Here at Flavourmag, we LOVE this time of year. The countdown to Christmas has well and truly kicked off and that brings with it the best things of all… including Gingerbread Man decorating classes, festive brunches, wonderful burgers, parties, cabarets and many more.
We’ve rounded up some of the best below for you to enjoy.
A Christmas children’s class at Bluebird
To celebrate the festive season, Chelsea’s favourite spot Bluebird will be hosting a Gingerbread Man decorating class for children on Wednesday 16th December from 4pm. Tickets cost £20 per child and include everything children could need to create their dream gingerbread man – a perfect start to the holidays! To book your child a place, email ellieb@danddlondon.com or call 07471 034460.
Christmas is nearly upon us, and Tom’s Kitchen is the perfect place to celebrate with an extra special festive brunch. Dishes will include Truffled Eggs Benedict with duck egg, truffle hollandaise & crispy parma ham; Cornish Lobster & Crab Benedict with chilli & coriander hollandaise; and a Festive Game Burger with cranberry relish, bacon, gherkins & triple cooked chips. Tom’s Kitchen restaurants in Chelsea, Canary Wharf, St Katharine Docks and Somerset House use the finest British ingredients to create menus that are served in a relaxed and informal environment. The brunch will be available at Chelsea and St Katharine Docks on 26th, 27th and 28th December and 1st, 2nd and 3rd January, and at Canary Wharf on the 2nd and 3rd January. www.tomskitchen.co.uk
This year, Tommi’s Burger Joint is bringing the festive cheer with their limited edition venison burger. The venison patty is topped with creamy brie, rocket, pickled red cabbage, green pepper mayo and cranberry sauce. Like all of Tommi’s burgers, only carefully sourced British produce is used, with meat from HG Walters butcher in Baron’s Court, and bread from Millers bakery. Available now until the end of December, so come all ye faithful burger fans, and get one whilst you can! For every £9.90 venison burger bought, £1.00 will be donated to Age UK Westminster. www.burgerjoint.co.uk
Kensington favourite, Yashin Ocean House, is serving an exquisite Japanese sharing menu of some of their most popular and delicious dishes. From chargrilled Chilean seabass and sukiyaki rolls to miso cappuccino and paradise prawn tempura, the menu offers a taste of Japan together with the most contemporary cooking techniques. A must for fans ofJapanese food. www.yashinocean.com
On Tuesday 22nd December, Northern Chinese restaurant Hutong is set to celebrate the annual Dongzhi or Winter Solstice Festival with a dedicated menu. Loosely translating to “the extreme of winter”, the Dongzhi festival celebrates the return of longer daylight hours and an increase of positive energy. To mark the occasion, head chef Bing Luo, has created an impressive nine-course menu including dishes such as Braised cuttlefish salad with Sichuan pepper dressing,and Roasted Peking duck served traditionally in two stages. Priced at £75 per person, the Winter Solstice menu will be available on 22nd December 2015 only, 6.00pm – 10.45pm. To make a reservation, please call 020 3011 1257 email hutongreservations@aqua-london.com or visit www.hutong.co.uk
Christmas Menu at Le Pain Quotidien
Belgian restaurant and boulangerie Le Pain Quotidien, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary this year, has launched a new evening menu across all London sites – just in time for Christmas.
From hors-d’ouvre to desserts and everything in between, Le Pain Quotidien’s dinner menu is guaranteed to have something tempting to warm you during the colder nights.
LPQ Evening Menu
Hors-d’oeuvre; Mixed Olives, Home Roasted Organic Almonds
Entrees; Half Seasonal Tartine, Moroccan Spiced Lamb Meatballs; Crevettes; Organic Soup of the Day
Large Plates: Salmon en Papillote; Confit Duck; Coq au Vin; Organic Mince Pie
Sides: Winter Greens; Glace Carrots; Courgette & Fennel Salad; Green Beans; Roasted Potato & Aioli
Desserts
Buche du Noel; Organic Mince Pie; Gluten Free Mince Pie; Fondant au Chocolat
And as it’s Christmas, why not try the new festive special set menu. Two courses include a large plate, side, dessert and an organic hot beverage for £25. Three courses include all of the above plus an entree for £30.
Le Pain Quotidien celebrates New Year’s Eve at Southbank Centre
Belgian restaurant and boulangerie Le Pain Quotidien invites guests to toast midnight with a glass of organic Prosecco at the Southbank Centre this New Year’s Eve.
Priced at £125 per person, the New Year’s Eve celebration boasts exclusive access to the fireworks over the Thames and includes organic fare to eat and drink throughout the evening.
Guests can enjoy a glass of Prosecco, Mulled Wine, Bucks Fizz or Orange & Cranberry Spritzer on arrival before tucking into a three-course meal.
A menu of organic dishes will be served including Smoked Salmon Tartine, Seasonal Tartine, Spiced Meatballs or Seasonal Soup as entrees; Coq au Vin, Confit Duck, salmon en Papillote or Quinoa Cake for main and Bûche de Noël,Fondant au Chocolat or Mince Pie & Whipped Cream (gluten free and vegan options available) to finish.
Tickets can be booked by contacting the restaurant on 020 3657 6925 or by email festivalhall@lepainquotidien.co.uk.
During the month of December 2015, street food stand Grill My Cheese will be taking up temporary residency at the South Bank Winter Market, serving up their range of gourmet grilled cheese toasted sandwiches.
Grill My Cheese uses only free-range meat, organic sourdough bread and British artisan cheese from the likes of Keen’s Farm. There will be limited edition items on the menu such as the Cheese and Wine Toastie, made with Castello Tickler mature cheddar, salted grapes, rioja mulled wine jelly and cracker crumbs.
Items on the menu at The South Bank include The G.M.C (£5), the Grill My Cheese favourite that consists of organic sourdough bread, homemade béchamel sauce and their signature cheese blend which includes two types of cheddar, mozzarella and an aged gruyere. The BABY GOT MAC with pulled pork, GMC BBQ sauce and macaroni cheese (£6.50), Fries with Cheese Dust (£4) and an exclusive Apple Pie Cocktail (£5).
Grill My Cheese is open every Wednesday to Friday from 12pm – 2pm on the Clerkenwell Road side of Leather Lane but diners are advised to check @Grill_my_cheese in case of changes.
The South Bank Winter Market runs until the 24th December 2015 and is open from 11:00am – 22:00pm (11am-9pm Sun-Thurs, and 11am-10pm Fri & Sat) Clustered along the riverbank, the market’s wooden chalets are filled with festive food, drinks, gifts and treats. visit grillmycheese.co.uk now
Enjoy an extended New Year’s Eve at Soho favourite, Blanchette with doors open until 6am. The quintessentially Parisian bistro will be serving the usual a la carte menu as well as some delicious specials, including scallops. The kitchen will close at 11pm, while the bar will stay open until 6am. There will also be an appearance on the decks from co-founder, DJ Malik Alary as well as guest, DJ Shade. On 1st January, Blanchette will be open for lunch and dinner. www.blanchettesoho.co.uk
This year, Chef Director Ben Tish and Head Chef Jacques Fourie, have created a delicious menu with matching wine and cocktails. Dishes include Truffled duck liver parfait with picked chestnuts and Grilled Venison haunch with celeriac, walnut and braised kale, followed by Slow roasted beef sirloin/ Beef fore rib with a variety of sides to choose from including, Potato and truffle gratin and Josper roasted Jerusalem artichokes with smoked butter and garlic. To finish, guests will be able to enjoy a Dulce de leche torrijas with white chocolate and plum jam and Smoked chocolate truffles with Vin Santo. The special evening will be accompanied by a live cabaret performance for those who wish to bring in the New Year with Ember Yard. Priced at £150, the menu includes a welcome cocktail, half a bottle of wine and a glass of champagne at midnight. To book a table please email info@emberyard.co.uk or call 0207 439 8057.