Mother’s Day is fast approaching but if you still haven’t booked anything for the celebration, here are some helpful ideas.
Sunday Roast at Smith’s Bar & Grill
For more classical mums preferring hearty meals Smith’s Bar & Grill has Sunday roasts with optional bottomless red wine Malbec or Cintila. The choices of roasts include more rare cuts such as 28-days matured chateaubriand and 35- days matured picanha along classics such as roasted poussin and lamb. The beef is grass fed for extra flavour and for higher animal welfare standards. Full review here.
The beautiful setting with flower baskets, straw lamp shades and floor to ceiling windows with plenty of light Smith’s Bar & Grill is a place to visit. And did I mention the Smith’s Bar and Grill overlooks the Paddington Basin.
Nikkei at Ayllu
For something different consider Nikkei cuisine at Ayllu. Although, Nikkei is still not as known even in London it’s one of my favourites cuisines. Nikkei means Japanese immigrant, it’s a fusion of Japanese techniques using Peruvian ingredients.
Think zesty ceviche, tacos filled with avocado, salmon or tuna, as well as an array of sashimi and nigiri.
Ayllu is sister restaurant of Smith’s Bar and Grill but it serves very different dishes except for the passion fruit and mango basque cheesecake, which they share. But that’s excellent news because the cheesecake is a must to try when you are there.
Ayllu offers complimentary desserts for mums on the 19th of March, which can be ordered with bottomless brunch for £37 or a la carte dishes.
Afternoon Tea in Kensington Hotel
It wouldn’t be a Mother’s Day without an afternoon tea. Doyle Collection Kensington Hotel is running their second series of 80 Days Around the World. The taste buds journey continues this time taking diners to Yemen, Singapore, Hong Kong and India.
Our favourites were onion bhaji from amuse bouche selection. Semolina yogurt cake from Yemen and black sesame choux from Hong Kong. The afternoon tea takes place in the beautiful Drawing Room with traditional English décor.
The Afternoon Tea is paired with teas by Rare Tea company and an optional glass of Perrier-Jouët or cocktails. There are four to choose from, just like the afternoon tea they are inspired by the 4 countries.
However, if you can’t decide opt in for a cocktail flight of one of each, in miniature version of course. Although, they were quite a generous size. Silk Road resembling a milkier version of Chai was especially memorable for my guest and I.
Tea Sessions at Whittard
Alternatively, to learn something new with a drink – teas and biscuits to be exact heritage tea company Whittard is running tea events for £20 till 19th March at Holmes Hotel to celebrate our mums.
Learn all about teas origin, brewing techniques and even make your own blend. Although I consider myself quite knowledgeable when it comes to teas, I learnt something knew there. There is a big difference between scented and flavoured teas.
Scented is a traditional technique of adding flavour to the tea. In the example of Green Jasmine tea the green tea leaves are covered in hundreds of fresh jasmine teas for six days, each day the flowers are replaced with new fresh ones.
The process allows the green tea leaves to absorb beautiful jasmine aroma. Vs flavoured where the oils are added onto the tea leaves.
At the end of the experience guests will also have a chance to mix their own tea using classics of Assam, Keemun, Jasmin Green, China Rose and Chai in their preferred proportions.
An expert will also recommend the best tea biscuit to accompany the personalised tea blend. To top it up guests also get to take their hand made tea home along a jute goodie bag (worth £39) with biscuits and brewing tea mug included.