Thank you to all who have supported our clients through these past few months and continue to host celebrations and get togethers at some of the very best- not to mention delicious- spots in town.
And so, we turn to party season… We’ve searched high and low to find (and share with you) the best gifts to buy for loved ones (always food and drink, whatever the occasion). We also bring glad tidings in the form of the finest Christmas-inspired cocktails, dishes, and events this December, as well as a run-down of where to book for the 25th, New Year’s Eve, and our new favourite annual tradition, New Year’s Day brunch (spoiler, it's Decimo).
2021, you’ve been exhilarating.
Our pick of the most festive dishes and cocktails in town...
The Princess of Shoreditch
Over at The Princess of Shoreditch, chef Ruth Hansom will be serving up a festive version of her signature soufflé, incorporating the rich and fruity flavours of a classic Christmas pudding, served with cranberry ice cream, as well as a mince pie fondant to complete the upstairs tasting menu. Click here to book.
Pastaio
Pastaio’s Christmas menu sees classic festive flavours used to create fresh takes on standard seasonal fare. December's menu includes mulled wine-flavoured prosecco slushies; brussels sprout, chestnut and pancetta gnocchi, and goose, duck and turkey ragù served with handmade pappardelle. Oh Stevie, brava!
Honest Burgers
We always look forward to an Honest Burgers' Christmas, and this year is no different. Choose the Christmas, featuring Honest beef, smoked bacon, deep-fried camembert, cranberry sauce and rocket, or the Vegan Christmas, with a plant-based patty, THIS Isn’t Bacon, double Applewood Vegan cheese, shoestring fries, cranberry sauce, and rocket, and grab a couple of Winter Spiced Mules to wash them down with… Available until 24 December and always served with Honest’s rosemary chips.
Luca
Taking the ‘Tis the season to be jolly’ notion quite literally, Luca is marking the festive period by launching a selection of new winter cocktails. The Caffè Irlandese mixes Vecchia Romagna brandy with coffee, double cream and branca menta for an indulgent after-dinner treat, while the Wintergroni provides a seasonal twist on Italy’s iconic aperitif with Malfy blood orange gin, Amaro Montenegro, sweet vermouth and Pino Mugo liqueur.
Butchies
With a name like Sweet Baby Cheesus, not only does the festive special from Butchies sound delicious (and, with its combination of fried chicken with deep fried brie, cranberry sauce and house-made hot chilli honey, it very much is), but it also wins the prize for most creatively named Christmas dish of the year. Available until 31 December at Butchies Shoreditch, Victoria, Fulham and Clapham as well as on Deliveroo.
The Beaumont hotel
Another top spot for Christmas cocktails is Le Magritte Bar at The Beaumont, where you can sip on seasonal serves such as The Mob Toddy, a warm blend of Maker’s Mark bourbon, Amaro Nonnino, maple syrup, lemon juice, and D.R. Harris Pick-Me-Up Bitter, and the Grinch in the Cup - a jollier-than-its-namesake combination of Pineau des Charentes, Fernet Branca Menta, D.R. Harris Pick-Me-Up Bitter, Maker’s Mark bourbon, and brown sugar.
The places and parties that will get you feeling festive...
Double Standard and Isla at The Standard, London
Catch us getting into the Christmas spirit on the terrace at Double Standard, which opens today and has been transformed into a cosy yurt complete with fire pit and snowball slushies. Or nip next door to Isla for toast-at-the-table s’mores and more. Artists-in-residence Harris Reed and Chet Lo have designed the hotel's ground floor decorations and tree installations this year too, for a dramatic, very Standard, Christmas.
Specialist Cellars' Garage Sale
Calling all wine lovers - head to Pop Brixton on 11 December for Specialist Cellars’ annual Garage Sale. Bringing together premium hard-to-find wines from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa with plenty of festive vibes, this fun-filled festive event will feature wine tastings and exclusive discounts on a diverse selection of bottles. Tickets cost £10 per person (and for that you can try up to 40 wines!) book here.
Skylight domes at Vinegar Yard
London Bridge’s Vinegar Yard has unveiled its new skylight domes in partnership with Grey Goose. The mezzanine overlooking The Shard has been transformed into an après-ski haven, with heated skylight domes with cosy blankets and sparkling lights to get you in the Christmas spirit (the Mistletoe Martini on arrival will help too). These are the perfect place for up to 8 friends to meet and enjoy Christmas specials from the yard's street food traders including a Truffle Ho Ho Ho Burger; a Fairytale of Naples pizza and a Christmas Pork Roast.
"The people who give you their food give you their heart" - Cesar Chavez
This year it's easier than ever to buy brilliant food and drink from the best hospitality businesses out there. Here's just a selection that come from the Tonic family, from wines to butters, from soy sauce to private tastings - show your loved ones a very special time this Christmas with any combination of the below...
The best new world wines from Specialist Cellars
From Aussie fizz and New Zealand’s very own critically acclaimed gin, to extravagant magnums and luxury liquid wine journeys, there is something for every kind of wine lover at Specialist Cellars. All wine packages are delivered nationwide and gift packs start at £24.50. Click here to order.
Oklava x The Estate Dairy Medjool Date Butter
Sticky medjool dates, black rice vinegar and premium butter are mixed to produce this sweet-salty spread that’s great in bacon butties, and even better on toast. It costs £4.95 and can be collected from Oklava or ordered via Slerp here.
The Proof's After dinner hamper
For all those with a sweet tooth, The Proof’s stylish Christmas hamper can’t be bettered. It includes a selection of delicious festive puddings, including orange crumble mince pies, a chocolate Yule Log and ‘pruffles’ - truffle-filled profiteroles in the shape of mini Christmas puddings - as well as some savoury goodies for good measure. £120 (excluding delivery), to order click here.
Private wine tasting at Trivet
Treat the wine aficionados in your life to a Private Wine Masterclass at Bermondsey restaurant Trivet. Priced at £50 per person, the tasting is hosted by Master Sommelier Isa Bal (ex-Fat Duck) and his expert team and includes a selection of wines (pre-selected from Trivet’s 350-strong cellar) for the tasting, as well as Trivet snacks by Jonny Lake (also ex-Fat Duck). Book here.
Poon’s Chinese pantry staples
Amy and Bill Poon - the family behind the eponymous West End restaurant institution - have brought back Poon’s with the launch of a signature sauce range based on their family recipes. The line-up comprises Poon’s Extraordinary Chilli Oil (£6.50), Chilli Vinegar Dressing (£7.50), Poon’s Premium First Extract Soy Sauce (£16), and Poon’s WO Sauce (£8). Find them all at souschef.co.uk
Where to eat on the big day(s)
Revel in Christmas Eve magic at Indian fine-dining restaurant Kutir, which will serve a seven-course menu of dishes including bream with basil, tomatoes and mustard, and mallard chettinad with yoghurt. £80 per person, or £75 per person for a vegetarian version. Wine pairing is also available at £65 per person.
This Christmas Day, Decimo will serve up executive chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias' Mexican and Spanish twist on a classic Christmas lunch. Served from noon to 5pm, the three-course feast is priced at £70 per person and features Spanish pigs in blankets, cauliflower tacos, and Muscovy duck with mole.
Celebrate at The Colony Grill Room with an indulgent lunch, priced at £185 per person. Chef Ben Boeynaems’ transatlantic take on Christmas lunch features cured organic salmon with Dorset crab, crème fraîche and Oscietra caviar; roast Copas turkey with traditional garnishes and a side of potted stilton, or beetroot Wellington with horseradish creamed potatoes and mushroom ragout.
The Salt Room is serving a four-course à la carte menu on Christmas Day, starting with dishes including duck and game terrine, and white crab crumpet with brown crab mayo, followed by dry-aged fillet of Lake District beef, grilled Dover sole, or celeriac and mushroom pithivier.
Trivet’s New Year's Eve set menu is inspired by owners Jonny and Isa’s exploration of ingredients, dishes and techniques from all over the world, expertly paired with bottles from Trivet’s extensive cellar.
Start the year on a high and head back to Decimo on the 10th floor of The Standard, London for a live music brunch on the 1st from 12-4pm. Expect Mexican and Spanish-influenced dishes including huevos a la flamenca and gambas rojas tortilla, live music from DJ Harv-Inder, and unparalleled views of London’s skyline. There are jugs of Decimo's signature margaritas on the menu, too, for some much-needed hair of the dog.
