Get your skates on! For all the Michele Kwan’s and Johnny Weir’s out there, Ice Rink Canary Wharf is open every day except Christmas day, until 16th February. Depending on your skill level, glide or tumble your way across the ice for a session of icy-cool cardio that’ll leave you breathlessly festive and in dire need of a restoring spot of lunch. Roll off the ice and straight in to Tom’s Kitchen Canary Wharf for seasonal dishes served in a warm n’ cosy environment. I’m told highlights include the Seven Hour Confit Lamb or Truffled Macaroni Cheese, but if you’d like something a little more traditional you can get Roast Turkey and Christmas pud, which is available until Christmas Eve’s eve on the 23rd December.
Classic Christmas at The Dorchester
Christmas in London is all about tradition. Tis the season to dust off snugly jammies, find the juiciest turkey and follow the Michelin stars to the culinary promised land. Just as watching every variation of A Christmas Carol is a must in your X-Mas prep, this merry month of Advent Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester are hoping that their Festive Lunch Hour menu will have you cheering for Christmas morn with the enthusiasm of George Bailey and a belly-fulla-jelly like Kris Kringle himself – it should, Alain Ducasse has three Michelin stars. Available until 23rd December, Head Chef Jocelyn Herland has created a menu that includes wintry dishes, such as chestnut velouté, country bacon and Hereford snails; braised leg of wild boar with pumpkin, pear and endives; and the restaurant’s own take on the traditional Yule log.
The Festive Lunch Hour includes three courses, two glasses of wine, half a bottle of mineral water and coffee or tea for £65 per person.
Not up to cooking the big meal yourself? The restaurant is open on Christmas Day (and New Years Eve, too!)serving bespoke menus featuring fillet of Denbighshire venison Grand-Veneur with pumpkin, quince and chestnut; farmhouse vacherin with truffled salad; and farmhouse veal fillet with gratinated Swiss chards and tuber melanosporum.
The seven course Christmas Day lunch is priced at £295 per person, including wine pairings, and the eight course New Year’s Eve Dinner is priced at £440 per person (or £490 with wine pairings).
Merry Pubmas!
If a painless and stress-free Christmas dinner is top of your list this year and you’re around Maida Vale, head to The Truscott Arms for a slap up traditional dinner Santa would be proud of.
On Christmas Day The Truscott Arms open its doors for a eight-course repast, available for £60 per head or £95 with matching wines. Celebrate in seasonal style with a canapé selection on arrival, Saint Nectaire toasted soldier with black winter truffle; seared foie gras with caramelised endive, carrot purée, brioche & pistachio and native lobster with chowder, piquillo pepper and parsnip. Traditionalists can then gorge on the organic turkey with all the trimmings, the pre dessert, Christmas pudding and selection of British cheeses with shallot & raised chutney & crisp breads and sourdough which all follow.
Served from 2pm, the restaurant will remain open until 6pm. Booking is advised.
Ding Dong Merrily up High
Up for something a little different for your chrimbo celebratory meal? Put Santa’s sleigh to shame at Level 31, the sky-high space beneath Paramount restaurant and bar at the Centre Point summit. With a 24-hour license and a dancefloor just waiting for your elf booties, it’s a good shout for dinner and a nice place to rock around the Christmas tree.
Nibbles wise you can choose from set menus, food stations, bar food or canapés and the seasonal, modern European fare include the likes of roast sirloin of beef, saddle of lamb and whole lobster
Festive to a Tea
Afternoon Tea in The English Tea Room at Brown’s Hotel is about as British as British gets. As Christmas hurtles ever closer, take a break from last minute shopping for a spot of high tea with a joyful twist, all to the cheerful sound of the resident pianist playing Christmas carols. Festive Afternoon Tea is priced at £41.50 per person, £51.50 per person when served with a glass of Ruinart NV Champagne or £54.50 with a glass of Ruinart Rosé Champagne.
The Festive Afternoon Tea will be served from 12 noon – 6pm Monday to Thursday and from 12 noon – 6.30pm Friday to Sunday.