Like the very wise proverbial saying goes: when life gives you lemons, make lemonade! Except for, in this case, it’s cocktails. While we spend the coming days under lockdown – with no end date in sight – we asked a few of London’s best bars to share some of their favourite cocktail recipes to recreate at home and help make the most of our evenings at home. Better yet, invite friends and relatives and savor over a live Zoom session or FaceTime.
Scarfes Bar, Rosewood London
An oldie but a goodie, Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London shares their classic Dry Martini recipe.
Ingredients:
60ml Gin or Vodka
15ml Dry Vermouth
2 dashes Orange Bitters
Method:
Stir all ingredients together
Pour into coupette glass (or next best thing in your house)
Garnish with an olive, twist of lemon or a small pickled onion
Show it off and tag @Scarfesbar #ScarfesBar
St James Bar at Sofitel London
When-not-in-Rome, the 5 to 7 celebrates the sacred Italian concept of Aperitivo. With Campari-infused coffee, Amaro Montenegro and pink grapefruit soda, this cocktail will give you a delicious taste of La Dolce Vita from your kitchen.
Ingredients:
10ml Amaro Montenegro
20ml Campari infused with coffee
45ml Antica Formula
Top up with pink grapefruit soda and add twist lemon and twist orange as garnish
Method:
Stir all ingredients and strain them into a chilled glass
For the Campari coffee, infuse 1 campari bottle with 20 coffee beans for 24 hours and strain it
Coupette
London bar Coupette has teamed up with Whiskey Exchange to create a bespoke cocktail bundle so Londoners can enjoy making a world clas cocktail at home. Designed by head bartender Andrei Marcu, the cocktail entitled Harvard Drop Out can be created at home and will tantalise taste buds with three simple ingredients. The bundle includes a bottle of Courvoisier VS Cognac, Croft Triple Crown Port and Tio Pepe Palomino Fino sherry.
Ingredients:
30ml of Courvoisier VS Cognac
50ml of Croft Triple Crown Port
10ml of Tio Pepe Palomino Fino sherry
Method:
Pour into mixing glass, add ice and stir
Strain into a small coupette and garnish with orange peel to serve
The Basil Smash by Amplify
The Basil Smash, by non-alcoholic spirit brand Amplify, combines sweet and savoury for a quenching and simple drink, ideal for this spring-time sunshine.
Ingredients:
50ml Amplify
50ml Lemongrass Syrup
10ml Lemon Juice
Soda Water
Handful of basil leaves to garnish
Method:
Shake the Amplify, lemongrass syrup and lemon juice together and strain into a highball glass
Top up with soda and garnish with fresh basil leaves
Thanks to this lockdown, every night is Friday night and every day is the new Friday. One problem? It’s a little trickier to make our way to our favourite bars when they’re closed. But no fear. We live in the 21st century and what better way to make use of our innovative ways than to arrange for home delivery of our favourite tipples – to see us through this quarantine? From wine at our favourite restaurants to our local watering hole’s creative cocktails, London bartenders and sommeliers aren’t about to let you go thirsty during this pandemic and we felt it only fair to share. For those who live outside London, don’t worry, you won’t miss out on Denver liquor delivery offering a wide selection of beverages for both pickup and delivery to your door.
Hedonism Wines
Not ready to give up a life of luxury in lockdown? Hedonism Wines is continuing as normal with their wine deliveries – across London and nationwide so it’s never been easier to bring the bar home. They also ship internationally, I’m just saying, depends on how much of a wine fiend you are. The fine wine and spirits boutique in Mayfair supplies to the sommeliers of HIDE Mayfair so if you’re familiar with the Michelin-starred restaurant, you have an idea of the vast wine selection upon which you’re about to feast your eyes. A self-isolation perk to this all-year-round delivery service: Hedonism is currently offering free delivery on orders of over six bottles in London and UK – who says a glass (or bottle) or wine can’t help you through hard times?
Bar Douro
Bar Douro just opened its second restaurant in Finsbury Avenue Square so it deserves any support that can be given. Choose from a quality selection of Portuguese wines and get them delivered to your door across most of the UK. True, they’re best enjoyed alongside the restaurant’s delicious small plate (if you know me, you’ve heard about that suckling pig sandwich) but take what you can get during this lockdown – it might just save you in this self-isolation situation we’ve got going on here. Bring the bar home with your favourite wines – but don’t do what I did and find yourself with corked wines when you have no corkscrew. Need another reason to support these guys? £1 from every bottle (not order) will be donated to Hospitality Action which has been set up to help vulnerable hospitality workers.
Bring Your Bar Home Cocktail Delivery
Ever miss the idea of the humble bar hop? Born out of a love for both good cocktails and the hospitality industry, Bring Your Bar Home offers users a full guide to bars and restaurants offering cocktail delivery and takeaway. Not just for those London-based, the knowledge and important information stretches across the UK too, meaning if you’re a fan of Santo Remedio’s margaritas, you don’t have to make the trek to London to get your fix. A great way to support the struggling hospitality industry and avoid the cold weather, while enjoying your favourite tipple as a treat. Some bars, including Mac & Wild and Lollipop, offer beautifully bottled cocktails, meaning they can last you until the weekend, while bars such as Nine Lives are distributing cocktail kits, with snacks including popcorn. What’s not to love?
Novikov Cocktail Classes
No deliveries from Mayfair restaurant Novikov but the Lounge Bar is running its own cocktail classes for 11 weeks on the restaurant’s Instagram TV channel. Anyone missing their Friday night drinks (any day of the week, to be honest) can head to Novikov’s Instagram and watch bartender Gianfranco Lozzi teach us all a think or two about making our favourite tipples. Bring the bar home and have some cocktails in quarantine. Put some music on, get out of your sweatpants and it will feel like a night out before you know it. Next one is this Friday – see you there?
Funkin House Party
Why not bring the bar home with everyone’s favourite on-the-go drinks – a good old “tinny”. Funkin has launched the Funkin House Party which includes two of each of their cocktails in a tin: Passionfruit Martini, Espresso Martini and Piña Colada. There’s six Nitro cans in a pack and it costs only £12. This one is definitely for those of you who are doubting your cocktail creativity skills – and for those who would rather pop open a can in three seconds, rather than put your bartender skills to work.
Hacha
East Londoners might be familiar with this agaveria bar in Dalston – perfect for getting your agave fix. With an impressive list of 25 different tequilas and mezcals (always baffling me), the bar even offers lesser-known agave spirits (further baffling me). Haha had huge success with their signature drink; the Mirror Margarita (made with Don Julio tequila) and have now made this cocktail available for delivery during this lockdown period. Sipping on the Cocktail of the Year (CLASS bar awards) seems the only appropriate way to bring the bar home and you can enjoy this 50cl bottle for just £35.
Mr Lyan
We’re all fans of Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr Lyan, the award-winning bartender. Known for his innovative drinks skills and forward-thinking sustainable cocktail creations, don’t fret that you can no longer get your sustainable serves – he’s only gone and launched a bottled selection of his most popular cocktails. Shop from Master of Malt and treat yourself to a Bonfire Old Fashioned; made with Mr Lyan whisky, lapsang souchong and Mr Lyan cola bitters. Bring the bar home and knock back a Spotless Martini – which contains Mr Lyan’s gin, vermouths, distilled olive and distilled lemon.
Lockdown Liquor
Sorry to sound as though I’m encouraging you to be an alcoholic; I’m simply trying to help out those of you who are missing the watering hole. Here’s a list of branded bottles you can get your hands on easily while continuing to social-distance and self-isolate. All available via contact-free delivery so now is the time to stock up.
El Rayo tequila is a London-based brand that is encouraging the nation to indulge in a “T&T” (tequila and tonic). Well, why not? Now is the time to try new things and I think that sentiment should be extended to alcohol.
Carounn Gin has launched the ‘Sofa Spritz’; a cocktail you can easily create at home with apple juice, soda water and white wine. All of which are current staples in my kitchen right now (eggs and pasta have been stockpiled so these were all that were left). Who needs a bartender?
Magic Mixers
Try experimenting with your mixer too; Two Keys is an interesting and tasty alternative to your regular tonic or soda. Sold on Amazon, the flavours include green tea, black tea, grapefruit and lemon.
Pedrino Spritz
Pedrino Spritz takes the alternatives to a Gin and Tonic to a whole new level with its offerings of a Vermouth and Tonic; Sherry and Tonic and Ruby and Tonic Spritzes. Using natural and authentic ingredients, these spritzes will perfect your Aperitivo Hour (for one, obviously) or help you add a little spritz to the cocktails you’re currently creating (I hope you are inspired by this article, after all). It’s also nice to support the smaller businesses during this difficult time.
Milroy’s
For those of you who are whisky-inclined, London’s Original Whisky Specialist Milroy’s has launched a ‘Drams-to-your-Door’ delivery service where they bring the best whiskies from their bars to your home. They are also doing a ‘Tastings at Home’ scenario where you can enjoy a live virtual tasting from one of Milroy’s whisky experts – complete with whisky flight and consultation. You know, if you get tired of the wine and cocktail offerings going on. One thing is for sure: Londoners won’t be getting thirsty during this lockdown.
World of Zing
Who needs a bar when in a world of bottled cocktails? The award-winning World of Zing has a selection of crafted cocktail creations that are usually found in some of the UK’s most popular venues – ranging from The Langham Hotel to Byron Burger and Curzon Cinemas. They’ve designed a range to be enjoyed at home which couldn’t be better news now we are in lockdown so sit back on your sofa and enjoy the likes of Cherry Blossom Negronis or Persian Lime and Nori Margaritas. I love the interesting flavours – a zesty (or zingy) take on the classic cocktails; there’s also Elderflower and Earl Grey Gin Collins and Raspberry and Basil Mojitos to choose from and I haven’t even listed the full range. Can you tell I’m a fan?
The Duppy Share
A UK favourite when it comes to dark rum, The Duppy Share has also just launched an even spicier version. To help combat any lockdown blues, the brand has launched a ‘Home Rum’ isolation kit to help any rum lover get by. The kit includes The Duppy Share Aged (20cl), two bottles of Fever Tree ginger beer and two The Duppy Share gold cups. What’s more is that the rum brand plans to donate all profits from sales of this kit to Hospitality Action; a charity organisation dedicated to helping those struggling in the hospitality industry. Drink and it’s a good deed.
Everleaf
Not one to leave those who don’t drink out of Thirsty Thursdays (or thirsty any day, to be honest with you), I’ve also got a non-alcoholic option for you. Everleaf is made from sustainably sourced botanicals, allowing you to create the perfect spritz. Guilt-free, too. Chamomile is even used in the aperitif to enhance the fragrant aroma of the drink – you’re not supposed to but I’d add this to my spirit to get some more goodness in my drink.
Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company
Not a wine, spirit or cocktail in the slightest but I do feel as though I need to give you a snack for all this alcohol I am advising you to purchase and consume. What better snack, as well, than some good old cheese? Really I’m just trying to maintain the aesthetic of a bar – and I cannot recommend a glass of wine and nibbling on some cheese every evening to get us through this lockdown. From experience, I admit. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is an independent supplier selling traditional cheddar cheese and cheese straws (Oh lord). The brand has just introduced ‘Isolation Bundles’ for customers who crave the cheese but can no longer get to the shop. Prices are reduced and do we need more reasons to buy cheese? Again, supporting small businesses is good, people.
COVID-19 has cast a shadow over London and as the restaurant scene is an industry that makes up so much of the city’s vibrance, it is no surprise that its struggle is what makes London’s ghost-town appearance even more so. Many are staying as positive as they can, remaining as troopers and keeping themselves afloat through delivery service. Sadly many have had to close their doors temporarily but here is how you can support your favourite restaurants that remain open – all from the safety of your own home.
Delivery
Takeaway meals are the primary way many restaurants are surviving the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your support means more than ever and, if you can afford to, it’s such a small and easy way to help them out. I mean you’d be helping a restaurant out so much by eating their delicious food in the comfort of your own home without barely having to move a muscle (contact-free delivery). Could helping someone out get any easier?
Burger & Beyond has their to-die-for (I’m salivating as I type) burgers and Dirty Tots available for delivery; you can even sink your teeth into Absurd Bird’s famous Mac ‘n’ Cheese; Spice Box is making sure Walthamstow residents can still get their fix of plant-powered curries and HIDE is even delivering their fine dining food, meaning you can have a Michelin-starred meal on your sofa. Do it just for the experience, I mean come onnnn. Coal Rooms in Peckham is actually delivering takeaway Sunday Roasts – lockdown life just got a whole lot tastier, in my opinion…
Local Small Businesses
You might be more familiar with Crudo Cevicheria but the eatery has temporarily taken on a new concept in light of COVID-19. How can you support them? It’s all about having faith in the hospitality industry and pledging your loyalty to your favourite restaurant, bar or café. It works by customers buying menu items for friends and colleagues to use later down the line. It’s a small step but given the sudden drop in business, the idea is to create cash flow for small businesses to cover their fixed costs and keep as much going as possible until we’re out of the thick of this. Also, the chances of you heading back to your favourite coffee shop for that flat white or to devour your much-loved burger post-quarantine is quite strong so it’s hardly a mis-management of money. Crudo, Al Dente pasta, Acai Sisters and 40ft Brewery are all on the site and they’re continuing to recruit new independent businesses.
Shop For Your Supplies
Many restaurants sell their own ingredients and pantry goods – so if you’re having a panic about the panic-buyers stockpiling the rice, pasta and eggs, why not try your favourite restaurants or their suppliers? Eateries like Macellaio RC and Albion have pantry-style shops selling the ingredients they use in their food. Bodega Rita’s has launched “Rita’s 4 U” delivering household bits that might be missing from your cupboard. Normally it’s a novelty post-dining activity or for those who are actually culinary-inclined (alas, I’m not one of these people) but now it could be your source of said stockpiled items. Ordering from these shops might be a little pricier than the mainstream supermarkets but the profits go directly to an independent restaurant, rather than Sainsbury’s.
The Estate Dairy (traditionally a trader’s supplier) even offers next day delivery so you can say goodbye to worrying about fighting for that coveted time slot too. Places like HG Walter have you covered when it comes to all cuts of meat – they even have pre-marinated chicken if you’re not feeling like debuting your chef’s hat in full.
Buy gift vouchers
Similar to the idea behind Local Small Businesses but one that probably is being forgotten. Buy your friends, family and yourself a gift card to your favourite restaurant or bar – most don’t have an expiration date and these will help support the restaurant in their time of need and show them they will have guests on the other side of this all. You never know, your gift voucher could be paying for someone’s wages through COVID-19. The Harts Group (who own El Pastor, Barrafina and Quo Vadis), Kricket, Trullo and Four Legs are all offering gift vouchers for future visits. Patty & Bun is even throwing in their famous ‘black card’ with all voucher purchases – leaving you with a pretty sweet 10 per cent off for life.
Social Support
While sharing photos from previous visits to a restaurant won’t bring them immediate revenue, it will keep them at the forefront of your followers’ minds so when we do eventually come out on the other side, they know exactly what they’re craving and where to head to first. It’s a dark time for the industry and a positive review from any happy customer could be the ray of sunshine they need in this moment. You can also keep engaged with the content they’re posting online; liking, commenting and sharing posts will do more than you think. Take the photo above of Tandis (a Persian restaurant in North London); I’ve had countless comments and messages from friends and followers saying they want to go there; hopefully people order delivery or they’ll remember to visit post-lockdown.
Restaurants across London are rapidly adapting to the changing and unknown current situation. While some have unfortunately had to close their doors, many have also launched delivery and takeaway services to ensure Londoners can still experience quality food to their doors while unable to leave their homes.
Contactless and cashless payments have also been introduced as well as special reductions and gift cards. Many are also offering special discounts for the country’s hardworking and invaluable NHS staff.
Supporting London’s restaurants and independent businesses at this critical time is vital in building resilience for the city and its workers under these exceptional circumstances. Below is a round-up of the latest from central London restaurants and retailers. Please be aware that as we are being updated about the crisis on a daily basis, so too are the restaurants, cafes, and delis that are offering home delivery. These may change at any given notice, but currently offer the following:
Marylebone Village
www.marylebonevillage.com @ MaryleboneVillage #MaryleboneVillage OKA Restaurant, W1G 9TZ
Pan-Asian and sushi restaurant, OKA, continues to offer its fresh, seasonal, healthy dishes, made to order, by extending their delivery radius to cover the Marylebone Village area. Using the highest-quality ingredients by their experienced chefs, they serve a selection of homemade hosomaki, uramaki, nigiri, sashimi and tataki sushi, alongside an abundance of traditional mains cooked on their robata grill. Head to https://deliveryokaprimrosehill.com to order their authentic Asian food. The Good Life Eatery, W1U 2PH Stay healthy and happy with The Good Life Eatery’s delicious range of vegetarian and gluten-free food and drink, including their all-day breakfast bowls, hearty chilli bowls and cold-press juices. They continue to offer delivery via Deliveroo.
The Ginger Pig, W1U 4EW The renowned quality butchers continue to offer their exceptional range of high-quality, premium cuts of meat from British livestock, pre-cooked pies, as well as bakery products such as their cult sausage rolls, with their hardworking team ensuring their shop remains open. Aside from their standard nationwide delivery that they normally offer, they are prioritising the most vulnerable and elderly in the community, and ask that anyone with queries email online@thegingerpig.co.uk. They welcome those living inside the M25 to call them on 02038 697802 to arrange for a safe, no-contact delivery to their homes, to help those most in need at this time to cook fresh produce at home. La Fromagerie, W1U 4EW La Fromagerie, an award-winning shop showcasing farmhouse and artisanal cheeses, are ensuringthattheirshopsremainwell-stockedwithallyouressentials,includingb read,milk, eggs, flour, pasta, rice, fresh fruits & vegetables, cheese and wine, whilst taking hygiene practices seriously. They are continuing to offer a daily changing menu of seasonal produce on their takeaway menu, including sandwiches, tarts and soups, with their Marylebone store remaining open. They also offer delivery via UberEats and Deliveroo of some of their most popular produce, such as a wide-range of cheeses, biscuits, charcuterie, chocolate, wine and larder products, as well as hot meals and sandwiches, or UK-wide delivery on their online shop at https://www.lafromagerie.co.uk Paul Rothe & Son, W1U 2NN With nearly 120 years of serving tasty sandwiches and preserves, head to 35 Marylebone Lane for family-run deli Paul Rothe & Son, who continue to stay open to offer their produce for takeaway. From roast beef sandwiches and creamy brie rolls to their organic honey and jams, there is a varied range of produce on offer. Aubaine, W1U 4EP Contemporary French restaurant Aubaine continues to offer their all-day dining menu of hot and cold dishes, freshly baked pastries, and hot drinks, through Deliveroo. Aubaine continues to comply with the highest Health & Safety and hygiene standards to ensure the wellbeing of all customers. Rococo Chocolates, W1U 4EP With over thirty-five years of experience providing fine chocolates using high-quality ingredients and strong attention to detail, Rococo Chocolates are selling online with free UK delivery. They are also running 20% off until Sunday with the code SHOPNOW20.
La Brasseria, W1U 5HD Gift cards are available to purchase from £25 to £100 – the perfect gift for someone to look forward to.
Connaught Village
https://www.connaught-village.co.uk/ @ConanughtVillage #ConnaughtVillage Connaught Cellars, W2 2BS Mixing tradition with innovation, Connaught Cellars offers a unique range of carefully selected wines from France and Italy delivered to your doorstep with Deliveroo. Customers can pay online or via contactless. Their website offers a wide range of divine wines, from prestigious bottles to interesting regional grapes produced by acclaimed winemakers. Buchanans Cheesemonger, W2 2BS
Artisan cheesemonger based in Porchester Place, London, they source and expertly condition the finest cheese from the best producers in the UK and Europe. They remain open, and are offering 50% off all soft and blue cheese in their shop until further notice. Customers’ health and safety are at the forefront of their business. Saint Aymes, W2 2BB Beautiful and flowery cafe Saint Aymes delivers to your doorstep. Expect some great coffee, unicorn lattes, 23ct gold hot chocolate, enchanting cakes and of course, decadent chocolate.
Carnaby
carnaby.co.uk/ @CarnabyLondon #Carnaby Bread Ahead, W1F 9RR Bringing their signature sought-after breads, pastries and classic bakes to you, experts in British baking, Bread Ahead, will be live streaming baking tutorials on their Instagram, allowing baking-enthusiasts to master a new skill at home. Tune in on 24 March for a lesson on chocolate brownies, hot cross buns on 29 March, or order some sweet treats on Deliveroo. PITTABUN, W1F 7RF A modern twist on traditional Greek Street food, PITTABUN have perfected the well-loved pitta bread by using uniquely sourced raw ingredients. Order a delicious bun straight to your home on Deliveroo or Uber Eats.
Island Poké, W1B 5BQ Poké bowls are the ever-evolving modern take on the traditional Hawaiian dish of marinated raw fish served over rice with delicious toppings. With the aim to transport diners to an island state of mind with each and every bite of food, the Carnaby branch is providing takeaway orders and online delivery. Antidote, W1F 7RR While Antidote’s restaurant is temporarily closed, their fabulous wine shop remains open. The shop houses an impressive selection of around 300 natural, biodynamic and organic wines and is currently offering free delivery to central London residences. Pizza Pilgrims, W1B 5PW Pizza Pilgrims, masters of slow proved Neapolitan pizza, are currently offering 50% off pizza to NHS workers (pick up in-store) and have also launched Frying Pan Pizza Kits – a little slice of fun for your home. The kits have everything you need to make two margherita pizzas using only a frying pan and a grill. Bring the authentic taste of Italy to your kitchen in the easiest way ever. Patty&Bun, W1B 5QD The go-to spot for mouth-watering burgers, Patty&Bun is offering a lifetime of 10% off burgers with the purchase of £30 or £50 gift vouchers. The burger joint is open for takeaway and also delivering on Deliveroo. Dishoom, W1B 5QP Though the much-loved Indian restaurant has closed its branches, Dishoom-lovers can still get their Bombay comfort-food fix via their online click and collect or delivery services. TheGoodEgg,W1B5 PW With Tel Aviv inspired flavours taking you from breakfast through to dinner, favourites from The Good Egg such as their award-winning shakshuka, babka French toast, Sabich or salt beef reuben sandwich are available via delivery on Uber Eats.
Soho
thisissoho.co.uk @thisissoho #Soho Kricket, W1D 7HH Combining British seasonal ingredients with authentic Indian flavours and recipes, Kricket has created a loyalty voucher, whereby any purchase of a £250+ voucher will earn you an additional 20% on top – a goodwill gesture for helping to support the restaurant. For those looking for an Indian inspired feasting menu at home, Kricket is open to catering. The Duck & Rice, W1F 0QB Mixing classic British pub culture and Contonese cuisine, The Duck & Rice’s mouth-watering dishes are still available for order on Deliveroo.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught has often been quoted as one of the best restaurants in London. I approached my visit to this world-famous 2-Michelin starred restaurant thinking how many female Michelin-starred chefs do I know? Not a lot…. Hélène has been a flag-bearer for “women who have broken boundaries in their field” for several years; so much so Mattel used her as in inspiration for a chef Barbie doll in March 2018 and she was also the inspiration for the character of Colette in Pixar’s 2007 film Ratatouille.
However, in 2020, we should have moved beyond that point where we have to highlight someone’s sex when describing someone’s culinary aptitude. This is simply one of the most stupendous dining experiences you will ever come across. The restaurant was closed for 2 months and re-opened at the end of 2019 after an extensive refurbishment. Gone are the historic, dark oak-panelled walls; instead we have warm shades of soft pinks, tans and greens, and bespoke curved banquettes and chairs. You might think they’ve consulted a feng shui master with the lack of sharp edges and abundance of soft, rich colours. If you think you’ve been stimulated by the surroundings, you will be positively aroused by their carefully-curated menu. Choices in a tasting menu are almost unheard of in Michelin-starred restaurants, but here you can choose either 5 or 7 courses out of a lengthy list of options at £120 or £170 respectively. And they have a separate equally lengthy menu for vegetarians, which is also another unheard-of innovation for French gastronomy. We can dedicate pages singing the praises of each course, but here we aim to highlight some of the finest offerings. If you like rich, indulgent dishes, this is the perfect food paradise for you with dishes like Amur River “Kristal” caviar mixed in with oyster, sea urchin, and dashi. Foie gras is a dish for an acquired taste and is often thought to be too slithery in texture. Here, it is counter-balanced by the crunchiness of koji rice and the sweetness and acidity of the accompanying apple and pear flavours help to cut through the richness of the dish.
The provenance of the ingredients is key to the success of the restaurant. For example, with the lobster dish, you not only know it is from Cornwall but from the fishing boats for Phil Treblicock, who is one of the most respected supporters of the Cornish fishing industry. The kitchen team just adds a few key ingredients to lift the flavours of the lobster with the addition of Tandoori spices, carrot, citrus, and coriander; but they never over-complicate a dish.
One of the top vegetarian dishes, my vegetarian guest could not stop raving about was their version of an onion consommé which had an unrivalled sweetness and no doubt a large part of the success was due to their use of Cévennes onions, which are some of the sweetest you will find anywhere in the world. And they only used a small amount of black truffle for the dish; you will often find over-truffling an issue in less skillful restaurants. Meat-lovers are also well-catered for here with the supreme A5 Wagyu beef from Gunma prefecture in Japan. Yes, there is a considerable supplement on this dish, but if you want to experience buttery, melt-in-your-mouth beef of the highest order; this would be a very reasonable investment. Finally, make sure you save plenty of space in your dessert stomach as their signature Baba is easily the best rum baba you will ever taste. You are offered a choice of Armagnac Darroze from 1995 and 2000 to 2005; I opted for the former which gave the dessert a more toasted flavour. The Darroze family in France has been trading and producing vintage Bas-Armagnacs for decades and the quality genuinely shines through in this dessert.
Apart from the high-quality, inventive food, it is also worth mentioning the wine-pairing options. They have some of the finest in the world with a collection of over 3000 bins for a total of more than 20,000 bottles. They use plenty of small wine producers and we particularly enjoyed a very sippable Eric Rodez Rose from Ambonnay, Champagne, France. https://www.the-connaught.co.uk/restaurants-bars/helene-darroze-at-the-connaught/
When you think of Japanese cuisine, you might be thinking of raw fish. When you think of Indian cuisine, you might be thinking tandoori. What about Australian cuisine then? The answer is probably all of the above. With Australia’s post-war multicultural immigration policy, the diverse communities in the country have created a brilliant melting pot of culinary greatness. If you want to understand the diversity of Australian cuisine, you could do a lot worse than paying a visit to Timmy Green in Victoria. The restaurant is named after the owner’s late brother, a patriotic Australian cowboy who embraced everything about traditional farm life. The menu takes inspiration from his love of the land from items like grass-fed and 28+days dry-aged steaks to popular sharing platters like the Aussie BBQ meat board with locally sourced lamb tomahawk, herb & fennel sausages, and smoky BBQ back ribs, etc.
Vegetarians and pescatarians are also well-catered for here. During our visit, we tried an extremely appetising tuna tataki; tiger’s milk used to cook this dish is always an ideal starter with liberal doses of lime juice to help whet the appetite. My vegetarian guest ordered the smoked aubergine tacos and you can’t fail to admire the audacity of the dish which brings together Middle-Eastern, Mexican and Korean cuisine all under one creation. It was served with avocado cream, pickled cucumber, house kimchi, slow-baked carrot, and coriander.
Portions are on the generous side especially if you order their signature, famous chicken parmigiana. It is always a winning formula for success if you can include tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan and panko coated chicken schnitzel in the same dish. When we tried the dish, the meat was moist and tender and it also came with prosciutto and hand-cut chips. Considering the menu isn’t particularly lengthy, they do offer plenty of vegan-friendly options such as fire-roasted aubergine and fragrant roasted butternut squash and carrot curry.
Sides are more often than not treated as an afterthought, but at Timmy Green, they are not-to-be-missed, especially the Korean hot potato which includes 15 layers of crispy potato gratin flavoured with spicy habanero sauce and served along with pickled kohlrabi and crispy onions. We were defeated by the size of the main courses, but if you do have a spacious dessert stomach, you can try some of their Australian classics like pavlova and Melbourne Mars Bar cheesecake ball. Timmy Green is also well-known for being one of the most popular places for brunches with Londoners, so there is no reason not to check out the restaurant soon.
If you’ve been sleeping on a good old karaoke evening then now is the time to revisit the long-time favourite, because Bunga Bunga has brought it back with a bang and sprinkled on some added pizzazz. We joined them to celebrate the relaunch of the shiny new Bunga Bunga Battersea and to experience some of the exciting and inventive new karaoke-inspired evenings they have on offer.
Singo Bingo
Bingo is no longer just a Sunday afternoon pastime. Clear your Wednesday evenings from now on for Singo Bingo and prepare to win prices, eat pizza and throw it way back with Mumma Bunga’s karaoke ball announcements. Clinging to cocktails with our bingo sheets at the ready, we waited eagerly for the cage to spin and the musical numbers to commence. In-between mouthfuls of temptingly large cheesy pizza we crossed off figures on our sheets and hoped that we would have a chance to yell ‘Bunga Bunga Bingo Bingo’ and win a prize. We didn’t this time – but I do consider the amount of pizza I consumed as a personal win.
SingalongaBunga
We then moved on to experience SingalongaBunga, where the resident karaoke master lead us in a group singalong and a person from each of our tables went up to take on the microphone by themselves, too. Now and again during the evening, the music would change as a table ordered the ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa’ sharer cocktail, which is a sweet almondy concoction with a double hit of rum for six people. It comes with its very own special entrance of confetti, sparklers and singing staff members.
Bunga In Their Eyes
Lastly, Bunga In Their Eyes is Bunga Bunga’s very own version of ‘Stars in their eyes’ (millennial’s will appreciate the throwback here) which takes place every Thursday night. This is the chance to get glammed up behind the scenes and take to the stage as a famous singer of your choice. Donning wigs, feather boas and sunglasses, our fellow diners gave it their all for a chance to spin the Bunga wheel and win prizes such as a free cocktail and even a ‘speedboat’ (disclaimer: the speedboat may be a tad smaller than you think!).
We had a blast celebrating the new Bunga Bunga Battersea. Its easy to enjoy the (literally) all singing, all dancing evenings with confetti blasting out from here there and everywhere. Plus I won’t be forgetting the out-of-this-world delicious pizza anytime soon. Head to Bunga Bunga Battersea for dynamic karaoke evenings filled with pizza and pure fun, usually fuelled by a whole load of boozy brilliance and Britney renditions: https://www.bungabunga.com/battersea/
Can you feel the new season in the air? There’s been a distinct switch from dark, cold wet days, to a hint of sunshine and warmer days with lighter nights, and a promise of good things to come.
#TeamCoco love it when a new season arrives; it means new adventures, new places to see, new people to meet, and new things to try, as we are seriously not into FOMO!
Let’s take you on a little journey into spring through your taste buds. Here are a few seasonal drinks to get you excited for the months ahead. Non-Alcoholic
Freixenet 0.0% Rose
If ever there were a season to enjoy an alcohol-free glass of something pink, it has to be spring. This sparkling glass of pink Freixenet with persistent bubbles epitomises the taste of new things to come, with juicy wild berries plus aromatic notes of floral and tropical fruits. Priced at £6 per bottle, available from Tesco and Morrisons.
Bird & Blend Tea Co. Hot Cross Bun Tea
Bird & Blend has brought back an absolute seasonal favourite – Hot Cross Bun Tea, and it’s back with a bang for 2020! This divine Spring treat mixes Rooibos, Sri Lankan black tea, cinnamon, hibiscus, apple pieces, rosehip, orange peel, vanilla and cranberry pieces, conjuring the aroma and taste of freshly baked hot cross buns. Priced at £5.80 for 50g, available from birdandblendtea.com
CanO Water
If you want a refreshing drink that’s both good for you and is a sustainable option over plastic then look no further than CanO Water. CanO Water is a fully recyclable alternative to bottled water in the form of an aluminium can, filled with the best quality spring water from the Alps. The company wanted a more sustainable solution to single use plastic, and after recognising the benefits of aluminium, they introduced a canned water alternative to the market. The company were also the first of their kind to introduce re-sealable ringpulls for optimum convenience and prevention of waste. Priced at £1 per 500ml can, available from Harrods, Selfridges, Tesco, and Ocado
The Botanist
The Botanist, known for being leading drinks innovators, have announced the launch of the new cocktail collection ‘Drink Twinning’, where you can sip exactly the same cocktail as your friend – almost the same. No longer do those opting for a non alcoholic alternative need to feel like they’re missing out with a selection of drinks delivering the same experience, taste profile and look but without the alcohol. Visit https://thebotanist.uk.com/ for more info. The Botanist (non-alcoholic) – £4.95 Bax Botanics Verbena, Belvoir Elderflower, Jasmine syrup, red amaranth, fresh mint, lime juice and lemonade. The Botanist (alcoholic) – £7.95 Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, Ketel One vodka, St Germain, jasmine syrup, red amaranth, fresh mint, lime juice and lemonade Alcoholic
La Crema Monterey Chardonnay
If an ice cold glass of something crisp and exotic is your preferred choice this season then you must try the Monterey Chardonnay by La Crema. Tasting notes: “On the nose, Meyer lemon, passionfruit, grilled pineapple and guava. Nectarine, papaya and crisp lemon-tangerine notes are complimented by touch of spice and complexing minerality on the palate. Priced at £27.30 per bottle, available from Blanco & Gomez – bgwm.co.uk or via Fells – fells.co.uk
Roe & Co Premium Blend Irish Whiskey
Roe & Co is a new premium blended Irish whiskey, refined, elegant and with remarkable depth, a masterful blend of rich malt whiskey and the smoothest of grain whiskey aged in bourbon casks. And, it works perfectly in a Roe Irish Coffee. Ingredients – 40ml Roe & Co, 60ml freshly brewed Americano coffee, 10ml porter syrup/sugar syrup, 15ml fresh lightly whipped cream, grated nutmeg & 3 coffee beans Method – Heat the Irish coffee glass with boiling water, once heated empty the water out and add 60ml of freshly brewed hot coffee and in the syrup, stir lightly, pour in 40ml of Roe & Co and layer lightly whipped fresh cream on top, garnish with 3 coffee beans and a light dusting of grated nutmeg Priced at £31.75 (70cl), available from The Whisky Exchange – thewhiskyexchange.com
Whitley Neill Aloe & Cucumber Gin
Whitley Neill Aloe & Cucumber Gin is a luxurious handcrafted African infusion of fresh, green and earthy cucumber that’s been combined with succulent Karoo aloe to enhance its overall complexity. A smooth and fragrant yet well-balanced gin, which is perfect for sipping over ice and pairing with cocktails or a delicious G&T. Priced at £21 (70cl), available from Amazon – https://amzn.to/38kxosi
If you should wander on down the whitewashed streets of Kensington, you’ll no doubt stumble across the beautiful 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel. Contained therein is Botanica, a tearoom set within a plant draped atrium dripping with cherry blossom and lime. Step inside their redolent quarters and brace yourself for a journey of the senses as part of their unique collaboration with luxury perfumer, Floris, London. Whilst flavour will always be the most important aspect of any afternoon tea experience, ‘Scentsation’ broadens our sensory horizons, stimulating scent, sights, textures and interactions, creating a truly unique experience.
Rather than rely solely on a gilded stand adorned with sumptuous cakes and delicious goodies that you cannot wait to gobble up with edacious glee (although there are still plenty of those on offer here), ‘Scentsation’ draws you in with intoxicating fragrance, a heady bouquet of cherry blossom and lime fills the air as you approach your table. If you’re not wholly keen on floral flavours then, please, do not fear. The floral notes of what you are about to be served are so nuanced, so flawlessly blended and intertwined with an abundance of different flavours, textures and temperatures, that there is nothing overbearing or overly flowery to be concerned about. The absolute genius of this experience is that the flavours are presented in such a gentle way before you are provided with options to enhance them, add an umami edge, or additional honeyed sweetness. No two experiences are the same, and there are no guidelines other than to, well, to create whatever pleases your senses.
Heading in to Botanica, you are greeted with flourishes of blushing blossoms and verdant, lush foliage. The surroundings, resplendent, yet cosy, are fresh and vibrant whilst retaining the opulence and grandeur of the hotel itself. Upon being seated, you will find a handy pairing guide tucked inside your napkin, containing gentle advice as to how to pair up your afternoon treats with the selection of additional toppings provided. Each table is furnished with a tray of toppings varying from sweet to savoury, light to umami, allowing you to create your own, truly bespoke experience. The thyme, pink peppercorn and sumac topping paired beautifully with the lemon desserts, the golden popping candy added an explosive surprise to the lime dome, the lavender honey (my personal favourite) added a delectable edge to the buttery madeleine, and the Himalayan salted dark chocolate was perfect with just about everything. There are no rules here, you are free to experiment and scatter toppings as you please, finding your own preference as you go. I even added a little thyme, pink peppercorn and sumac to one of my scones, along with clotted cream and a little jam. Whilst it’s not something I would have normally paired up at home, the freedom to experiment entices you to try flavour combinations you wouldn’t normally be inclined to throw together.
The afternoon tea itself comprises of three layers of treats: savoury sandwiches and flatbreads, featuring silky smoked salmon and spiced chicken, cakes and pastries, including the silky Buddha’s hand madeleine and fluffy, croquelin choux, crowned with a tier of scones accompanied by velvety clotted cream and zingy fruit jams. The teas, provided by the fabulous Whittard of London, include their famous Sakura blend (green tea and cheery) to compliment the scones, and Keemun, the perfect accompaniment for the lemon and lime notes of the baked desserts. If you’ve something to celebrate (or even if you haven’t), you can of course upgrade to the champagne option for an effervescent alternative.
For those wishing to elevate their experience, 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel are also offering an exclusive Floris hotel package. Alongside the ‘Scentsation’ Afternoon Tea, guests can enjoy an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s sumptuous suites, which also includes a complimentary full-size bottle of one of Floris London’s iconic fragrances. A VIP version of the Floris package will also be available to book, with the added element of a stay in the luxurious Queen’s Gate Suite, which boasts a private entrance with direct street access and up to four private bedrooms, alongside a behind the scenes tour of Floris’ Jermyn Street store, guided by either the Bespoke Perfumer or Perfumery Director. Following the tour, guests will have the opportunity to create a bespoke fragrance, choosing from a wide selection of fine fragrance bases and notes, the perfumer will slowly create a scent that is truly personalised to you, adding new accords to complement the guest’s taste until the unique fragrance is complete.
The Lowdown:
The Afternoon Tea Scentsation is an e-scent-tial (sorry) experience for any foodie, tea aficionado, purveyor of luxury fragrances, or anyone who enjoys delicious food in a sumptuous setting away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of London. You will be spoiled with exceptional culinary offerings, enveloped in bewitching scents, and looked after by the friendliest, most welcoming hotel staff in Kensington. An unmissable experience, the Afternoon Tea Scentsation is priced at £42.50 per person (£55 per person with a glass of Moet & Chandon Champagne) and can be booked directly at https://100queensgate.com/food-and-drink/botanica
Behind the duck egg façade of Hugo’s on Merrion Row lies a restaurant with a tantalising secret. Before I divulge, I must make it abundantly clear that even before being privy to this juicy piece of info, Hugo’s was, and always will be, my go-to restaurant in Dublin. Boasting deliciously stunning dishes in a relaxed, upscale environment, Hugo’s is always top of my list when it comes to culinary offerings on the Emerald Isle. Daytime dining is relaxed and informal, whilst the evening is a more sophisticated affair. The dishes are simple, yet delicious, the quality of ingredients evident in every bite. Gina, the proprietor, hails from a family heavily entwined in the hospitality arena. Her years of working and setting quality standards in the industry, teamed with her sincere warmth and care for her clientele, have culminated in a restaurant where every customer is a friend. Hell, it’s the “Cheers” of Ireland, only, sadly, I have a plane ticket home the following day so I can’t prop up the bar and share stories all day.
I was just sitting down to lunch (the silkiest, croque monsieur I’ve experienced outside of Paris) and having a casual scroll through the Hugo’s social media feed when a shot of Dave Grohl (of Foo Fighters fame, if you don’t know this, I insist you download their back catalogue immediately) working behind the bar popped up on the feed. Less than 24 hours before I had arrived there with my brother, a rock guitarist and huge Foo’s fan himself, Dave Grohl, the rest of the band and tour crew had been partying in an independent restaurant on an unassuming Dublin street. There was no way I was leaving without the backstory to this, and so ensued an afternoon of the wonderfully amusing storytelling that the Irish are so famous for. We popped open a bottle of Gamay 2016 Domaine a Deux, a great afternoon wine as recommended by Shane, and sat down with Gina to discuss all things food and rock over dessert.
Hugo’s opened in 2007, bringing Gina’s vision of a lively, classy bistro-style restaurant featuring an Irish menu with French influences to life. Their head chef, Peter, leads the team in creating innovative, imaginative dishes, using fresh, locally sourced produce. The food is upmarket without being pretentious, as is the interior and atmosphere. What Gina has created goes beyond regular hospitality: throughout the afternoon, dozens of people dropped in to book a table or just to say hello. She knew everyone by name, everyone’s backstory, everyone was a friend. This genuine respect and care is probably why Rihanna held her Thanksgiving at Hugo’s a couple of years back, or why Pearl Jam, Metallica and other rock legends choose to dine here when recording and performing in Dublin. The musicians who drink and dine here aren’t made a fuss of, there’s no commotion or revelry, they are just looked after the same as Gina and her staff would care for any other patron. We’re all equal here, no rigmarole or commotion, even if you’ve sold millions of albums. Everyone is on their best behaviour, with the exception of the group of “annoying Americans” who insisted on singing Happy Birthday to a young lady on her 18th. Those “annoying Americans” were the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and they were only trying to be nice.
The casual nature of Hugo’s and Gina’s reluctance to brag about what goes on behind the scenes means you can still get a table here without silly waiting lists or being ushered out as soon as you’ve finished dessert (although it can get pretty busy during the evenings so booking is advised). The food is well priced, but the craic is priceless. For great food, great booze, and a warm and friendly atmosphere to boot, Hugo’s is the place to go. And you never know who you might spot there…
Hugo’s is located at 6 Merrion Row, Dublin 2. Bookings can be made online at www.hugos.ie or by telephone on 01-676 5955
