Let’s face it, it’s cold and getting colder outside, so salad is firmly off the menu, while warming, hearty and altogether stodgier grub is back on. Yay! We are all in full Christmas mode, where frankly, every calorie is a delicious one.
Here is a list of our favourite heart-warming foods and where you and your date can fill your bellies in London:
Tartiflette:
Where? Coq d’Argent
What? This indulgent French recipe is a real winter warmer. Coq d’Argent in the heart of the city has transformed its outdoor terrace into an authentic French chalet, complete with furry blankets to keep you warm, cute miniature polar bears in snow globe-style jars and vintage skis. They are serving up this delicious cheesy potato bake, complete with Reblochon cheese, lardons and onions, alongside other festive favourites like fondue. Hot cocktails, including mulled wine and hot toddies are also the order of the day. Delicious!
Roast dinner:
Where? The Lodge Balham
What? This South London pop-up restaurant, located near Balham station, will be serving Alpine fare from breakfast through until dinner, on Tuesdays until Sundays. Run by pop-up entrepreneur Jimmy Garcia, highlights include the ‘slow down Sunday dinner’, where you can pre-order a whole roast lamb shoulder, pork shoulder or venison haunch, with all the trimmings. Brands on-board include Neal’s Yard Dairy, which will be supplying cheese for fondues, Courchevel and Cobble Lane Cured, which will provide cured meats and gamekeeper Rick Easton who will be supplying wild game hunted himself. You can spend the whole afternoon in the cosy surroundings of the authentic mountain lodge, or alfresco in the space outside covered in a blanket.
Fondue:
Where? Forza Win
What? This is a hot, steamy and cheesy event held in Peckham. Each night guests sit down to five courses of Italian classics, including Porcini Arancini, Polpette, squashes, hams and all sorts of other wintery joy. This is topped off by a great communal pot of fonduta (Italian fondue) for the ultimate dipping and dunking experience. A fully natural Italian wine list accompanies the menu. The events run from Thursdays to Sundays until December 20 and are £30, including a (hot!) aperitvo, so get booking your tickets!
Turkey:
Where? Dirty Bone
What? If you can’t wait until Christmas Day for your annual Turkey lunch, take you date to Dirty Bones for an alternative take on Christmas food with a turkey hot dog! The Turkey Dog is a turkey and stuffing sausage cooked in red wine gravy and topped off with cranberry puree, stuffing, buttered greens and crispy potatoes. For dessert we like the sound of Dirty Bones S’mores, soaked in bourbon and set on fire to melt the marshmallows. Drinks include the Dirty Santa cocktail, with Finlandia vodka, Velvet Falernum liquer, fresh ginger, blueberries and vanilla and cinnamon infused maple syrup.
Game:
Where? Rabbit
What? This new Chelsea eaterie set up by the Gladwin brothers celebrates British wild food. Kick your meal off with a Christmas Martini, steeped in spices before tucking into their dishes on their extensive menu, which includes rabbit ravioli, partridge, venison or calves liver. They also claim to be serving the capital’s best mince pie, using their grandmother’s own recipe, which uses several interesting ingredients like apple brandy and veal suet.
Will you be going on a hearty food date this December?
Are there other places you can recommend? Tell us @lovestruck
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