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“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” 
– Edith Sitwell

The weather is turning and all we want to do is curl up with a bowl of soup and wear ugly Christmas jumpers. But just because the weather’s getting frosty, doesn’t mean your social life has to suffer. In the spirit of embracing the winter months, here’s 5 delicious, warming things to eat this week in London:

1. The Warming Picnic: DUKES Picnics in Green Park

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food in london, london, london food, best restaurants in london, 5 things you need to eat this week, what to eat in London, london menus

What: This is the most fantastic idea for living out the most of the winter months – DUKES is offering an outdoor picnic butler service equipped with hot water bottles, shrugs and heated blankets.

Why: Renowned for embracing all that is British, DUKES, the luxury hotel in Mayfair, is offering Picnics in Green Park, until the end of October. The hamper options include your own private picnic butler, who will deliver your picnic to the desired location at a time to suit for only £32 per person.

Eat: Warming gourmet picnic items, including pumpkin and parmesan soup, hearty venison & black pudding sausage, broccoli, chestnut and onion tart. Finish with hot chocolate and marshmallows, and stilton and cheese, before taking a little kip in the park. 

Book: From £32 per person – book here

For more picnic ideas, see here.

2. The Warming Lunch: POD’s New Autumn Menu

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What: We like POD. It’s just the right level of healthy; tasty, fresh, but not virtuously so. Their new Autumn menu is designed to boost your immune system, keep up energy levels and comfort at the same time. Hello lentil salad, goodbye winter cold.

Why: Lots of the menu items are gluten-free and dairy-free. Not fun-free, mind.

Eat: The delicious Salmon Detox Box (£5.99) with avocado, kale, nori wrap and pickled ginger, and Hot Pods, which are suitable for Coeliacs and vegans. Our favourite is the Malaysian Lemongrass Chicken (£5.99) which comes on a nutty three-grain rice mix. Also try the Energy Pods, which are designed to sustain you all day long: the Smoked Moroccan Chicken (£4.50) with quinoa and dates is a winner. 

For Top 5 sushi ideas, see here.
For more vegan ideas, see here.
For more gluten-free ideas, see here.

3. The Warming Drink: Whisky Highballs at London Restaurant Festival

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What: You can’t get much more warming than a Whisky highball. If you’re a whisky lover, join the Japanese Journey event during London Restaurant Festival with Suntory Whisky – the tour takes place all-day and you’ll try 6 of the best Japanese restaurants in London, with each dish paired with a Suntory whisky drink.

Why: It’s a really fun way to sample incredible Japanese food in London – you get a ‘passport’ to try the various restaurants on the tour, and can enjoy it at your own pace.

Eat: Whisky Highballs are a blend of soda, whisky and ice – and work particularly well to refresh the palate when eating intense Asian flavours. The Japanese Journey tours six of London’s most exquisite Japanese restaurants: don’t miss the incredible starters at Kurobuta and food at Sticks ‘n’ Sushi. Heaven.

When: 18th October and 25th October 2014 – buy tickets here

For more bar ideas, see here.

4. The Warming Tea Tipple: Royal Opera House

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What: Is there anything finer than a day at the opera? The only thing that could make it more fantastic are scones and clotted cream in my books. The Royal Opera House has just launched their new afternoon tea service – so you can dine in the beautiful glass-vaulted Paul Hamlyn Hall without having to purchase a performance ticket.

Why: It’s the most beautiful setting for tea imaginable – the exquisite Victorian conservatory setting was designed by E.M. Barry as part of the Covent Garden fruit, vegetable and flower market and the exotic floral design is complemented by the stage props that line the walls.

Eat: Beautifully presented classic tea. Think: smoked salmon blinis, banoffee macarons and pistachio éclairs with praline grains. And, of course, freshly baked scones served with seasonal jams and Dorset clotted cream. While you’re there, order an Earl Grey martini for us. 

Book: Tea at the Royal Opera House is priced at £37.50, and with a glass of Ruinart Champagne at £47.50.

For more afternoon tea ideas, see here.

5. The (Heart) Warming Dinner: Candle Lit Evenings at Andaz Liverpool Street

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food in london, london, london food, best restaurants in london, 5 things you need to eat this week, what to eat in London, london menus

What: This is special. The beautiful Grade 11 listed restaurant at Andaz Liverpool Street has just launched candlelit dinners; picture over 350 candles twinkling against the magnificent backdrop of this former ballroom.

Why: It takes 10 people to light up the entire room, making it an incredible and intimate dining experience. You’ll listen to soothing live violin music and enjoy sensational British food. 

Eat: Pannacotta artichoke with poached egg and mushroom foam, pan-fried Cornish sea bass with mange tout and carrot puree served over couscous.

Book: Candlelight Evenings at Andaz Liverpool Street are now available every last Wednesday of the month at no additional cost – book here.

For more unusual restaurant ideas, see here.
For our Top 5 winter warmer breakfasts, see here.