Spring is very much on the horizon, we can feel it. With countless new restaurants, cocktail menus and new foodie collaborations popping up all over the capital, now is the perfect time to make the most of the better weather as winter fades into the background. Whether that is a pisco sour or a picnic, we have rounded up some fun foodie things to do this month in the big smoke…
Le Magritte
The beautiful Le Magritte Bar & Terrace nestled into Mayfair’s The Beaumontbelongs to the great tradition of American bars that became legendary in London and Paris during the roaring twenties. Guests feel like Ella Fitzgerald as they are taken to their elegant tables with plush leather seats and handed a menu filled with inventive cocktails. Although just a stone’s throw from one of the most famous streets in London, the five-star hotel and cosy bar feel like an oasis of 1920s glamour and sophistication. Turn left into the hotel and enter the new space for the intimate bar, run by Antonino Lo Iacono. The original location of Le Magritte is now Gatsby’s Room and serves a world-class afternoon tea experience. The drinks list is inspired by René Magritte, the surrealist artist and her works of art. With that in mind, order the Pilgrim 1966 filled with aba pisco and delicious yellow chartreuse or the Oasis 1925 with champagne syrup, gin and pick me up bitters. As well as sensational cocktails, Le Magritte has a long list of bourbons and American whiskies to pick from.
Japanese favourite Marugame Udon has opened two new sites in London – St Christopher’s Place and Canary Wharf. Marugame Udon has chosen the heart of London’s vibrant urban quarter – St Christopher’s Place and London’s central business district – Canary Wharf to give Londoners a taste of Japan’s favourite hand-made udon. Food fanatics and noodle lovers can taste authentic udon with menu favourites the Beef Nikutama (£8.45), udon with beef and caramelised onions in a dashi broth with a poached Onsen egg, or for a more traditional route the Kama Age (£3.45), the purest way to eat udon. Marugame Udon has exciting plans to roll out further sites across London with Argyll Street and Waterloo Station due to open later in 2022. A top tip is to join the Marugame Club; to collect ‘Bowl Stamps’ on each visit to earn treats and rewards.
Haché, has reunited with British-Ukrainian chef and food writer, Olia Hercules, to bring back the Mamushka burger. Originally featured as part of Haché’s lineup of female chef collaborations, the limited-edition Mamushka by Olia Hercules burger will be available again from 7 March until 4 April and will raise funds for #CookForUkraine to support those most in need during the conflict. Meaning mother, and named after Olia’s first and award-winning debut cookbook, the Mamushka burger features a perfectly cooked 6oz prime hachéd burger, topped with crispy streaky bacon, dill mayo and ginger and turmeric-infused beet kraut, all served in a toasted brioche bun. Priced at £14, £5 from every order will be donated directed to UNICEF UK’s Ukraine appeal.
The days are set to be warmer at the end of March and with spring on the horizon, it is the perfect time to make the most of the beautiful parks in London. For non-alcohol alternatives to a boozy daytime drinking session, try VINADA. VINADA is a range of yummy no-alcohol sparkling wines produced using a process that retains most of the wine’s original aroma and taste. There are three wines in the range Crispy Chardonnay, Tinteling Tempranillo Rosé and Amazing Airén Gold. Founded in The Netherlands in 2018 by Jessica Van Spaendonk, who was fed up with other no/low alcohol wines and set out to create a quality wine with a superior taste and balanced flavour. The wine is now available in 29 countries and has just launched in the UK and currently available online. Cheers!
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, don’t get caught up making last minute plans. We’ve rounded up some of the most exciting special events in some of London’s most romantic restaurants, so you can wow your partner this V-Day.
A cosy dinner at Kutir, Chelsea
Behind the doors of an elegant Chelsea townhouse, acclaimed restaurant Kutir boasts beautifully decorated interiors in an intimate, cosy setting that is perfect for a lowkey Valentine’s Day meal.
Chef Rohit Ghai has created a 6-course Valentine’s Day menu of signature dishes, including masala prawns and pheasant with beetroot chutney. The menu is priced at £80pp with additional wine pairing options, and a vegetarian menu is available too.
A romantic meal in private booth at The Colony Grill Room, Mayfair
Transport your date back to the roaring 20’s at The Colony Grill Room, the Beaumont Hotel’s glamorous 20’s-inspired restaurant. The restaurant is led by Chef Ben Boeynaems and offers an incredible menu of transatlantic dishes. Finish off with drinks at Le Magritte which offers creative cocktails inspired by René Magritte and can be enjoyed alongside a luxurious Oysters & Caviar menu.
Champagne and Caviar at Trivet, Bermondsey
For a truly exceptional dining experience, look no further than Trivet, the first solo restaurant from Fat Duck alumni Jonny Lake and Isa Bal. Here, you can enjoy stand-out dishes, including the signature ‘Hokkaido Potato’ dessert, as well as exquisite wines from the 350-strong wine cellar.
For added luxury on Valentine’s Day, indulge in champagne and caviar – in the form of a buttermilk fan-tan with cultured butter and caviar – can be arranged on arrival on February 14 for £95 per couple.
Drag Bingo at Double Standard, King’s Cross
Valentine’s Day certainly doesn’t have to be a drag – especially if you’re going to an incredible night of drag bingo at the Double Standard.
This month’s Valentine’s special will be held on February 14, and will be hosted by long-term host Grace Shush, who will be accompanied by fellow drag superstar, Sue Gives a Fuck. Perfect for those looking for a non-conventional Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s puddings at The Proof, East London
Tantalise your partner’s sweet tooth this Valentine’s Day with a visit to East London bakery, The Proof. This year, The Proof is offering a range of special Valentine’s Day pudds including the L’Amour cake and Profiterole Heart.
The Proof will sculpt their signature profiteroles into heart-shaped wreaths, each pastry filled with crème Chantilly and topped with dark chocolate and gold leaf.
The L’Amour cake features three layers of sponge – either chocolate or vanilla – and is topped with red and white Swiss meringue buttercream. Perfect for a sweet ending to Valentine’s Day.
Dress to the nines at The Ninth, Fitzrovia
Perfect for a romantic meal, The Ninth is a Michelin-starred restaurant that encourages intimate dining with a sharing plate menu, which focuses on simple yet refined Mediterranean-style cooking made with the best seasonal ingredients.
This contemporary French restaurant is a beautifully decorated, sophisticated spot on Fitzrovia’s Charlotte Street, perfect to ramp up the romance on Valentine’s Day.
Leave room for the dessert menu, which includes Chef Jun Tanaka’s signature Pain Perdu.
Native at Browns, Mayfair
The epitome of sustainable chic, Native at Browns sees the foraging-focused restaurant take residency in one of Mayfair’s most luxurious department stores. So, you can finish off your next Valentine’s date with a little retail therapy.
Perfect for treating your eco-conscious partner, small plates to share include wood pigeon kebab with Native harissa, while dessert-lovers can indulge in the signature Marrowmel – a bone marrow and white chocolate caramel. Natural wines and cocktails made with foraged ingredients complete the date. Romance and sustainability going hand in hand – now that’s something we really love. While Native isn’t open on 14 February, it’s open on th 12/13th of February making for a perfect romantic date spot on Valentine’s Day weekend.
Go on a culinary escapade from Italy to Japan at Angelina, Dalston
This Valentine’s Day, guests can enjoy a 10-course Italo-Japanese omakase tasting menu at cult Dalston restaurant Angelina. Dishes include chawanmushi (savoury egg custard)andhamachi with truffle and handmade pasta, all served up in the intimate, candlelit dining room.
For a real celebration, match the menu with Angelina’s ‘rare and old wine’ pairing, showcasing a hand-picked selection of unique and exceptional Italian wines.
Authentic and intimate Italian dining at Luca, Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell’s much-loved Luca is one of London’s most beautiful restaurants and the ideal spot for an intimate dinner on Valentine’s Day.
You can start the romance at Luca’s gorgeous bar for a cocktail and plate of their signature parmesan fries, before moving either into the main dining room or to dine al fresco (if you dare to brave the weather).
The secluded terrace surrounded by olive trees and jasmine is warmed by the open fire, and makes for an idyllic spot to enjoy dishes of rigatoni with pork sausage ragu or taglierini with black winter truffle. It’s amore!
Disclaimer: While Luca isn’t open on 14 February, the restaurant is operating on th 12/13th of February making for a perfect romantic date spot on Valentine’s Day weekend.
Spice up your night at Decimo, The Standard, Kings Cross
Spice up your Valentine’s Day at Decimo which is widely hailed as one of London’s sexiest restaurants. Decimo is the ultimate date night spot, thanks to a mix of incredible Spanish-Mexican cuisine from Michelin-starred Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, playful drinks, plush interiors and unmatched views across the city.
Unmissable menu highlights this Valentine’s Day include the iconic Spanish tortilla (with a caviar-topped version available for those looking to indulge), gambas rojas and chistorra and black bean tacos. While Decimo may not be open on 14 February, it is open on th 12/13th of February making for a perfect romantic date spot on Valentine’s Day weekend.
Chotto Matte is putting on a luxurious Love Parade on Valentine’s Weekend to celebrate love in all its formsincluding love for your girls. The incredible activation has been designed for everyone to enjoy and it’s perfect for a Galentine’s night out!
The event will see the return of the brand’s entertainment programme Chotto Lates, with flamboyant live shows and sensual acts inspired by the wild bird love parades of Peru, perfect hot spot to celebrate love with friends or loved ones.
Sumosan Twiga invites guests to fall truly, madly and deeply in love this Valentine’s Weekend!
On Saturday 12th, guests will enjoy celebrations late into the night at the famous Sloane Street location. Live entertainment throughout the night will feature the best of Cabaret, from pin up singers and cancan dancers to trumpet players, drummers, and even a mime, captivating the audience all night long.
Meanwhile, on Monday the 14th of February, Sumosan Twiga will ensure guests have a wonderfully romantic experience with live music, saxophone players and an incredible tango duo to set the mood alight.
The earlier sitting, costing £120 per person, will welcome guests from 6:30pm with a glass of Kir Royale followed by a selection of Sushi and Maki Rolls, carefully chosen by Chef Alessandro Scala.
Enjoy a ‘Lovestruck’ cocktail composed of Beefeater pink gin, sour mix, strawberry puree and topped with basil leaves alongside a three-course set menu (£24.95) including Bill’s infamous Crispy Chicken and Sesame Dumplings.
No Valentine’s meal is complete without dessert, opt for either the Sharing Profiteroles, complete with vanilla ice, hot chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of gold glitter, or the ever-indulgent Carrot Cake Doughnuts.
If you’re looking for a special place to celebrate with your partner or gather your best friends for that ‘Galentine’s Day’ experience, Bill’s is ready to treat you to the most romantic evening.
With Omicron throwing a massive wrench into everyone’s winter travel plans, we’re getting our alpine fix at The Botanist Gin’s new alpine themed winter terrace at The Shangri-La London’s Bar 31.
Located on the ground floor of The Shard, Bar 31 or better yet Hütte 31, has been transformed into a winter wonderland, inspired by the cosy ski chalets of the alps.
Team Coco babe Hannah Tan-Gillies ventured into wintery London bridge, to visit Hütte 31 which is the next best thing to enjoying a mulled wine, après ski, in the slopes. The Winter Terrace is covered in small huts (appropriately so) each one decked out in comfy fur blankets, heaters, and whimsical snow-covered touches. All looking like it could be lifted straight from Verbier.
While you may think that gin and après-ski don’t go hand-in-hand, The Botanist proves otherwise. The Botanist Gin menu at Bar 31 reimagines all your favourite gin cocktails with a wintery twist. The Junipear is a blend of The Botanist, poire Williams and thyme, while the Lady Rossa is a warming blend of The Botanist, ruby port, sweet vermouth and citrus. Both unexpected concoctions, that worked surprisingly well with the Austrian-inspired dishes on offer.
The food is appropriately festive, with plenty of après ski classics like the Chicken Schnitzel Roll, dressed with Lingonberry sauce, lettuce and leritage tomatoes, and the Nürnberger Sausage which is served with sauerkraut in a Kaiser roll. The Pork Bun is also wonderfully delicious and comes with white cabbage salad, mustard and caraway mayonnaise.
The Austrian Charcuterie platter and French fries with truffle and parmesan are excellent starters to pair with The Botanist Gin cocktail, perfectly complementing the menu filled with guilty pleasures. End the evening with a delicious mulled wine – close your eyes and it’s like you’ve been transported to the snow-covered peaks of Switzerland.
So, while we’ve all had to put a collective pause on this year’s ski season, why not pay a visit to Hütte 31, a playful yet authentic take on après ski right at the heart of London Bridge.
The Experimental Group’s fabulous Miracle pop-up has landed at Henrietta Hotel bringing enough Christmas cheer to brighten up even the dreariest of Decembers. #TeamCoco babes Hannah Tan-Gillies and Hannah Gregory checked out Covent Garden’s most festive pop-up, which transformed the hotel’s mezzanine into a wonderfully whimsical winter wonderland.
Described as the ‘perfect pitstop’ for a Christmassy cocktail, the Miracle pop-up is a fully-immersive space that transports visitors back in time to a 70’s Christmas home. Upon climbing up the stairs you are greeted with an appropriately over the top lighting display, larger than life Christmas tree, and every single retro Christmas decoration ever invented, creating a wonderfully kitschy escape from the realities of daily life.
At the bar, Santa’s little helpers (or in this case Miracle’s expert elvish mixologists) conjure up some fabulously festive cocktails with names to match. The ‘Christmapolitan’ – a crowd favourite — combines Vodka, Elderflower, Dry Vermouth and Spiced Cranberry Sauce. Meanwhile, the ‘Yippie Ki Yay Mother F*****!’ is another cheeky concoction of Barbados rum and rum Agricole, with hints of coconut and pineapple juice that proves (once and for all) that Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie. There are also ‘Nice and Naughty’ Shots – depending on how naughty you’re feeling during your visit.
There are plenty of festive nibbles too. The Italian Charcuterie is perfect to balance out the sweet flavours of Miracle’s holiday-themed cocktails, while Lamb and Cumin skewers with spicy mayo offers just the right kick to add a flavour punch to your meal. The Wild Mushrooms and Cheese croquettes, our personal favourite, are hearty bite-sized treats that pair perfectly with a serving of Miracle’s ‘Jingle Balls Nog.’
So, whether you’ve been naughty or nice, if you’re looking for an experience to ramp up the Christmas vibes, then definitely head over to the Miracle pop-up at Henrietta Hotel. You’ll get enough Christmas cheer to last you another year (at least!).
Queen of Hoxton, the queen of cool East London rooftop hangs, is welcoming the return of its winter Alice in Winterland pop-up, which took TeamCoco babe Hannah Tan-Gillies down the rabbit hole (in this case up) into the wonderful world of Lewis Carroll’s fantastical tale.
A firm fixture in London’s nightlife calendar, the fabulously immersive Alice in Winterland pop-up is appropriately over-the-top and transforms Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop garden into a world of mind-boggling possibilities. After climbing the spiralling staircase, guests are rewarded with a special drink – and can only guess whether they shall shrink or grow, as they enter a red and white circus tent – filled with floating teacups, cards and everything else you can imagine.
Here, you can meet the White Rabbit, explore vibrant visual displays, get a glimpse of the Cheshire Cat, peek into the keyhole and explore a world where nothing is quite what it seems.
To celebrate the pop-up, Queen of Hoxton has also launched an appropriately ‘mad’ cocktail menu which offers a few jaw-dropping potions to tantalise your tastebuds. We loved the ‘Wonderland Winter Warmer’ which was a warm, bubbling spiced rum and sherry concoction, perfect for drinking around the rooftop’s fire pit. ‘Alice’s Awake Potion’ is the pop-up’s version of an espresso martini, complete with a salted caramel twist, while the ‘Always late After 8’ is a dangerous blue-green vodka and crème de menthe blend.
The ‘Jam Jar Jabberwocky’, a blend of Kopparberg Gin, apple and lemon juice and topped with ginger beer is as easy on the eyes as it is on the palette while the ‘Mad as a Hatter Mule’ blends portobello and blueberry gin for a sensationally delicious take on a Moscow mule.
The Alice in Wonderland pop-up also offers a short but satisfying menu which includes the Wonderland Burger, Queen of Hearts Katsu Burger and Mad Hatter’s Vegan Burger – all wonderfully hearty – and perfect for a night out in winter.
So, grab your watches and take a trip to Winterland where you can go on a truly mad tea party – unlike anything London has ever seen.
The summer heat may be gone and autumn on the horizon, but before we pack up our bikinis for good – we’re pulling out all the stops for the last picnic of the season. We’ve rounded up some of #TeamCoco’s favourite canned cocktails, seltzers and no-and-low alcohol drinks so you can enjoy your last summer barbecue in style.
We’re obsessed with Truly Hard Seltzers which offers its delicious seltzer blends in all shapes and sizes from cans, lemonade, iced tea, punch and even hard candies. These refreshing fizzy drinks offer a powerful vodka punch with just the right amount of sugar – so you can rest assured you won’t be suffering from a hangover the next day.
We love Truly classics like Wild Berry and Black Cherry, which will overload you with fresh summer flavours even well past the season.
Strykk’s non-alcoholic range of spirits is perfect for those on the mend after music festival season. Strykk is one of the first non-alcoholic brands to replicate the flavour of mainstream spirits, without 100% natural formulas that have no sugar, carbs nor any artificial flavouring. Strykk has just released a non-alcoholic Not Vanilla V*dka, the first of its kind in the UK, which is infused with Madagascan vanilla bean, and its absolutely delicious. It is also the key ingredient to creating a non-alcoholic Passionfruit Martini that’s easy on your liver.
Italian sparkling wine brand Pale Fox Prosecco promises to shake up your spritz game with these wonderfully aesthetic Wild Strawberry Spritz Kits. The kits are a pale-pink take on the classic Aperol Spritz and are based on Pale Fox’s signature Wild Strawberry Spritz cocktail.
Each kit includes a 75cl bottle of Pale Fox Single Estate Prosecco, 12ml of Bitter Amaro (a craft Italian Amaro that replaces the traditional Aperol in this light and sweet cocktail), 150ml Wild Strawberry Syrup, 330ml Dash Lemon and six juicy orange wheels to garnish. The kits, which come in a wonderfully elegant case and have everything you need to put together six delicious cocktails, minus all the mess. No wonder we’re so obsessed.
Our Fashion Editor Hannah Tan-Gillies ventured into Fitzrovia to try out the METAXA Summer Spritz Terrace at Ampéli, London’s coolest new Mediterranean restaurant.
Buzzy, bustling Charlotte Street is one of our favourite foodie spots in town to discover new locales and gastronomic surprises. Located in the heart of Fitzrovia, Ampéli is a wonderful Mediterranean bistro that has given us yet another reason to frequent Charlotte Street.
Ampéli offers a curated menu of Greek-inspired dishes, made only with the best locally-sourced ingredients in town.
Inside, Ampéli is atmospheric, inviting and warmly lit. With deep green banquettes and an array of quirky art on the walls, it is the ideal setting for a date night or even a long-awaited post-lockdown meetup with your pals.
We experienced the Summer Spritz terrace, launched in partnership with Greek amber spirit METAXA, which is perfect for a late summer weekday catchup. We started with the glorious and sumptuous Ampéli breadbasket. A smorgasbord of sourdough, lavash and pita, drizzled with delicious Cretan olive oil and partnered with a vegan dip of barrel-aged feta and roasted red pepper. As an aperitif, pair this with the Aegean Spritz, a truly Greek cocktail made with delicious METAXA 12 (a House of Coco favourite), Matisha and 3 Cents Grapefruit soda.
“Finish off with a Samos Negroni, made with METAXA 12, Campari and Martini Rosso and for a moment, you may even forget grey, gloomy London and be transported to a sunny terrace on the Greek Islands.“
This was followed by the exemplary Wild Bass ceviche, which was served with avocado mousse, preserved lemon and Ouzo dressing. The ceviche balanced the delicate textures of wild bass with the zesty flavours of lemon and was a good palate cleanser for the next course, the grilled pork chop.
The pork, paired with Trombetta courgettes and roasted pepper sauce, was cooked to absolute perfection and balanced hearty flavours with unexpected citrus notes. Served with crispy potatoes with citrus mayonnaise and dill, the pork was a danger to my all-white ensemble and to any diet you have been trying to hold onto this summer.
To end your culinary sojourn to the Greek islands, we highly recommend finishing with the Loukoumades, a traditional Greek cinnamon doughnut dish, served with chocolate sauce or Mountain Tea syrup. Finish off with a Samos Negroni, made with METAXA 12, Campari and Martini Rosso and for a moment, you may even forget grey, gloomy London and be transported to a sunny terrace on the Greek Islands.
Click here to book the METAXA Summer Spritz Terrace at Ampéli and learn more about METAXA at www.metaxa.com
Our girl Hannah Tan-Gilies ventured into bustling Oxford Circus to sample the Japanese Izakaya-inspired menu of Flesh & Buns.
Flesh & Buns is a duo of restaurants with locations in both Oxford Circus and Covent Garden. Inspired by hedonism, yet still with a touch of Japanese restraint, Flesh & Buns certainly lures you in from the outside and is the ideal spot for date night or a mid-week catchup with the girls.
The space is divided by Minka-style sliding doors, offering maximum privacy, whilst transporting diners to one of Tokyo’s neon-lit side streets where Japanese Izakaya restaurants are aplenty. Flesh & Buns offers plenty of Izakaya-treats to feast on, with a menu that is distinctively Japanese-inspired yet also blended with a contemporary twist.
We sampled a dazzling array of small plates, paired with some delicious cocktails and sake, that pushed the boundaries of traditional Izakaya. The corn tempura, made with sea salt, Kabosu citrus and chives, is a good place to start, followed by the grilled pardon peppers. The Tuna Yaki (short for Yakitori) was simple yet bursting with flavour and came topped with Bonito flakes. The Korean Fried Wings are hearty (and very messy) but certainly packed the flavour punch as well.
Moving onto big plates, we tried the delicious Smoked Pork Ribs, which offered just the right amount of sweetness and glazed with a chilly honey sauce. We also sampled the Salmon Teriyaki which was perfectly cooked and garnished with traditional cucumber pickles.
By the time we reached desserts, there was almost no room for anything more. However, Kinako donuts, made with black sugar custard, certainly can’t be missed. Flesh & Buns refreshing selection of ice creams and sorbets also provide just the right sweet finish to what was already a truly excellent and appropriate hedonistic meal.
If you’re trying to find ways to spruce up these grey and rainy summer days, then we suggest indulging in a Pale Fox Prosecco Wild Strawberry Spritz Kit, because who says you can’t create your own continental alfresco experience at home?
Italian sparkling wine brand Pale Fox Prosecco promises to shake up your spritz game with these wonderfully aesthetic Wild Strawberry Spritz Kits. The kits are a pale-pink take on the classic Aperol Spritz and are based on Pale Fox’s signature Wild Strawberry Spritz cocktail.
Each kit includes a 75cl bottle of Pale Fox Single Estate Prosecco, 12ml of Bitter Amaro (a craft Italian Amaro that replaces the traditional Aperol in this light and sweet cocktail), 150ml Wild Strawberry Syrup, 330ml Dash Lemon and six juicy orange wheels to garnish.
The kits, which come in a wonderfully elegant case and have everything you need to put together six delicious cocktails, minus all the mess.
Pale Fox Prosecco was named in honour of its birthplace, the ‘Valle delle Volpi’ or Valley of the Foxes in the Northern Italian province of Veneto. This delicious, sparkling wine is made from pale Glera grapes grown at the foothills of the Alps.
Pale Fox Prosecco was launched in Spring 2020 by English wine enthusiasts Mark Hill and Harry Cooke, who were on a mission to develop the highest-quality prosecco on the market.
I received my Pale Fox Prosecco Wild Strawberry Spritz Kit just in time to liven up a backyard barbecue. The Wild Strawberry Spritzes were very easy to make and took the focus away from the grey storm clouds looming in the distance and the constant threat of rain which persevered throughout the day.
On its own, Pale Fox Prosecco is delicious without being too sweet and has a softness similar to champagne. It is the perfect bottle to elevate your alfresco hang or to add some style to your next backyard barbecue.
You can buy your own Pale Fox Prosecco Wild Strawberry Spritz Kit here www.palefoxprosecco.com
One step into this majestic palace of glass, crystal and pure, tantalising atmosphere — and you’ll easily why Brasserie of Light is one of London’s most impeccable dining destinations.
We were led to our booth, coloured in a cool pastel blue, facing the double-height windows that overlooked Duke Street. Behind us was the restaurant’s centrepiece, the infamous crystal-encrusted Pegasus sculpture by Damien Hirst. Pegasus is frozen in time, in that moment before taking flight, as if signalling the grandeur of the culinary journey we too were about to embark on.
The menu is an eccentric blend of British classics and pan-Asian cuisine. A blend of East and West, it offered plenty of pizzazz using the best seasonal ingredients you can find. We started with a Peach Bellini as an aperitif, swiftly followed by the Seared Scallops, Pea Purée, and Broad Beans, and Tuna Carpaccio with Citrus Ponzu sauce, Spiced Avocado Purée, and Sesame Seeds. The scallops were firm yet succulent, offering rich sea flavours balanced with a citrus twist, while the Tuna Carpaccio was exceedingly fresh.
We followed with the Bang Bang Chicken Salad, with just the right amount of spice, that was a crunchy, sweet, and savoury explosion on the palate.
For the mains, we sampled the Aromatic Duck Curry, another Pan-Asian inclusion in the menu, that was rich and creamy, perfectly accompanied by a bowl of steaming jasmine rice. We also tried the Miso Black Cod, which arrived wrapped in a leaf, almost folded like an origami paper boat, and perfectly seasoned with Picked Fennel and Miso Sauce.
As someone suffering from dairy, egg, and wheat intolerances, finding an appropriate dessert is often difficult and sometimes downright impossible, but Brasserie of Light certainly found a way.
Continuing with its show-stopping theme, I tried the ‘Dessert Island’ which was very much a wonderful, intricately displayed concoction of fruits and sorbets.
After more than a year of home-cooked meals and takeaways, Brasserie of Light certainly makes a case for the soul-enriching glamour of the restaurant dining experience. From décor to menu and service, Brasserie of Light was faultless. A testament to why we should be dressing up, going out and returning to our favourite restaurants as soon and as often as possible.
