Located in sleepy Richmond, with views overlooking the Thames, The Mitre Hampton Court is our top choice for the ultimate dog-friendly winter staycation this holiday season. Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies and intrepid doggy rePAWter TeamCocopup Charlie ventured out to foggy Hampton Court to experience the festive delights of the hotel themselves.
Beautifully illuminated in fairy lights, you’ll see the façade of Mitre Hampton Court from a mile away. The hotel sits right on the edge of the Thames, giving it an almost ethereal quality that is absolutely ideal for evoking Christmas cheer. So much so, that not even the horrendous Surrey holiday traffic could dampen our spirits.
This characterful boutique hotel is as eccentric as it is cosy. Art is everywhere in this 17th-century Grade II listed hotel, from the illustrated map of surrey to playful portraits of King Henry dotted throughout. You are greeted by a glass of Taylors Port upon arrival, a perfectly warming gesture that hints at the level of service you can expect at The Mitre Hampton Court.
The hotel is hosting a wonderfully cosy Taylors Port pop-up in the terrace which is adorned with Parisian style furniture, outdoor kitchen, twinkling lights and roaring fires. We recommend sampling one of Taylor’s signature cocktails, which includes a Porto Negroni, Port Old Fashioned or LBV Martini before going for dinner at the lovely 1665 restaurant.
Led by Chef Mark Jarvis the gorgeous riverside 1665 restaurant offers British classics with an eclectic twist. We started off with the Teriyaki cauliflower popcorn and the wonderfully indulgent panko-crusted Brie. For mains, don’t skip the Pork Belly, which is tender, crunchy, savoury and perfect for a winter meal.
The house wine, a Domaine de Saissac Cabernet Sauvignon, was the perfect choice to pair with our hearty winter meal which ended with a slice of the restaurant’s delicious (and slightly savoury) burnt basque cheesecake – which was a revelation in and of itself.
Breakfast is served at The Boathouse, where you can enjoy a nice cuppa while overlooking the Thames. The plant bowl is delish, but so too are the classic Eggs Benedict and Full English options. Almost all restaurants in Mitre Hampton Court have dedicated areas where you doggy can dine with you – which obviously gives it plus points from me and Charlie.
We stayed in the Thames View suite, which as the name suggests, has incredible riverside views. A gorgeous red patterned wallpaper decorates the space, while a handsome freestanding bath is a clear focal point. Designed by Nicola Harding, the room was spacious, colourful and appropriately festive.
There was a dog bed, dog bowls, dog toys and dog treats for Charlie too – who of course loved all the special treatment.
So – whether you are ‘In The Tub’ or ‘Out to Court’ (playful door signs which feature King Henry and Queen Charlotte respectively), there is certainly plenty to love at Mitre Hampton Court. We think it may even be the best festive dog friendly staycation this side of the Thames.
Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies has been scouring London for the cosiest, bougiest and most romantic winter terraces and experiences in London – that are perfect for cuffing season.
Beloved Belgravia establishment The Hari has teamed up with famed Champagne house Ruinart for their winter terrace, which is open until 5 January. Under cosy heaters at the alfresco terrace, you and your boo can enjoy Ruinart’s Champagne accompanied by a selection of seasonal bites including Maldon oysters, a charcuterie board or a sumptuous baked Camembert.
Not to mention, the Hari’s talented bar team have also created a limited-edition cocktail for the season — The Gold 1729. This appropriately festive concoction is a sparkling cocktail combining grape juice, Hennessy, apricot brandy and topped with R de Ruinart Brut Champagne, served in a coupette. What better way to toast the holidays?
Ramp up the festive vibes at The Goring, which has unveiled a mini ‘Winter Wonderland’ via an adorable giant snow globe installation. Designed and scented by British scent mavericks Jo Loves, the snow globe is the spot to capture the perfect winter selfie. Big enough for two people to step inside and equipped with vintage polaroid cameras for a memento to take away, you can get all the Winter Wonderland feels minus the tourist hoards. Plus, we think that spending an evening enjoying the expertly crafted cocktails (paired with delicious nibbles) at the bar is the very best way to catch up with a girlfriend this holiday season.
The Goring Cocktail Bar has an impressive selection of Champagnes, wines by the glass, and of course delicious cocktails. Led by Bar Manager Roberto Ferrero and his expert team of bartenders (who will shower you with compliments as you imbibe) the experience is elegant, festive and a perfect pick me up amidst the Christmas party rush. Click here for our full review.
Tattu London has teamed up with Grey Goose and Patron to offer a delightful new winter terrace experience called ‘The Great Snow’. Tattu is inviting Londoners to step into a winter wonderland encased in ice. Its iconic cherry blossom trees having bid farewell to warm weather foliage and now turned crystalline blue, branches glinting like fairy lights guiding us through the darkest months is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner date in town.
Dominating everyone’s Instagram feeds since it opened in Bloomsbury, Dalloway Terrace is a must-see in terms of festive winter terraces. This year, Dalloway Terrace has partnered with Perrier-Jouët Champagne for a Belle Epoque-inspired terrace that will take your breath away.
The Mitre in Hampton Court, a well-loved Surrey establishment, is hosting a fabulously cosy Taylors Port pop-up overlooking the Thames.
Located in sleepy Hampton Court and adorned with Parisian style furniture, outdoor kitchen, twinkling lights and roaring fires, we enjoyed a few warming glasses of Taylor’s Port paired with some of The Mitre’s classic dishes.
You can also sample one of Taylor’s signature cocktails, which includes a Porto Negroni, Port Old Fashioned or LBV Martini. With the largest vintage port list in London, lovers of the tipple will be spoilt for choice. Oh, and did we mention that Mitre Hampton Court was dog friendly too? Meaning you can enjoy this cosy winter terrace with your four-legged bestie in tow. Click here for our full review.
Ramp up the festive vibes at The Goring, which has unveiled a mini ‘Winter Wonderland’ via an adorable giant snow globe installation. Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies went to check it out.
Designed and scented by British scent mavericks Jo Loves, the snow globe at The Goring is the spot to capture the perfect winter selfie. Big enough for two people to step inside and equipped with vintage polaroid cameras for a memento to take away, you can get all the Winter Wonderland feels minus the tourist hoards.
Plus, we think that spending an evening enjoying the expertly crafted cocktails (paired with delicious nibbles) at The Goring Lounge bar is the very best way to catch up with a girlfriend this holiday season.
The Goring Cocktail Bar has an impressive selection of Champagnes, wines by the glass, and of course delicious cocktails. Led by Bar Manager Roberto Ferrero and his expert team of bartenders (who will shower you with compliments as you imbibe) the experience is elegant, festive and a perfect pick me up amidst the Christmas party rush.
We sampled some of the specialties including the Okawari, which is a refreshing combination of Yuzu, Akashi Tai Peach Soda and Mt Fuji Bitters. This wonderful cocktail, served in a traditional Japanese teacup, serves up authentic Japanese flavours in perfect harmony.
Next up, The Flower Duet. Served in a Champagne flute and combining Leblon Cachaça, Blueberry 7 Rose Silent Pool and Ayala Champagne, this delicate spritz pays homage The Goring’s secret garden and is a perfect cocktail for all year round.
Finally, we ended with The King’s Cure. While the cocktail does take inspiration from the restorative penicillin cocktail, this fireside sipping drink combines Goring 9 Years, Cacao Butter, Kin’s Ginger, honey, pink peppercorns that is so delicious it is definitely fit for a king. The perfect remedy for the winter blues.
Food writer and resident House of Coco chef visits Bossa, London’s hottest new restaurant and takes a Brazilian flavoured trip down memory lane.
My one and only experience of Brazil is that of a second gap year – one taken after university because I really didn’t want to get a proper job (still don’t). It was a magical place, partying in the streets of Lapa, recovering on the beaches of Isla Grande, wandering the shoreline of Rio and discovering the depths of the Pantanal. My memories are plentiful and those that revolve around food, some of my favourite. A staple of rice & beans doused in Farofa and lashings of chilli sauce being my most beloved. The infamous churrasco kick starting my obsession with fire cooking and the out of this world sushi as plentiful as the Cachaca to cater for the huge Japanese community – the largest outside of Japan. I went there with no expectations and left obsessed with rich flavours and dishes that were packed with history as well as deliciousness.
Fast forward a few years and though I am still to make it back, I enjoy voyeuring from a far at the bustling food scene, pawing over the works of Alex Atala and circling each restaurant that appears on the top 50 list – I lust from afar.
When the invite landed in my inbox to visit Bossa, a refined modern reimagination of Brazilian food, I jumped at the chance. Since being on UK soil and lusting after the flavours of Brazil, I had dabbled with some restaurants that claimed to transport me back to that place. Sure, the novelty of seeing a sword of Picanha steaks in the UK was fun but it never quite hit the spot. Was this my chance to sample plates of real Brazilian flavours, fruits plucked from the Amazon, wines still to be discovered by the masses hailing from the southern part of the country, interpretations of pulses and grains not often seen in our dark and dismal land?
Setting the scene – elegant, serene, chic.
Heaving open the heavy wooden door, embossed with brass lettering proudly stating the name Bossa, a Brazilian flag fluttering from flagpole high above. I was greeted by an elegant, chic space, all clean lines and polished finishes where the staff are as perfectly placed as the interiors.
An open kitchen allows diners to watch the brigade work, each chef dedicated to their station, prepping garnish, stirring sauces, seasoning protein with precision and flair. Cleverly positioned tables and countertop dining allowing the spectacle of the kitchen to be enjoyed by restaurant goers as if watching a perfectly executed dance.
Let’s talk drinks – Mojitos, Mezscladinha and a very nice Brazilian Chardonnay.
Our meal started with cocktails – a Bossa Mojito (because you can always tell the skill of a mixologist via their Mojito) and a Mezscladinha, a smokey, more grown up version of the Brazilian classic that had left me recovering on those aforementioned beaches many moons ago – the bar (no pun intended) was high, if the kitchen was doing things as spectacularly as the bar, we were in for a treat. Delivered with a flourish from the mixologist himself, an explanation of the flavour profiles within the drinks and a brief chat on his favourite tipple. Personal touches like this removed any potential stuffiness and formality that can so often be found in restaurants of this area.
In a seamless handover, the mixologist paved the way for our maitre’d. As informative as she is warm, her passion and enthusiasm for the Brazilian wines on offer was palpable. Seeing that both my dining partner and I were fond of a grape juice or two and especially keen on varieties we hadn’t tried before, a trio of bottles were placed on the table to sample including a Brazilian Chardonnay – you heard. Apprehensive at first, I have had far too many buttery, oaky Chard’s thrust upon me in my time. However, this iteration was crisp and full of zest – I assume skipping it’s second fermentation or keeping it to the absolute minimum to ensure low levels of lactic acid and in turn keeping things light as opposed to the thicker Californian chardonnay’s we know and apparently for some, love.
Starting strong – Brazilian inspired starters to set the pace of the meal.
On to the food portion of the piece. We began with a starter of a tapioca, raw cashew nut cream and wild mushrooms. Having seen it described this way on the menu, I was expecting the tapioca served in ‘grain’ format, most likely with the mushrooms running through and a drizzle of the aforementioned cream. However, I was presented with a savoury ‘pancake’ made from the tapioca pearls, swiped with lashings of the cashew nut cream and showered with sauteed wild mushrooms. I am still unsure if you are meant to pick it up like a taco or use the elegant cutlery placed next to you (probably the latter) but taco method I went for and it was sensational. The pancake giving the perfect texture and bite to the topping. This is how to cater for your vegan diners in exciting and innovative ways – anyone who reads my work regularly knows I’m a meat protein led kind of girl but this dish left me perfectly satisfied and allowed my inner carnivore to remain dormant. We also shared sweet potatoes, Coppa, Brazil nut cream, turnip greens – a dish that doesn’t hide behind ‘cheffy’ techniques but rather showcases good ingredients and proven flavour combinations. There is something bold about a chef that chooses to do this, when the plate landed on the table it looked simple, perhaps too simple but on eating, it quickly became apparent that Chef Nilson Chaves knows exactly what he is doing and his confidence exudes on the plate.
The main event – sensational seabass and a steak I can’t stop thinking about.
For mains – Sea Bass, Delica Pumpkin cream, Okra Vinaigrette and finally allowing that carnivore to come out to play, Grilled Bavette, Beans, Fried Rice, dry banana farofa. As soon as my eyes landed on farofa I was happy.
The sea bass was excellent – the flesh delicately flaking with each touch, the skin crispy and burnished as it should be. The okra prepped to perfection – not a slimy globule in sight – come on, we’re all terrified of it – but instead, holding a firm bite to contrast to the soft flesh of the fish. Both adorning the most heavenly pumpkin cream, thick, unctuous, warming – a marriage of Brazilian flavour with a much-needed dose of autumnal comfort – a very clever dish.
And on to the steak – I can wax lyrical about tapioca and pumpkins but we all know the real reason I’m here. Pink bavette sliced thin, doused with a heady, punchy chimichurri (accompanied by an Opinel steak knife – lovely touch), served with three side dishes of fried rice, beans and and THAT farofa. I was instantly transported back to those restaurants in Brazil where I would take my plate of beans and shovel the dried farofa on top of them, albeit this was a much classier affair. I am yet to try and recreate the banana farofa at home but it is on the list – the sweetness of the fruit sitting along side the salty, toasted cassava flour, hits of chilli popping with every bite. Sprinkling it on the soft red meat like you would a pangrattato on soft pasta – it is sheer heaven and I could have eaten it by the bucket.
For dessert, egg and coconut custard. For me, there wasn’t enough coconut flavour in this dish – I wanted to be slapped around the face with it, feel like I was drowning in a Pina Colada vibe to end my tropical luncheon, however, the flavours were subtle and the texture interesting. We also sampled a Cupuacu cheesecake – a lovely opportunity to try a native ingredient to Brazil (the national fruit of Brazil if we are getting into it) and a fruit I saw so often when I was there but never really learnt much about it. It’s a chocolatey fruit if you were wondering, that can be made into butter or powder similar to its cacao relative but minus the alkaloids. Both dishes offered a light finish to the meal and I loved that they both championed the produce of Brazil in spades.
As the towel (napkin) was thrown in and we began to brace ourselves for the stark reality of the outside world and leave this heavenly, calm, serene oasis, a shot of house made jalapeno infused tequila was placed in front of us to warm us on our way out. Now I have dabbled in the dark arts of chill infused tequila, but this was something else. A sippable tipple, that builds heat as it trickles down your throat until you get to the point of ‘no way, I absolutely cannot drink that’ but then in a mere moment, you are reaching for more. It is that delicious. We were told the secret is in vacuum packing and fermenting – I would give it a go, but I love my liver too much. And so, 45ml later, I was back where it all began – tipsy, a fire in my throat, sated from fantastic food and in love with the produce of Brazil. Now I just need to find a beach to recover on.
Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies went to Burger & Lobster, a must-visit in every Londoner’s foodie hit-list to try its new burger collab with doughnut specialists Crosstown.
Every Londoner will have countless memories at Burger & Lobster (obviously one of the best restaurants in London) which we think has very much earned its reputation as the most beloved burger (and lobster) joint in town. This holiday season though, Burger & Lobster is taking it up a notch by reimagining its beloved burger with Crosstown doughnut buns? Scandalous? Sinful? Why yes indeed.
Move over chicken and waffles, because this is Team Coco’s newest favourite sweet and savoury combo. The burger combines three succulent beef patties, cripy smoked bacon, tangy blue cheese sauce, sitting in between two delectable Tongan Vanilla Bean Glaze dougnuts from crosstown.
The most scandalous burger in town? We think so
Served with Burger & Lobster’s signature crispy fries and ranch dressing and is available at a very reasonable £20. It launched across all nien Burger & Lobster locations on 25 Octobr and has been changing lives since.
Elsewhere in the menu, we of course sampled all the other Burger & Lobster classics such as the Steamed Lobster, Tabbouleh Salad, Tempura Black Tiger Prawns and the always delicious Chunky Truffle Chips. All regular menu items were unsurprisingly delicious, which just shows why Burger & Lobster has maintained its reputation as one of the most well-loved restaurant chains in town throughout the years. We shall surely be back, many many more times, in the years to come.
While ChinoLatino has been open for a decade, which seems like an eternity in restaurant years, especially in London, we’re happy to report that the quality, food and service have been wonderfully maintained.
In terms of best London restaurants, the multi-awarded ChinoLatino proves that Pan-Asian (when done well) has plenty of longevity in the city’s ever-evolving foodie scene. The secret sauce? A wonderful menu of carefully curated Asian dishes combined with a Latin-inspired cocktail bar.
The blend of Peruvian influences with Japanese and Chinese dishes is wonderfully executed. To kick things off, we tried the fab pandan cocktail which is unlike any other cocktail we have tried in the city. Made with an irresistible blend of Roku Gin, Pandan Syrup and Lychee juice the cocktail offered up some true Southeast Asian flavours and we’re certainly here for it.
We sampled the Omakase menu which starts with some fresh sushi, a selection of dim sum and then a duck salad, calamari and double piece de resistance of seared tenderloin and Miso Black cod.
The sushi, as you’d expect from a place like ChinoLatino, was fresh and excellent. The dim sum, which of course came in bamboo steam baskets comprised gyozas and a har gaw (shrimp dumplings wrapped in rice) and so won points for authenticity. The crispy duck salad, which had a lime mustard dressing, had some Thai inspirations and was simply divine.
The duo main course of Miso Black Cod and seared tenderloin certainly impressed too. While Nobu may be the first restaurant that comes to mind when you think of Miso Black Cod, Chinolatino’s version certainly scores high marks too. The tenderloin though, which was served on a bed of hot rocks, was the real star of the show.
While the interiors do feel like they need a bit of an update, ChinoLatino proves that its decade tenure as one of the best Pan-Asian restaurants in the city – is certainly well deserved.
If sniffing out new hotels up and down the country was an Olympic sport, we’d be taking home the gold.
Page8 is one of London’s newest and best additions and one of our favourites so far. We love learning about new brands, how they came about and what they’re striving for. The Page brand is all about bringing urban explorers to travel and bringing people together. Which we literally could not be any more all over.
Let’s talk location. If you were to measure, with all the power of science and geography, you’d probably place the official centre of London less than 100m away from the hotel’s front door. It’s just next door to the St Martin in the Fields church (which we ashamedly had to look up the name of – having only ever passed through en route to Heaven on a Saturday night) on Trafalgar Square. If ever there were a place designed to bring people together, it’s here.
With 138 rooms, it’s on the bigger side of boutique, but has one of the most personal touches we’ve ever experienced.
As a modern brand, the design and finishing touches are flawlessly thought through, and it gives the feel of an expensive members club but without the fuss (and the fee). In the rooms, expect a lot of hard dark blue leather and bronze accents – with crisp white sheets and the kind of Scandi scatter cushions and indie coffee table books you always thought you’d like for your own house but can only ever find in cool hotels.
We’re always a bit wary of using the word “cool” because it’s, with all intents and purpose, a subjective term. Well, it was anyway, because there’s no denying that Page8 isn’t cool. Marshall speakers pump out the sounds of sick indie bands that will never be mainstream, and even the air is cool, thanks to each room’s own personal Blueair air purifier. Even the bathrooms are cool, and with Co Bigelow products – this is the kind of stuff Kate Moss and Tom Hardy probably wash their hands with.
The brand opened their first venture in Hong Kong about a year ago, and the London version is a very welcome contender in a city so dependent on casual co-working office spaces and new generation food halls.
The hotel lobby isn’t a place where you wait for a rude receptionist to tap endless numbers on the world’s most robust booking system (you know who you are) – it’s an open space designed to welcome guests in. Their coffeeshop concept, Page Common, shares a space, and is the home of not-so-pretentious artisanal coffees. Hints at travel in the form of chunky books and educated baristas encourage conversations between people, and as travel focussed nomad workers ourselves, it’s a pretty special place to be.
Page8 (www.pagehotels.com / 0203 879 9400) offers a starting nightly rate of £220 for a double room on a room only basis.
Last week, Team Coco babe Hannah Tan-Gillies headed down to buzzing Shoreditch for a genius cocktail evening of epic proportions at TT Liquor’s Cellar Bar.
TT Liquor’s Cellar Bar – A Cocktail Wonderland
Now there’s no better way to get over the winter blues than by indulging in a few cocktails (or five), and we’ve just discovered the best place to explore some genius new cocktail combinations.
Located on Kingsland Road, TT Liquor may look like a specialist liquor store on the outside but offers plenty of surprises. Once inside, you are immediately greeted by floor-to-ceiling shelves of spirits and curiosities. Beyond that, you are led to another sitting room where you can catch a glimpse of the private cinema, and eventually down the subterranean labyrinth of TT Liquor’s atmospheric Cellar Bar.
TT Liquor’s Cellar Bar – Where History Meets Mixology Brilliance
Back in the Victorian era, TT Liquor used to be an old police station; and you can definitely feel the history of the building when cosily tucked into the dimly lit alcoves of the cellar bar. These alcoves used to be the holding cells for prisoners, but now feature handsome leather banquette seats and plenty of charm.
Here, we experienced TT Liquor’s new genius-themed cocktail menu. The entire menu is an homage to some of the greatest inventors of our time from Marvin Gaye to Madame Cliquot.
Elevate Your Cocktail Experience
The genius menu has been hailed as the Cellar Bar’s most ambitious one to date, with each cocktail individually crafted by a member of TT Liquor’s team. Some highlights include a Liberace-inspired concoction that offers a refreshing twist to a traditional whiskey sour. It is made with Bling, Balvenie 12, Montenegro, Disaronno, Cranberry, and Citrus.
The ‘Death Ray’ — which was inspired by Serbian American inventor Nikola Tesla — is another instant favourite and is TT Liquor’s version of a hot buttered rum. It is made with a special mix of Rebel Hell Rye and hot spiced butter & brown sugar.
Unforgettable Evenings at TT Liquor’s Cellar Bar
During our visit, we were also treated to one of TT Liquor’s ‘Thirsty Thursdays’ tasting sessions, which brings together groups of people looking to learn more about a specific spirit. That Thursday, we learned all about the history and different kinds of rum. We were also treated to a few funny stories from our friendly bartender Sacha and even had a few sips of ‘Diplomatico’ as well. Diplomatico is a Venezuelan dark rum that will surely leave a lasting taste sensation for rum lovers and rum novices alike.
But no matter what your poison may be, one thing was clear. The Cellar Bar at TT Liquor is the best place to enjoy an evening of fantastic cocktails with equally fantastic company.
London boasts a plethora of dynamic rooftop restaurants in the city centre. One that has stood the test of time is Galvin at Windows. Being situated on the 28th floor of the historic London Hilton on Park Lane, you won’t be surprised to find unimpeded views of London’s fascinating skyline.
A Culinary Powerhouse Overlooking London’s Skyline
Chef Patron is Chris Galvin. Along with his brother Jeff, they’ve dominated the London restaurant scene for years with their Michelin-starred cooking skills at restaurants like Galvin La Chapelle. They famously opened the Wolseley restaurant in 2003 and Chris had already earned his first Michelin star at the Orrery back in the year 2000.
At Galvin at Windows, he has appointed talented Marc Hardiman as head chef. Marc had perfected his skills at the Ritz as Senior Sous Chef. Interestingly, Chris had worked as a commis chef at the Ritz back in the day.
With such power-packed CVs, you wouldn’t be surprised to find the food at Galvin at Windows is remarkably polished. Service is attentive yet discreet from the moment you step into the restaurant.
Indulge in a Luxurious Sunday Lunch Experience at Galvin at Windows
A great way to experience their menu is to try their Sunday lunch menu. For the quality of food and service and the views on offer, it is very reasonably priced at £59 per person for 3 courses. It is available from 12 pm to 3 pm every Sunday lunch.
Furthermore, they are dishes you readily pay a premium for, as the ingenious combination of ingredients is unlikely to be recreated at home. Think locally sourced Halibut paired with St Austell Museels, yuzu kosho, nori, Champagne and rose. It is rightfully decadent as you would expect dining at a rooftop restaurant in the heart of Park Lane.
Savor Exquisite Flavors: Must-Try Dishes at Galvin at Windows
Dishes I would recommend trying include a beautifully sweet heritage tomato salad. It has a beautiful zestiness due to the addition of ponzu dressing and has some weighty substance with the presence of moreish goats curd.
Their beef carpaccio was a delightful surprise. It had a real depth of flavour due to the fact it has been dry aged and they used the finest quality black Angus. It was very cleverly paired with artichokes, mustard seeds and a smoked egg yolk for added complexity.
Enhanced flavours were also the order of the day with the main courses. Cornish Brill had an extra umami kick with the inclusion of Porthilly oysters and coastal herbs. The extra ingredients are always given careful consideration on how they can enhance and support the main act.
Innovative Creations and Spectacular Views at Galvin at Windows
They had a very healthy take on the classic lasagne. The ‘lasagne’ sheets were made with celeriac whilst the filling was stuffed with meaty confit king oyster mushrooms. There was a hint of truffle used, but it was never overpowering. This is very much unlike less celebrated restaurants, which often use truffles to compensate for a lack of flavour in their dishes.
The highlight of their not-to-be-missed dessert section is the blackcurrant soufflé. Blackcurrants are incredibly underrepresented in fine dining menus. They have high levels of Vitamin C and antioxidants. The soufflé rose to just the right height and it had the perfect smooth consistency inside. It was paired with a delectable cheesecake ice cream and topped with crème de cassis to add to the blackcurrant notes.
Pairing the right ingredients to enhance the flavours is also evident in most of the other desserts on the menu. Case in point is the exquisitely executed white chocolate and blackberry crème brûlée. They’ve included a blackberry sorbet, so the tart and sweet notes come through even stronger. The texture was silky smooth along with the requisite crunchy topping. The dessert was finished off with a muscovado sugar shortbread.
When booking your table, check which side of the restaurant you might be sitting on. For example, when we visited for Sunday lunch recently, it was particularly glaring on the Hyde Park side. I would recommend booking for the Oxford Street side of the restaurant for Sunday lunch. You will still enjoy spectacular views of the London topography.
If you want a great recommendation for an apéritif or digestif, do check out their neighbouring bar, 10 Degrees Sky Bar. They offer some highly innovative cocktails and you can still admire the stunning views from the 28th floor.
For more information on the restaurant, please visit –
Side Hustle’s newly launched brunch menu is what we were here to sample / devour. Having had a quick peruse of the menu ahead of visiting, my mouth was already watering at the thought of Mexo Benedict- the Side Hustle version served with lashings of siracha spiked hollandaise and guac, not to mention anywhere that serves tacos for brunch gets my vote.
The day I chose to eat at Side Hustle was one of those days in London that starts off blue and then from nowhere turns black. Big, fat, heavy rain drops fall from the sky with such force you wonder if you will end up with bruises. The most well-seasoned Londoner’s become drowned rats, hair sticking to cheeks, anything and everything being used as make shift umbrellas – newspapers, handbags, small children. Puddles the size of lakes appear out of nowhere, drivers appear to adopt a private joke style game of seeing how many people they can drench. Tubes over crowd, buses stop working, basically it’s the apocalypse and every man for themselves.
Falling into Side Hustle, heaving open the heavy wooden door and hearing the screams of the drenched ebb away as it slowly closed behind me, I felt as if I had entered another world. Calm, serene, heavy with the scent of opulence, the host team perfectly coiffed and manicured, ready to welcome you into the dark panelled room complete with countertop seating and booths plus the option for diners to snack at the incredibly atmospheric bar littered with potions and blends destined for the signature cocktails on offer and curated with such flair that it has earned the bar a spot on the 50 Best list. The vibe was luxe, as a NoMad off shoot should be. Dark wood panelling, earthy deep greens and brass accents cutting through the moody aesthetic are balanced by warm lighting with subtle nods of Latin America bleeding into the décor – a whole shelf of curated tequilas, large skulls reminiscent of those synonymous with Day of the Dead that act as vessels for the house tequila laced Pina Coladas sit amongst huge vase style urns used to house the self titled ‘cocktail explosions’ that feed 6 and come with a warning.
It is one of those spaces that on entering you feel safe and at ease, content in the knowledge you will be taken care of, the booth seats are ready and waiting to receive you and the blinds offer the perfect balance of privacy from the outside world but just the right amount of give to people watch… or watch people drown, depending on the weather.
And so, settled and safe from the biblical monsoon outside we began our meal.
Drinks first and on a mission to remind myself it was actually July despite the madness taking place outside, I ordered the aforementioned Pina Colada. At this stage in the game I was unaware it came in a skull larger than mine, crowned with wedges of the golden fruit and her green stalk. She was giving Carmen Miranda albeit, a little darker. The drink itself was delicious, a Pina Colada stan, I was nervous for a tequila based rendition(that and it has been known that tequila can make me a little lary but in the name of good journalism I took the risk), this was the perfect balance of coconut and pineapple, not too rich nor too sweet.
Side Hustle offers both small and large plates that can be taken as starters and mains of ordered on mass to share amongst the table. First to arrive was the Mexican staple of some form of chip and dip (although in Mexico they are usually on the house). With three salsas on offer, we settled on the Pipian, a blend of pipitas, red pepper and chili arbol – an expertly seasoned offering balancing chilli heat and earthy seeds. It was one of those dishes where you felt the nutrition of the salsa outweighed the fried tostadas provided to scoop with.
We also shared Croquetas de Esquites and yellowfin tuna tostadas served with Aguachile. It never ceases to amaze me to see the different way corn is played with in Mexican kitchens and so I was excited to see the Side Hustle rendition – sweet kernels, running through crème fraiche, spiked with epazote, rolled and deep fried.
The tuna was fresh and light, a wonderful opener to the mains heading our way.
In preparation of the tacos and burrito, an apothecary style bottle of homemade hot sauce was delivered to the table – a nice touch and a welcome edition to our main plates. It was well made, you can taste the ingredients and feel the heat start to build rather than the instant fire that many hot sauces tend to deliver. Onto the main event – a plate of lamb birria tacos complete with tomato and radish salad and a breakfast burrito for my dining partner, served with a well made mole for max dunking.
The tacos were good, and yes I know I said my mouth was watering at Eggs Benny but what can I say, tacos are my love language and who am I to stand in the way of love.The lamb was melt in the mouth, falling apart and topped with wafer thin, perfectly pickled discs of radish, a welcome hit of acid to cut through the fat. The obligatory consommé served on the side, rich and fatty and delivered the perfect drip on every bite of the taco. The tortillas were perfectly cooked, pliable and full of flavour and when loaded with the rich lamb, the coriander heavy tomato salad and a few drips of hot sauce made for a winning combination.
The burrito was heavy and substantial – thank goodness, there is nothing sadder than an underfilled burrito. The mole complex and full of layers of flavour.
We completed our meal with another round of cocktails, this time I went for the ‘Pardon Plea’, a blend of rum, tequila, green apple, coconut and palo santo – which was eye wateringly punchy which in turn made it incredibly refreshing. My partner who doesn’t drink was equally well looked after as the bar has a fantastic mocktail menu that you can tell are as expertly thought out as the alcoholic menu. His first El Diablito, alight and refreshing blend of ginger, hibiscus and lime. His second incredibly unusual pandan situation which you could have easily mistaken for a sour – truly exceptional drinks.
And so, as much as we wanted to squeeze in a desert of Mango Prepardo or an ice cream sandwich, we were just too stuffed and with that we braced ourself for the carnage of the outside world, lucky for us, our Mexican morning had trickled out of the restaurant and into the streets of London and we were back to blue skies.
