Top 5: Ways to Eat Christmas in London This WeekBy Angelica Malin
You simply cannot beat Christmas in London; the lights, the window displays, the festive cheer, the fact that people smile on the tube. Forget stollen, here’s 5 ways creative and fantastic ways to eat Christmas in the capital this week:
1. Warm Up On: Ginger Hot Chocolate, The Providores
What: Ginger hot chocolate at The Providores, one of our favourite ‘sharing’ restaurants in Marylebone, is just the thing for this time of year. Warm, spicy, sweet, it’s festive in all the right kind of ways.
Where: The Providores, 109 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4RX
Why: The hot chocolate contains ginger liqueur, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, and will have you thinking it’s December 25th already.
2. Get Drunk On: Mulled Swine, Duck and Waffle
What: Duck and Waffle is THE place to go if you like creative cocktails and unusual flavours – you can read more about their blue cheese and white chocolate martini here. This Christmas, they are introducing a range of fantastic festival cocktails; think a twist on mulled wine with piggy brandy, reduced claret, festival spices and maple. Oh, behave.
Where: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AY
Why: The team at Duck and Waffle aren’t afraid to go big – their kooky creations is the stuff of legends, follow Executive Chef Dan Doherty on Twitter here and Rich Woods here to keep up with their gastronomic inventions.
Photo credit: @mintangevens
3. Snack On: Tio Pepe and Festive Popcorn, Bar Pepito
What: Tio Pepe has teamed up with gourmet popcorn specialists Pop in Notting Hill to create three bespoke Christmas flavours. Think: Pigs in Blankets, Roast Turkey with Stuffing and Blue Cheese popcorn. Yes, really. The menu is launching in four of the coolest sherry bars around the UK; Bar Pepito, London’s first every sherry bar, The Larder House in Bournemouth, Bar 44 in Cowbridge and Ambiente in Leeds. It’s £5 per person for 100ml glass of Tio Pepe and three servings of gourmet popcorn. Bargain.
Where: 3 Varnishers Yard, London, N1 9DF
Why: Pigs in Blankets popcorn, people.
4. Party On: Patron Tequila, Bethnal Green
What: To celebrate Christmas, Patron are hosting a special Christmas pop-up for three days only. Tequila Patron are bringing Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to life in Town Hall Hotel, Bethnal Green. The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future will take guests on a tequila-infused journey, with music, fun and dancing.
Where: Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, Bethnal Green E2 9NF
Why: Think: a snapshot of Christmas parties past, where tequila is served in shots with retro party food and 80s party tunes, then a present full of presents to enjoy the best Patrón cocktails of the moment from London, New York and Mexico and then Patrón Christmas Future with guests DJs and glow in the dark cocktails. It’s £20 per ticket – book here.
5. Feast On: Afternoon Tea, Skylounge
What: Launching Monday 1st December, the Christmas afternoon tea at Skylounge is truly festive – Christmassy cinnamon scones and Calvados cream, red velvet cupcakes, iced biscuits, cake pops, Christmas baubles filled with rich chocolate mousse, delicious sandwiches and mulled wine.
Where: 7 Pepys St, London EC3N 4AF
Why: For the views. Skylounge is up on the 12th floor of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Tower Hill, so afternoon tea not only offers a decadent treat but unbeatable views of The Shard, The Gherkin and Tower Bridge, too. Good times.
And one for luck…
No festive outing would be complete without the festive get-up, too. I personally cannot get enough of this multi-cultural festive Christmas jumper, and have been buying it for anyone I lock eyes with. Get yours here.
