5 Ways to Eat Christmas in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” Norman Vincent Peale
Christmas in London. It’s surely the best time of year. If you haven’t had your fill of mince pies and carols, here’s 5 ways to get into the festive spirit this week:
1. Eat Christmas in a Hot Dog: Top Dog
What: Christmas in London is all about festive feasting, and pigs in blankets is the one of the best things about Christmas (and Sunday roasts for that matter). London’s first USA-style hot dog joint, Top Dog, is bringing in the festive season with their own take on pigs in blanket, with their self styled Christmas Dog in a Blanket. The humble hot dog just got a holiday makeover.
Why: Top Dog brings American hot dogs from the West Coast to the West-End, the restaurant combines classic American flavours using the best of British ingredients. The new Christmas Dog in a Blankets features hand-selected, free-range smoked pork dog wrapped in bacon and smothered with crispy shallots, pan-fried sage and cranberry sauce. And, not wanting veggies to miss out, they serve up a pretty mean corn n’ guac tofu dog. Save some space for their chocolate chip cookies and fudgy chocolate brownies. Heaven.
Price: £6.95
Where: 48 Frith St, London W1D 4SF
2. Eat Christmas in an Afternoon Tea: The Orangery
What: It wouldn’t be Christmas in London without festive music. Throughout the festive season, The Orangery at Kensington Palace is serving their specially created Christmas Afternoon Tea. The Orangery is the only royal palace in London where you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, served with a slice of elegance. And, on the second, third and fourth Sunday of December there will be a harpist playing.
Why: Sip on a selection of loose teas, tisanes or coffee or get into the Christmas spirit by upgrading your afternoon tea with a glass of either Laurent Perrier Champagne or Winter Pimm’s. Enjoy homemade Christmas cake, mince pies and a selection of sandwiches.
Price: £26.00 per person for English Orangery Afternoon Tea or £36/32 per person for Afternoon Tea with a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne/Winter Pimm’s.
Where: Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London, W8 4PX
3. Eat Christmas in Battered Sprouts: Sutton & Sons
What: For something different whilst celebrating Christmas in London, head here. Sutton & Sons, the award-winning family-run fish and chip shop has launched an exclusive range of battered Christmas favourites this December across its Stoke Newington, Islington and Box Park branches. Battered Brussel sprouts for all – it’s a Christmas miracle.
Why: At Sutton & Sons you can fill your tum while adding to your five-a-day by picking up a side order of battered sprouts. In the mood for dessert? Indulge your sweet tooth with a battered mince pie with brandy cream or ice cream. Hold off on the gravy, we’ll have a portion of battered sprouts to go with our fish, thanks.
Price: Battered sprouts £2.50 and £3.50 for battered mince pies.
Where: Locations here
4. Drink Christmas in Cocktails: York & Albany
What: Christmas in London is made truly magic at the York & Albany. Transport yourself to a mountain top hideaway with the return of York & Albany’s Winter Chalet, nestled in the cosy courtyard of the townhouse, restaurant and bar. Think a wintry mountain retreat complete with fairy lights, pinecones and lanterns.
Why: Along with ski lodge decor, enjoy toasty tipples of York and Albany’s own winter spiced old fashioned with home-infused vodka or try the chilled mulled cider. Feast on Head Chef Will Stanyer’s festive fayre – raclette, venison kromeski, and salmon with horseradish mousse. Sweet treats include coconut and lychee snowballs and baked Alaska.
Price: From £30 per person
Where: 127 – 129 Parkway, London, NW1 7PS
5. Eat Christmas in a Festive Menu: Darwin Brasserie
What: Sky Garden, home to Darwin Brasserie has Christmas wrapped up with their group dining packages. Darwin Brasserie offers seasonal, British food in a vibrant and bustling atmosphere on Level 36, boasting views across the Thames. Lovingly created, the new festive menus are served right up until Christmas Eve.
Why: The menu includes dishes such as house-cured salmon on buckwheat blinis with caviar; butternut squash tortellini with crispy parmesan and sage butter, and warm chestnut cake with caramelised pear and honeycomb or the dreamy Coconut panna cotta with spicy pineapple carpaccio.
Price: Available for groups of six or more, £55 per guest
Where: 20 Fenchurch Street (via Philpot Lane), City of London, EC3M 3BY
One for luck…
6. Eat Christmas in a Cinnamon Bun: Nordic Bakery
What: The bakery describes itself as a peaceful meeting place in a frantic city – and we can see why. A beautiful, calm oasis that wafts of freshly cooked cinnamon buns is enough to make you forget all your mid-week stresses. The Scandinavian-style café offers simple and savoury Nordic bakery products, along with their new Christmas range of Christmas stars and warming mugs of Glögg.
The Lowdown: Tangy, tart berries are a Scandi favourite and Nordic Bakery has come up with an irresistible cranberry bun drizzled with white chocolate. Shaped in a simple crossover bow, the pastry is made with same dough as our cinnamon buns. Enjoy with a mug of hot chocolate.
Price: £2.80
Where: Locations here
