By Felicity Carter
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 and Chelsea in Bloom are in full swing until the 26th of September, and to celebrate, here’s a roundup of the best floral-inspired food and drink to devour in ode of this beloved show.
The Corinthia
The Corinthia is known for their lobby floral displays that reflect London’s activities, and so, in keeping with this, they’ve decorated the space with jewel tone flowers and plants in the spirit of Victorian curiosities. Featuring a combination of classic flowers found in arrangements in the Victorian era – think roses, lilies, hydrangeas, and dahlias, and these have been styled with a variety ferns and orchids, all highly sought-after plants at the time. Waft through the lobby and enjoy one of their infamous afternoon teas, or visit Tom Kerridge’s Grill.
Rabbit
Celebrated British restaurant, Rabbit by the Gladwin Brothers, which is located on the Kings Road have partnered with Double Dutch and Hendricks to launch a bespoke menu in a celebration of Britishness. The set menu price is £28 for four-courses and a cocktail for lunch with an a la carte menu available for dinner, as well as a seasonal cocktail. Expect savoury dishes such south coast scallop and wild boar ragu, and puddings including salted caramel chocolate torte and cherry pastille. Each dish has been perfectly matched with a cocktail menu featuring Hendricks gin and Double Dutch tonic, with flavour pairing at the heart of each drink.
Address: 172 King’s Rd, London SW3 4UP
The Athenaeum
For a quintessential afternoon tea with a floral twist visit, the five-star hotel, The Athenaeum. The luxury establishment is putting on the Chelsea Flower Show Afternoon Tea which runs until 26th September. Their Head Pastry Chef, Sergei has created a beautifully bespoke tea that features super sweet floral cakes such as the chocolate and blackberry ‘Pink Hydrangea’ and mango and passionfruit ‘Sunflower’. One that’s not to be missed.
Address: 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ
Sloane Place Hotel
Recently opened boutique hotel, Sloane Place, is celebrating the CFS with a whole host of floral-inspired cocktails. Taking inspiration from this year’s Chelsea in Bloom, the theme of ‘Extraordinary Voyages’ sees their mixology team create fragrant, seasonal drinks for September from Riviera Afternoon, house-infused violet lavender Sipsmith gin, Italicus, lemon to a Provençale Spritz with Sipsmith London dry gin, lavender syrup, lemon, topped with Gusbourne sparkling wine.
Address: 62 Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, London SW1W 8BP
The Lanesborough
The glamorous London neighbourhood of Belgravia is not one to let floral festivities pass by, and so, we see the return of ‘Belgravia in Bloom’ week, with over 20 shops and restaurants getting involved. The theme for this year is ‘Floral Playground’ and will involve a series of beautiful floral installations including unique displays and experiences for visitors to discover. The Lanesborough Hotel on Hyde Park Corner is setting the bar high with its special edition Belgravia Bloom cocktail – a floral concoction of St Germain elderflower liqueur and Belvedere vodka with grapefruit sherbet, raspberries and coconut water, and this accompanies its newly-relaunched Peggy Porschen Afternoon Tea.
Address: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
Dalloway Terrace
In ode to both the Chelsea Flower Show and London Fashion Week, Dalloway Terrace home to an ombré effect installation by Early Hours floral designers that’s inspired by Olivia Rubin’s colourful designs and Lillet’s striking red. General Manager of Dalloway Terrace, Giovanni Spezziga worked closely with the Lillet team to create a series of playful cocktails, from the Lillet signature spritz The Olivia, made with Lillet Blanc and London Essence Tonic, to the Rosalie with Lillet Rose, Mitolo framboise, rose water and rose syrup.
16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN
Daphne’s
Daphne’s has not only have partnered with distinguished designer, Fiona Leahy, to create an enchanting tablescape takeover on their terrace especially for the flower show, their bar team has worked alongside Malfy Gin to create a new menu of tipples, including the Aromatico, featuring a blend of Malfy Gin Rosa, orange bitters and aromatic tonic, and the Leggero with Malfy Gin Lemon, lemon juice, lemonade and bitter lemon.
Address: 112 Draycott Avenue London SW3 3AE
