It’s World Cocktail Day so London sees some exciting new drinks menus this weekend, along with the usual round up of dancing, dining and cultural highlights…
Words Helen Brown
Dinner at Charlotte’s Place
The latest venture from Charlotte’s Group – Charlotte’s Bistro and Charlotte’s W5 – is the prettiest new dining room in the heart of west London. Bright and airy, it’s the place to sample exquisite plates of food against beautiful views overlooking Ealing Common. The diverse menu is brimming with flavoursome dishes using local seasonal ingredients. Make a booking for dinner this weekend and try new season asparagus with duck egg and truffle to start, followed by the confit salmon main. place.charlottes.co.uk
Belvedere Sunset Sessions
Belvedere Vodka and Sky Garden have partnered to launch the ‘Belvedere Sunset Sessions.’ Each week from now until September, enjoy a sky high drinking experience accompanied by a lineup of the UK’s hottest musical talent. On offer are four new Belvedere spritz plus performances from the likes of Ray BLK and Raleigh Ritchie. skygarden.london
Berber & Q Hummus Celebration
This Saturday is National Hummus Day and who better to celebrate with than Berber & Q Shawarma Bar? For one day only they will take you from their Exmouth Market home to the streets of the Middle East. Head Chef, Josh Katz, has knocked up a menu of seven special dishes, in homage to this celebrated ingredient. Go all-in for a hummus blow out or mix and match with mezze. Specials include hummus topped with Ground sumac lamb, pine nuts and pomegranate. Turkish chilli and harissa. Shawarma Bar’s Iraqui hummus will also be on the menu, made with amba, aubergine and egg.berberandq.com
Around the World Cocktail Tasting at Sanderson
Sanderson’s Long Bar will be taking you on a unique ‘Around the World’ trip for World Cocktail Day. This weekend only, they are offering a themed cocktail flight and chocolate pairing. Begin your drink discovery and say bonjour to the light and fruity French Kir Royal. Following this will be a stopover in ancient Japan with the whiskey-based Hakushu Rob Roy. Your final destination is sunny Mexico, with a classic Margarita. This trio of cocktails is served with decadent salted caramel chocolate truffles.
Family Style Series at Patty & Bun
Not strictly this weekend but if you want to go you’ll have to book sharpish. Patty & Bun are joining with some of the world’s most exciting chefs for a unique series of one-off events. Guest chefs will take over the kitchen to showcase their skills, Family Style. First up is Michelin-starred Swede Niklas Ekstedt, who will be hosting on 15th and 16th May. At his Stockholm restaurant Ekstedt, Niklas has radically banished gas and electric from his cooking. He instead makes use of a fire pit, a wood fired oven and a wood stove. At Family Style, Niklas promises to bring something totally new to P&B Richmond Road. Expect dishes such as hay-flamed salmon, ember cooked beef and sour cream sorbetpattyandbun.co.uk
Wind in the Willows Reading with Afternoon Tea
Join screenwriter Julian Fellowes at the Haymarket Hotel as he celebrates the arrival of The Wind in the Willows in London this summer. He’ll whisk you away from the stunning Shooting Gallery on an adventure with Ratty, Mole and Toad. Following this is a Q&A on his latest adaptation from the much loved children’s classic. To accompany Julian’s reading, Haymarket Hotel has created a specially themed afternoon tea. Saturday 14th May at 3pmThe Wind in the Willows Afternoon Tea will also be available to purchase separately for the duration of the show’s run, from Friday 16th June to Saturday 9th September, at Haymarket Hotel’s Brumus.firmdalehotels.com
Urban Eden Gardens
This spring, Broadgate, neighbouring Shoreditch, are hosting Urban Eden, an interactive floral pop-up of three unique gardens. Each garden represents different corners of the globe and is hosting it’s own bespoke activities for visitors. Head to the Deliciously Ella garden this weekend to pick your own fresh herbs, edible flowers and vegetables. Enjoy a digital detox at the Japanese Garden or exercise your green fingers at the Tulip Patchwork Garden.Join Ella Mills and eco-chef Tom Hunt this Sunday for an exclusive three-course banquet. Freshly picked produce will be served straight from the garden and guests will be invited to explore the produce growing in the space.broadgate.co.uk
New Cocktails at Darwin & Wallace
Brand new for spring and in time for World Cocktail Day this Saturday is a fresh drinks menu from the Darwin & Wallace Group. The springtime ‘long & fresh’ serves include Sipsmith infused Summer Tonic and Rhubarb Julep. New ‘Short & to the point’ serves include the Daiquiri Picante – five year golden rum and a chilli spiced liqueur. This carefully curated menu will be available right across the group’s neighbourhood bars. Head to No 11 Pimlico Road, No 1 Duke Street, No 32 The Old Town and No 197 Chiswick Fire Station to try them out.
