5 Ways to Eat Christmas in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
Introducing our new weekly column in the run-up to Christmas. Every Tuesday until Christmas, we’ll be serving up new and exciting ways to get in the festive spirit in London! From boozy hot chocolates to Flat White Martinis, here’s 5 ways to eat and drink Christmas in London this week. Ho ho ho.
1. Drink Christmas in a Hot Chocolate: Hyatt Regency
What: Escape the pandemonium of Central London and enter through The Churchill Bar’s magical wardrobe doors to its very own enchanted land of Narnia. No winter terrace is complete without a delicious selection of warming cocktails; The Churchill Bar is no exception, with an exclusive winter cocktail menu curated by their expert bar team together with Green & Black’s Organic.
Why: Settle in to cosy fur-lined seats and for the chillier evenings, stay snug with The Churchill Bar’s signature cashmere throws and hot water bottles, before tucking into their boozy hot chocolates. The menu features a range of different drinks, all in keeping with the Narnia theme. Sip on Beaver’s Brew – a combination of Green & Black’s Organic 85% Cacao with Harviestoun Old Engine Oil porter and the subtle spice of Bacardi Oakheart, then heated with brown sugar and cream or Edmund’s Temptation with Amaretto, Galliano, Cherry Herring, honey and Green & Black’s White Chocolate.
Price: Cocktails from £16
Where: 30 Portman Square, London W1H 7BH
2. Eat Christmas in a Festive Menu: Blixen
What: Blixen, the informal European brasserie in Spitalfields, has just launched their festive menus. Up for grabs is their classic Christmas menu and a Blixen Christmas menu full to the brim with delicious offerings; nothing screams Christmas more than a Norfolk turkey crown with honey truffle parsnips.
Why: All menus are three courses, with the classic Christmas menu including shared starters of hot smoked sea trout, beets, horseradish and tarragon vinaigrette, and burrata, confit fennel, tomato, nocellara olives. For mains, feast on roast pork belly or the salt, herb and lemon baked market fish. Dishes on the Blixen Christmas menu includes oysters to share, beef strip loin with bone marrow and butter roasted goose served alongside chestnuts and pear. Save room for pud, order either the pear and fig tart or the raw cacao and boozy cherry tart.
Price: Classic Christmas Menu – £35 pp. Blixen Christmas Menu – £48pp
Where: Blixen, 65a Brushfield Street London, E1 6AA
Photo Credit: Paul Winch-Furness
3. Drink Christmas in a Martini: Selfridge’s Forest
What: Forest on the Roof is the latest pop-up at Selfridges. Taking inspiration from the outdoors, the enchanted forest allows you to enjoy hearty comfort food and seasonal cocktails under the stars. Making its debut appearance on the Christmas cocktail menu is the new Baileys Flat White martini.
Why: The concept of the Baileys Flat White Martini was a no-brainer for bar supremos in the UK. Having seen the popularity of the Espresso martini, coupled with recent trends demonstrating a demand for more coffee cocktails, never before has there been a better time to shake up the seasonal cocktail list with a new addition. The Baileys Flat White Martini is a heavenly mix of part espresso, part vodka, a splash of Baileys Original Irish Cream, and ice cubes. Pop down yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
Price: £12.50
Where: Enter via Express Lift in Fragrance on G
4. Enjoy Christmas in an Advent Calendar: Village East
What: Taking Christmas anticipation to a whole new level, Bermondsey-based restaurant and bar Village East are launching London’s first in-restaurant advent calendar starting today. We like prizes and we like Christmas – win win.
Why: Handed out every day until 23rd December, gourmet prizes include breakfast at Village East, dinner at The Riding House Café, a gift box from locally produced Jensen’s Gin, tickets to the Design Museum with dinner for two at Blueprint Café, a magnum of Prosecco and a cocktail marathon to be enjoyed with friends. All you have to need to do to be in with a chance of winning an advent treat, is to fill out the form issued with the menu upon arrival, then wait for the daily December 9pm draw.
Price: Free (if you win)
Where: Village East, 171-173 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UW
Photo Credit: Paul Winch-Furness
5. Eat Christmas in an Afternoon Tea: Flemings Mayfair
What: All throughout the festive season, warm up and indulge with Fleming Mayfair’s traditional afternoon tea service sprinkled with seasonal sparkle, served daily 12:30-5pm in the elegant Drawing Room – fresh from a dazzling refurbishment earlier this year.
Why: Sip your favourite tea from the East India Tea Company and enjoy extra special festive petit fours of gingerbread men, Christmas pudding slices, marble cake and mini mascarpone and raspberry tarts. Alternatively, try the Chocolate Indulgence Afternoon Tea, which includes a glass of pink Champagne, chocolate scones and chef’s selection of chocolate petit fours.
Price: £34.50
Where: Flemings Mayfair, 7-12 Half Moon Street, Mayfair, London W1J 7BH
