in the romantic Chef’s Office, with each course served to them personally by Chef Allen. In addition to this, Launceston Place’s head sommelier will work with the couple to choose the perfect accompanying aperitif and wines to complement the bespoke menu. With a minimum spend price tag of £500, this unique experience is one of London’s most lavish ways to spoil your other half this Valentine’s Day. For more information or to book this bespoke experience contact 020 7937 6912 or email Ruth (ruthb@danddlondon.com). www.launcestonplace-restaurant.co.uk/offer/valentine-s-day-experience/1648

LOVE IS IN THE AIR THIS VALENTINE’S DAY AT ZINC
This VALENTINE’S, brand new nightclub Zinc will throw a Valentine’s party where people could find love in the air at the summit of the iconic Centre Point building. Already becoming renowned for its world class DJs playing a unique blend of beach house, melodic, hard house and electro and a 24-hour license, Zinc will host a Valentines’ Party that looks set to be both a musical and visual feast. Guests can enjoy a Valentine’s cocktail, world class DJs and the chance to find love above the clouds!

Love is in the Air at Zinc

Friday 14th February 2014
10pm-4am
£55 per person
East Side tables: £1500
West Side tables: £500
Zinc
Centre Point
101-103 New Oxford Street
London , WC1A 1DD
www.zinc.uk.net

Share the love at Benares

To celebrate the most romantic day of the year, Benares, Atul Kochhar’s Michelin starred Indian restaurant, will be offering a five course Valentine’s Day menu designed for sharing. Couples will begin their evening with a specially created Champagne cocktail before tucking into dishes such as pan roasted Scottish scallops, ginger and grape dressing, classic tandoori organic free range Suffolk chicken for two, red onion salad, olive and tomato naan and Atul’s re-invented cream roll with strawberries.

The Benares Chef’s Table, an exquisite private dining space, is also available for an evening of Valentine’s indulgence. After being welcomed with a glass of Champagne and a special gift from Benares, couples will be treated to a six course tasting menu with perfectly matched wines whilst watching the chefs in action through a glass wall.

The Valentine’s Day menu is available on Friday 14^th from 6.30pm for £75 per person, or at lunch and before 6.30pm for £50 per person. The Chef’s table package is priced upon enquiry. www.BenaresRestaurant.com

CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY AT THE AMPERSAND HOTEL

Deluxe Studios from £280

Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea from £32.50 per person

A romantic break in London is the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift and a stay at The Ampersand Hotel, South Kensington, is sure to woo loved ones. Guests looking for the wow-factor should book a Deluxe Studio; complete with king size bed, a grand freestanding bath and impressive views of London. With its stunning botanical themed interior, love is sure to bloom.

Once settled in, guests can choose to enjoy a Champagne Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea in the privacy of their guestroom. The Ampersand Hotel ensures a soupçon of romance is sprinkled throughout the guests’ experience, from the book of love poetry placed in guest rooms to the love note that guests are encouraged to pen to their loved one prior to thestay; left on the guests’ bed as an additional surprise.

VALENTINE’S DAY FOR SINGLES

Ensuring that it’s not just couples that have all the fun on Valentine’s Day, The Ampersand Hotel will also be serving Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea in The Drawing Rooms; perfect for a group of friends.

APERO

For a relaxed Valentine’s Day meal, head to Apero and enjoy the delicious sharing menu created by Head Chef Chris Golding. Located in the original 19th century vault below the luxurious décor of The Ampersand Hotel, Apero offers a taste of the Mediterranean with a tempting menu of sharing plates and cocktails.

The Ampersand Hotel, 10 Harrington Road, London, SW7 3ER

http://www.ampersandhotel.com/

Valentine’s Day Special at Plum + Spilt Milk

Enjoy this Valentine’s Day at Plum + Spilt Milk, located in the renovated and incredibly decadent Great Northern Hotel. Priced at £65 per person, their delicious sharing menu includes a glass of Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose Champagne on arrival, a Native Seafood Platter, 32 Day Aged Beef Wellington and Chocolate Fondue. www.plumandspiltmilk.com/

Copa de Cava (located beneath Camino Restaurant Blackfriars)

Enjoy perfect pairings of cava and tapas at Copa de Cava; the UK’s first authentic cava bar, this Valentine’s Day. Priced at £60 per person, their specially designed menu combines six authentic cava’s each carefully paired with accompanying tapas dishes including the Presa Ibérica; a succulent shoulder of rare Ibérico pig, creamy pearl barley, Ibérico ham and Manchego. For anyone with a sweet tooth the Crema Catalana; cinnamon custard foam, crispy caramel and freeze dried raspberry, is the perfect end to a romantic evening. www.camino.uk.com/restaurants/copa-de-cava/

Valentine’s Menu at Bonnie Gull Seafood Shack

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the ‘seaside restaurant in the City’. Priced at £65 per person, Bonnie Gull has created a unique Valentine’s taster menu including champagne and oysters, halibut, venison as well as a selection of sweet treats. To view the full menu and to keep up to date, please follow the team here. www.facebook.com/pages/Bonnie-Gull/202711063100754?fref=ts www.bonniegull.com/

HONK IF YOU’RE HORNY THIS VALENTINE’S DAY AT HONKY TONK
Valentine’s day is just around the corner but fear not singletons, Honky Tonk has the answer to all your prayers. This year come and join the singles party on 14th February at both Honky Tonk Chelsea & Honky Tonk Clapham and Honky If You’re Horny! Each table will have a very special cupids horn on it and when you see a certain someone who catches your eye, give it a good squeeze & let them know that they could be your valentine’s this year!

For those attending the party at Honky Tonk Clapham the wheel of fortune will also be transformed into the wheel of love where you can win a shot and other prizes to give to the lucky lady or lad who you may have your eye on. So come down and celebrate Valentine’s day the Honky Tonk way.

Both Honky Tonks are rapidly becoming West London’s destination diners of choice. They offer regular live music and entertainment, with a particular emphasis on a variation of the blues, jazz and rockabilly played over a hundred years ago when the first honky tonks sprung up in the Southern and Southwestern United States.

Honky Tonk Valentine’s day
Friday 14th February 2014

Honky Tonk Chelsea
6 Hollywood Road,
London
SW10 9HY
Tel: 0207 351 1588

Opening Times: Tues- Sat, 6pm-12.30am

Honky Tonk Clapham
16a Clapham Common South Side,
London
SW4 7AB
Tel: 020 7627 6257
W: www.honkytonklondon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honkytonk.clapham/
Twitter: @honkytonklondon
Opening Times: Monday-Wednesday 5 pm to 12 pm, Thurs 5pm -1am,
Friday 5pm-1.30 am, Sat 12pm- 2am, Sunday12pm-11.30pm

FISHBone pop-up diner at Kensington Place

Inspired by the restaurant’s hit summer menu, Kensington Place in Notting Hill will transform its private dining room into a pop-up diner of the same name this February. Dishes will include a range of ‘fast-fish’ dishes, including Salmon ‘doner’ with pitta, cucumber and yoghurt and Pulled skate with beurre noisette and capers, alongside the classic Scallopdog with brown shrimp and cucumber vierge. White wine sangria, hot and cold sake and a selection of British beers and spirits make up the drinks list. Seating only 36 diners, FISHbone will be a quirky and informal addition to the West London dining scene. www.kensingtonplace-restaurant.co.uk/offer/fishbone-pop-up-coming-soon/1640

Get hooked on Angler at South Place Hotel this Valentine’s Day

Feed your romance at the Michelin-starred restaurant Angler, located in The City atop the cool and contemporary South Place Hotel, a rose-petal trail away from Liverpool Street station. With stunning views of the London skyline, the award winning Angler is a gourmet dining experience to share with your other half. The restaurant will be serving a decadent Valentine’s Day set menu on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th February, priced at £85 per person, prepared by Executive Chef Tony Fleming. The simple yet sophisticated six course menu will feature the best of British seafood sourced from across the British Isles. The beautifully presented dishes include carpaccio of octopus, served with a salad of squid and mango, with soy and ginger dressing; fillet of brill with ragout of squid, fennel puree and sea purslane; and milk chocolate mousse with blood orange to share.

Couples wanting to completely escape can indulge with the “Chef’s View package” which includes dining in Angler’s Chef’s View to watch the skilled team at work, while taking in the venue’s beautiful interiors and signature mirrored ceilings. Guests can tuck into a personalised menu created by Tony himself and take advantage of their own dedicated sommelier for the evening, before staying overnight in South Place Hotel’s luxury Suite 610: a chic open-plan living space filled with design classics and saucy artwork, whilst offering panoramic City views and did we mention the glass bathtub? The offer is priced at £1,370 and also includes a bottle of Moet Champagne on arrival, homemade chocolate truffles and rose petals on the bed at turn down.

http://anglerrestaurant.com/

Copa de Cava

For true romance this Valentine’s Day, enjoy perfect pairings of cava and tapas at the beautiful Copa de Cava, the UK’s first dedicated cava bar. Priced at £60 per person, their tasting menu carefully matches six of the best cavas from Spain with creative and authentic tapas. From Presa Ibérica and hand carved jamón, to seafood and cheeses, to a deliciously sweet Crema Catalana, you’ll enjoy a romantic voyage of discovery through Spain’s incredible food and wine producing regions.

Call 0207 125 0930 or email reservationscopadecava@camino.uk.com to book a table. Copa de Cava is located a minute from Blackfriars station and 5 minutes from St Pauls.

Valentine’s Day Special at Plum + Spilt Milk

This Valentine’s Day, Plum + Spilt Milk are offering a delicious sharing menu for two priced at £65 per person including a glass of Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne on arrival, a Native Seafood Platter, 32 Day Aged Beef Wellington and Chocolate Fondue. Located in the newly renovated and incredibly decadent Great Northern Hotel, it is the perfect setting.

http://plumandspiltmilk.com

Valentine’s Menu at Bonnie Gull Seafood Shack

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the ‘seaside restaurant in the City’. Priced at £65 per person, Bonnie Gull has created a unique Valentine’s taster menu including champagne and oysters, halibut, venison as well as a selection of sweet treats. To view the full menu and to keep up to date, please follow the team here. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonnie-Gull/202711063100754?fref=ts

Pont de la Tour – #PontMemories

Iconic Butlers Wharf restaurant, Le Pont de la Tour, has started its Valentine’s Day celebrations early, by running a social media campaign called #PontMemories. They are calling for diners past and present to share happy memories of times spent at the restaurant for a chance to win a complimentary glass of champagne over Valentine’s weekend. In addition, one lucky couple will win a complimentary meal. www.lepontdelatour.co.uk

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Ametsa at The Halkin by COMO

Celebrate the most romantic day of the year by treating your other half to an eight course tasting menu at the Michelin starred Ametsa with Arzak Instruction which specialises in exquisite New Basque Cuisine. The set menu is priced at £105 per person, and at £145 per person with matching wines.

Couples looking for a more casual way to spend the evening can enjoy “Love Bites”, a selection of Ametsa’s delicious Basque tapas dishes served in the cosy Halkin Bar. Priced at £24.50 per person, the menu includes mini desserts and wine pairings. Ametsa is located in the refined and luxurious Halkin by COMO, in London’s Belgravia. For bookings please contact Ametsa on 020 7333 1234 or email ametsa.thehalkin@comohotels.com. www.comohotels.com/thehalkin/dining/ametsa

Shake Shack’s “Valentine”

This Valentine’s Day Shake Shack customers will be given a Shake Shack “Valentine” voucher for a complimentary single cup or cone of their legendary frozen custard.

Dense, rich and creamy ice cream, spun fresh daily right at the Shack, the frozen custard can be redeemed on their next visit through to 31^st March 2014. Any couples dining on the day will also be offered a complimentary glass of prosecco. Happy Valentine’s from the team at Shake Shack!

www.shakeshack.co.uk

Valentine’s at Vertigo 42

This Valentine’s Day couples can enjoy a romantic afternoon tea at London’s highest Champagne bar Vertigo 42. A selection of finger sandwiches, scones and sweet treats can be enjoyed with tea, toasted with a glass of Palmer Rose pink Champagne for £40 per person.

Vertigo 42 is also offering a Valentine’s evening package of a bottle of Palmer Rose Champagne, a canapé sharing platter for two and a selection of macaroons. Served with breathtaking views of the City skyline for £150 per couple. http://www.vertigo42.co.uk/

Fashion Meets Food As Yauatcha & Harvey Nichols Team Up for Chinese New Year

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Frostie

This February sees a unique twist on Chinese New Year with an exclusive collaboration between Michelin-starred Chinese dim sum teahouse Yauatcha, by the internationally acclaimed Hakkasan group, and global luxury fashion destination Harvey Nichols. Renowned for their fantastical and elaborate store windows, the Harvey Nichols visual display team have designed a spectacular one-off window display, to be exhibited at Yauatcha in Soho from 20^th January to 10^th February.

Inspired by the Chinese tradition of spreading luck by gifting friends and family red envelopes containing money, Yauatcha and Harvey Nichols designed the display to capture the essence and ethos of Chinese New Year, the most auspicious date in the Chinese calendar. As 2014 is the Year of the Horse, the creation focuses around a large red origami-style Perspex horse jumping into the front window, with a flowing mane and tail brought to life with almost 1,000 bright red folded envelopes, hand made by luxury paper merchant GFSmith. The window display will extend back into the restaurant, with red paper envelopes flying from the horse and forming patterns in the air above and around guests. Smaller origami horses will also appear along the front and side windows.

Throughout the collaboration each guest at Yauatcha will receive a red envelope containing vouchers for fashion and beauty treats, along with a bespoke Chinese New Year cocktail created by the Yauatcha and Harvey Nichols bar managers and available at the Fifth Floor Bar. During the campaign eight special golden tickets will be given to guests at random, containing lavish prizes such as meals and cocktail masterclasses at Yauatcha and makeovers at Harvey Nichols.

In addition, Hakkasan group’s Executive Pastry Chef Graham Hornigold has created bespoke macarons and petits gateaux, which will be added to the existing array of award-winning desserts, macarons and handmade chocolates. The limited edition flavours include:

Red Macarons depicting the Chinese character for the Year of the Horse, filled with mandarin ganache and mandarin pâte de fruit. Mandarins are traditionally given at Chinese New Year, and symbolise luck and fortune.

Red Petits Gateaux in the shape of a traditional Chinese New Year lantern, depicting the Chinese character for the Year of the Horse. A jasmine mousse filled with a honey panna cotta centre, with caramelised mandarins and sesame brittle. The mandarins symbolise luck and fortune, the sesame seeds fertility.

Price: Macarons – £1.60 each, £9 per 6 pieces, £18 per 12 pieces. Petits gateaux – £5.90 (retail), £8.50 (a la carte).

Guests at Yauatcha on the afternoon of Sunday 2^nd February will view the spectacle of the traditional Chinese dragon dance, with the raucous theatrical procession of the dragon visiting every table with its colourful and noisy celebratory performance.

Burn’s Night At Seven Park Place By William Drabble Review

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

Situated in the luxurious St James Hotel and Club, Seven Park Place is a Michelin-starred venue with all the class you would expect. I joined a fun and varied group of women for a Burn’s Night Preview; a six-course meal with matching wine that finishes with a glass of Highland Park 18-year-old whiskey. This is what we had:

(Sorry about the pictures. They were taken on my Blackberry so I could be discreet)

Uig Lodge smoked haddock soup with whiskey

Seared hand-dived Scottish scallops with garlic puree and parsley oil

The wine we had with these courses: Solo Quinta, Cramele Recas, Romania, 2012

I have never had soup with whiskey before but what a clever idea. This soup is just stunning, with perfectly cooked smoked haddock. I love scallops and these seared scallops with garlic puree and parsley oil were perfect on every level.

Poached Scottish langoustine with buttered cabbage, foie gras sauce and truffle

Ravioli of haggis with confit of turnip, whiskey and thyme jus

The wine served with this course: Riesling Trocken Qba, Sybille Kuntz, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany 2010

The poached langoustine was just superb, one of my fellow diners called it a ‘posh prawn cocktail’. It just tastes like some sort of heaven. The ravioli of haggis is a stunning invention from William Drabble. It is such a smart idea and it tastes amazing, as does the sauce which sounds like a weird combination but really works.

Saddle of Scottish highland venison with beetroot

Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Royale, Koyle Estate, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2009

The venison is perfectly cooked and the whole meal just works amazingly.

Selection of British cheese by Paxton & Whitfield

A wonderful selection of cheese. Very tasty.

Souffle of Scottish raspberries with dark chocolate sauce

Wine: Coteaux-Du-Layon Saint-Aubin, Domaine Des Barres, Loire Valley, France, 2012

This souffle is impressive not just because it tastes delicious, but also because it was huge and arrived from two floors down still beautifully risen. It is the best souffle I have ever had and the dark chocolate sauce is perfect. The texture of the souffle is great. A wonderful dessert. Seven Park Place is a Michelin-starred venue and even if you didn’t know this before you went, it would soon be obvious. The food will be some of the best you have ever tasted and the imagination of the chef is truly impressive.

Chocolate and Apple Truffles

These truffles were unbelievable. And the one in the middle was like a very posh apple fruit pastel. I could eat these everyday and not even care if I got fat. Wow and wow.

And to finish….

A glass of Highland Park 18-year-old Whiskey

What to say? Great whiskey: true luxury.After the meal we got to have a chat with William Drabble and I promptly made him an honoury Scot. I complimented William on his cooking and he swept away the compliment by saying it was the good, Scottish, ingredients. He is far too modest and also said that the food is simple as you have to realise that the other people in the kitchen cannot cook as well as you. William manages to make food heaven in a small kitchen, two-floors down, with a staff of only six. Both impressive and surprising. Williams mantra is, “Make it simple, think about it and make it idiot-proof.” Sounds like the perfect system. In the kitchen they drink tea in the morning and water to clean their palette so they can taste the food properly.During the evening sommelier Marco Feraldi told us about each wine. Marco really knows his stuff and every single wine was amazing. I am very fussy about wine but I loved it all. Especially the Solo Quinta, Cramele Recas, Romania, 2012. I had never tried Romanian wine before but I am now hooked.I had a wonderful evening, the food truly was stunning. The perfect place for the perfect Burns Night.

You can catch the Burn’s Night Menu at Seven Park Place between January 20-26.

Seven Park Place, St James Hotel and Club, 7-8 Park Place, SW1A 1LS.

£72 or £126 with paired wines. (£13 supplement for cheese selection) Phone:020 7316 1615

stjameshotelandclub.com

The Best London Restaurants To Watch Fireworks

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Frostie

BONFIRE NIGHT 2013

On November 5^th, the London skyline will dazzle with fireworks to celebrate Guy Fawkes night. Enjoy the show at one of these top London restaurants:

Angler

Michelin starred British seafood restaurant Angler, located within South Place Hotel, offers guests a stunning terrace in which looks over the City of London from its location near Liverpool Street station. Enjoy some seafood winter warmer dishes such as the Angler and lobster pie, while watching the sky light up and sparkle in between the skyscrapers. www.anglerrestaurant.com

New Street Grill

After tucking into a delicious steak at meat house and grill restaurant New Street Grill, head outside to the terrace shared by adjacent venue The Old Bengal Bar. Sip on some warming colonial cocktails, such as the Royal Daiquiri, while snuggling up under blankets and enjoying the capital’s firework displays. www.oldbengalbar.co.uk

Vivo

Newly opened in Islington, and inspired by the traditional gastronomia and pasticceria of Italy, Vivo is an all day casual dining affair serving authentic and regional cuisine. With a cozy terrace situated on the roof, diners can watch the crackling comets set the sky alight with prosecco in hand, served on tap, and a slice of authentic Romana pizza. www.vivotaste.com

AD12 atT42

Anthony Demetre’s three month pop up restaurant, located on floor 24 of iconic high rise building Tower 42, is the perfect venue to gaze at the stunning fireworks across the capital. Indulge in Demetre’s contemporary European menu which showcases his signature style from his restaurants Arbutus, Wild Honey and Les Deux Salons. Dishes include crisp pigs head, potato purée, pickled turnip; and turbot, butternut squash, girolles, shrimps, salted butter. http://ad12.co.uk/

Min Jiang

Situated on the 10^th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, Min Jiang offers views of Kensington Gardens and London beyond. As the skies light up on 5^th November, guests can sample the firey Chilli Sensation menu and cocktail flight. Available throughout November and costing £65, three fiery cocktails will be paired with a set menu of spicy Chinese specialities. Starters include a choice of Bi Feng Tang Soft Shell Crab or Sichuan Chicken paired with a Sichuan Mary – a hot Bloody Mary. For the main course, a Chilli Caipirinha accompanies a choice of Gong Bao Prawn or MaPo Tofu, both with steamed rice. For a spicy but sweet dessert, a Sichuan Pancake is served with a Chilli Chocolatini. The chilli cocktails can also be sampled at the Min Jiang bar, priced individually or accompanied by Bi Feng Tang Soft Shell Crab for £22.

www.minjiang.co.uk

Where will you be going?

Lima Becomes Europe’s First Michelin Starred Peruvian Restaurant

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Frostie

It was announced this morning in the 2014 Michelin Guide for UK & Ireland that LIMA restaurant in London’s Fitzrovia has achieved the distinction of becoming the first ever Peruvian restaurant in the UK and Europe to be awarded a coveted Michelin star.

The announcement was made at 7.00am this morning by Michelin which is arguably the most revered of all restaurant guides. Having opened in August 2012 to critical acclaim, LIMA is the creation of executive chef Virgilio Martinez and the Gonzalez brothers. The menu, overseen by Martinez and head chef Robert Ortiz, integrates both traditional and contemporary Peruvian cuisine, representing the gastronomic expansion that has taken place in Peru in recent years.

Gabriel Gonzalez, co-owner of LIMA, said, “A Michelin star is an incredible accomplishment. I am so proud of Robert Ortiz and the team at LIMA who work to exceptional standards at every service, and feel this really is a testament to all of our hard work over the past year. To be the first Peruvian restaurant to achieve a star in UK and Europe is a huge accolade.”

Having opened only 13 months ago, Lima has undoubtedly played a huge part in the growing recognition and popularity of Peruvian food in the UK.

LIMA

31 Rathbone Place

London

W1T 1JH

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The House of Peroni Launch Party

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

What: OPENING NIGHT AT THE HOUSE OF PERONI
When: 02.07.13 7PM
Where: 41 PORTLAND PLACE, LONDON. W1B 1QH

We had a ball at the opening of The House of Peroni. The music was great, the people were stylish, and the cocktails were different and stunning. They had Peroni beer in them and looked great too. The food was cooked by the Michelin-Starred Costardi Brothers, Christian and Manuel. There risotto was superb (and served in a can, a great touch) and I also loved their pea soup with mozzarella and croutons. The brothers are head chefs at the family-run Michelin-starred Hotel Cinzia in Vercelli. Their grandparents opened the hotel in 1967. Their food went down a treat and everyone was tucking in without any self consciousness as the food was so great. We even bumped into Antonio Carluccio. If he liked the food, it must be pretty good!

There was also great art, a favourite of mine was by Milan based visual artist Carlo Bernardini. The light artist works with optic fibre. His art is below. His use of light and space was amazing and you could not tell where the walls in the room were. Bernardini is an artist of exceptional talent.

We had an amazing night. Visit the The House of Peroni.soon for a great dose of Italian style.

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The House of Peroni Launch Party

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