What to do in London when it rains

29-06-2016 Local Black Bookbest things to do in London, city guide, London, London guide, rain, things to do in London, travel, what to do in london, what to do in London when it rains1 Comment

? It’s raining, it’s pouring… ?

But it’s no reason to stay in! Even in the rain, London’s quite an exciting city !

(and it’s just as well as it’s not exactly famous for its gorgeous weather anyway…)

So put your (rain) boots on and take a look below for a few ideas of what to do in London when it rains!

1. Invest in a new umbrella

Not only is it a matter of survival (no way this £1 Primark one is not going to survive the wind gusts!), but it’s also the perfect excuse to step back in time and visit London (and the world)’s only store specialising in umbrella retail.

What to do in London when it rains | Buy an umbrella at James Smith & Sons

Founded in 1830, James Smith & Sons offers a wide range of outstanding umbrellas, as well as repair service for them.

What to do in London when it rains: buy an umbrella at James Smith & Sons

A rain-themed Aladdin’s cave of sorts!

2. Go to the pub

The ultimate British fix when something goes wrong.

Your government just made a terribly stupid decision? Go to the pub, that’ll cheer you up!

Your football team got out of a major tournament? Go to the pub.

The weather’s so awful you can’t even…? Go. To. The. Pub.

There’s pints and comfort food, and comfy chairs and you can just hide away from the world for as long as you’d like.

God save the pubs!

There are many great pubs to choose from, but if it’s not too much of a trek, give Radicals & Victuallers a go. They have live sports & board games & mac’n’cheese and are a perfect rain-escape plan!

3. Have afternoon tea

You know what makes everything better? Cake.

And tea, and a couple of hours in a plush chair catching up with your favourite people.

Which is exactly why afternoon tea is perfect for rainy days.

Go to Little Nan’s vintage & funky tea at Sutton House or treat yourself to Cake Boy extraordinaire Eric Lanlard’s version at Palmcourt at the Parklane Hotel, sit down aaaaand relax!

4. Visit the Kew Gardens

Grim weather is one of the most depressing things there is.

But nothing loads of flowers can’t fix.

And there’s only one rain-prooved place for that: the Kew Gardens.

A rainy day is the perfect time to visit, because you’ll have the place almost to yourself and can truly take your time to discover Mother Nature’s most incredible creations!

Flower power!

5. Play the time away at Draughts

Draughts is London’s first board game café and a haven for game lovers.

With a huge library of games – 600 and counting! – as well as food and snacks, a range of local craft beers, ales, ciders, and wines, it’s a brilliant spot to stay dry and have fun!

Check & mate, weather man!

6. Close your eyes and pretend like you’re actually on the French Riviera

This Summer, Le Méridien Piccadilly is bringing Nice to London!

Their Terrace Bar & Grill, has been transformed into an idyllic coastal resort, complete with sun loungers, sun umbrellas, blossoming climbing plants, espadrilles, apéritif and even a pétanque field!

Le Méridien Piccadilly Summer Soirée | Cake + Whisky

Summer vibes regardless of the weather? Count me in! Read more

What’s your favourite thing to do in London when it rains? Any top tips?

Brunch at Dishoom

28-06-2016 Local Black Bookbacon, bacon naan roll, breakfast, brunch, Dishoom, eggs, Indian, Kings Cross, London, naan, recommendation, Restaurant, review1 Comment

I don’t usually give another chance to restaurants that disappoint the first time around but I made an exception for Dishoom.

Truth be told, after our last visit, I really wasn’t keen to go back. For me, it simply wasn’t worth the hype.

But many people told me that going for dinner was a mistake, and brunch was what Dishoom was all about.

And so, after hearing the same advice from quite a few foodie friends, I finally gave in and booked a table for breakfast at their dazzingly beautiful King’s Cross venue.

(yes, BOOK! Quite an improvement on the 30 min+ in the cold already!)

Once again, Dishoom signature decor, a mix of Bombay knick-knacks and vintage touches, took my breath away.

The carefully thought-out details and the smell of Chai…

The second you step in, you’re transported miles away from London and its rain into the heart of India’s cultural capital: Bombay, home of Bollywood and the famous Irani cafés Dishoom was inspired by.

But did the food measure up?

Considering it’s been in basically every ‘London’s best brunch’ list, we came with high expectations.

And having at heart to do as thourough a job as humanly possible, we covered the table in as many dishes as we could manage.

And here’s the good news. Some of it was very good indeed.

Top of the list being Dishoom’s famous Bacon Naan Roll.

Freshly baked tandoor naan, graced with a touch of cream cheese, chilli tomato jam and fresh herbs, and wrapped around rock-salt cured streaky bacon.

A Dishoom signature dish truly deserving of its accolades.

Not bad either were the Masala beans.

A massive portion for £1.5, with just enough warming chilli and a little sprinkle of fresh coriander, it is the perfect brunch side and anything but your usual baked beans.

Unfortunately, the rest of our selection wasn’t quite as successful.

Akuri – An Irani café staple of spicy scrambled eggs with onion and tomato, piled up alongside plump pau buns and served with grilled tomato.

A winner on paper, but while it tasted quite nice with a nice kick of green chilli and fresh coriander, the texture of the eggs was truly awful as they were dry, yet with plenty of liquid leaking out (presumably from the chopped vegetables not being pre-cooked).

Kejriwal (fried eggs on chilli cheese toast) was even more of a disappointment, as the inviting orange-yolked eggs were un-evenly cooked (one was runny and the other entirely cooked through) and so covered in cracked black pepper that it was impossible to taste anything else. Quite a shame, really.

And if the Chai was alright (not the best I’ve had, but not the worse either, and really quite helpful if you’re nursing a bit of a cold as I was that day), the Red grape & lemon wasn’t quite so. Too much lemon ruined the balance of the juice and brought out the unpleasant bitterness of grapes, instead of enhancing its natural sweetness.

So once again, Dishoom was quite a hit-or-miss sort of experience.

But if you stay right away from the fancy-looking options, and focus all your attention on the Bacon naan roll, it is actually quite a good brunch option!

Bacon, naan, chai. Sold.

Dishoom King’s Cross, 5 Stable St, London N1C 4AB – Book a table here

Do you give restaurants a second chance?

A meal of memories (+meeting Novak Djokovic ) at Jacob’s Creek Table

25-06-2016 Local Black Bookevent, Jacob Creek, Jacob Creek's Table, Jacob's Creek, London, Made by Moments, Novak Djokovic, Our Table, tennis, Wimbledon, wine, wine tasting1 Comment

Do you have a favourite recipe, or a dish that always reminds you of a special memory? Or maybe a meal that takes you back to your childhood, or a trip that changed you, or a significant event?

Australian wine brand Jacob’s Creek has teamed up with tennis champion and world number 1 Novak Djokovic to celebrate food and wine and the special memories that they can evoke.

For the launch of their new #madeby campain, Jacob’s Creek organised a very special dinner, hosted in Wimbledon by Novak himself and celebrity chef Lisa Faulkner.

So last week, we made our way to Wimbledon in the pouring rain and as soon as we arrived, we knew we were in for a very, very special night.

Long tables were layed in Wimbledon’s legendary All England Lawn Tennis Club, with beautiful colour-coordinated flower arrangements…

And of course, some of Jacob’s Creek very best wine!

We started the party in style with a taste of the brand’s two Chardonnays.

Classic on the left, Reserve on the right.

The later was my favourite.

Elegant, creamy and refined, it’s the perfect welcome drink.

We then moved things to the dinner table for a very special menu.

Each dish had been selected by top food bloggers, as well as hosts Lisa Faulkner and Novak Djokovic, and each triggered a very special food memory.

Delicious food and equally delightful stories? I couldn’t wait to get stuck in!

But this stunning Charcuterie & Cheese platter might have had something to do with that…

Parma ham, salami, N’Duja, creamy brie, a big wedge of blue cheese, thinly sliced Manchego…

It truly was a foodie’s (and We The Food Snobs‘) dream come true!

Scallops with crispy pancetta and pea puree.

A recreation of Not Another Mummy Blog‘s first wedding anniversary dinner and an absolute delight!

Served alongside Jacob’s Creek Reserve sauvignon Blanc ’14 (lovely with the scallops)

And just a touch of Jacob’s Creek Reserve Pinot Noir ’13 (the perfect pairing to any sharing platter)

Needless to say, it got the food memories flowing.

There were tales of fish finger sandwiches, Christmas dinners, pasta alla vongole and much more…

My story? It was all about meeting my boyfriend and baking the world’s best brownies…

Novak Djokovic also shared his favourite recipe: a delightful vegan lasagna, featuring zucchini, squash and heaps of pesto (which I totally failed to take any picture of).

Good thing Novak’s better than me when it comes to fulfilling his picture engagements ??

Besides Novak’s signature lasagna, mains also included Jacob’s Creek Executive Chef Veronica Zahra’s signature dish, Lamb cutlet with rocket, caramelised figs and balsamic reduction.

Cooked to pink perfection, it was the perfect nod to the Barossa Valley (the home of Jacob’s Creek) and paired amazingly with the brand’s flagship wine, the Reserve Barossa Shiraz.

And Lisa Faulkner’s favourite dish of all times, Tarragon chicken.

Creamy and incredibly fragrant, it’s basically love (and cream) on a plate.

All served with a double helping of super rich, delightfully indulgent potato dauphinoise.

And followed by the most amazing selection of puddings.

Classic Berry Pavlova.

An Aussie classic that’s impossible to resist!

A Mummy Too‘s devilish Lemon curd & white chocolate cheesecake creation.

Inspired by her tow favourite desserts and just as good as you’d expect.

And Sticky Toffee Pudding.

A (sticky) finger-licking good British classic (and Food Globin‘s favourite)!

And this caramel sauce… One spoonful was enough for it to become one of my most treasured food memories! (I had many more just to be sure).

Excellent food, delicious wine and conversation with fellow food nerds… Needless to say, it was a fantastic evening.

An experience I intend to re-enact very soon in my own home, and strongly encourage you to try out!

Gather a few friends, cover a table with food to be shared, open a couple of Jacob’s Creek finest wine… and let the food memories flow!

What’s your dearest food memory? Please share your stories in the comments, I’d love to read them!

Mexican corn salad

23-06-2016 Local Black Bookcorn, feta, food, gluten-free, healthy, Mexican, prawn, prawns, recipe, salad, street food, Tabasco1 Comment

Nothing says ‘summer’ better than a beautiful, colourful corn salad.

Yellow as the sun, and emblematic of so many cuisines around the world, corn is like a tiny piece of sunshine on a plate.

Having sworn to do everything I can think of to make the (actual) sun come and stay, corn salad has become a staple of mine those past few weeks.

Mexican corn salad | Cake + Whisky

It’s such a simple dish, but the combination of juicy, just charred corn kernels, tart lime and Tabasco dressing and creamy, crumbly feta is trully a magical one.

The version below, inspired by one served in the streets of Mexico, with quick pickled red onion, fiery jalapenos and beautifully sweet grilled prawns, is my favourite… and I’m sure you’ll love it too!

Mexican corn salad | Cake + Whisky

Streetfood Style Mexican Corn Salad with Grilled Prawns (serves 2)

Ingredients: 1 big can of corn (rinced and drained), 250g raw prawns, 1 lime, 1/2 fresh red chilli (finely diced), 1 tbsp garlic (fresh or dried), 1/2 red onion (diced finely), finely diced pickled jalapenos (quantity to taste), crumbled feta, green Tabasco to taste, chopped coriander, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper

1. Heat up a little bit of olive oil in a frying pan until it starts smoking. Throw in the corn kernels, and fry until slightly charred.

2. In the meantime, combine the diced red onion, pickled jalapenos, juice of 1/2 a lime and green Tabasco to taste in a big mixing bowl. Add in the grilled corn and the coriander and rectify the seasoning if needed.

3. In a second mixing bowl, combine the juice of 1/2 a lime, fresh red chilli, garlic, salt and pepper. Marinate for 5-10 min, then cook for a few minutes in a grill pan.

4. Sprinkle some crumbled feta on top of the corn salad, top with the prawns, then drizzle with a little big of olive oil and serve immediately.

Summer Soirée at Le Méridien Piccadilly

22-06-2016 Local Black Bookantipasti, bar, French, French Riviera, Green Park, Le Méridien, Le Méridien Piccadilly, London, Mayfair, Piccadilly, recommendation, Restaurant, review, Starwood, summer1 Comment

When it comes to summer holidays, you can’t beat the French Riviera.

With blue sea, blue sky, picturesque villages, quiet beaches and fantastic food, no wonder it’s been the playground of the rich & famous for so long!

However, no need to be rich or famous (or even to face the dreadful summer holiday airport check-in lines) to experience this little piece of Summer heaven, because Le Méridien Piccadilly is bringing Nice to London for the Summer!

Nod to the French origins of the brand, Le Méridien Piccadilly’s restaurant, Terrace Bar & Grill, has been transformed into an idyllic coastal resort.

Le Méridien Piccadilly Summer Soirée | Cake + Whisky

Complete with striped sun loungers, sun umbrellas, blossoming climbing plants, espadrilles and a spot of apéritif…

… and even a pétanque field!

The iconic French sport is a favourite at family gatherings and a classic beachside hobby.

The rules are really quite simple: you throw the small ball (the ‘cochonnet‘) first, and then it’s all about getting the big, metal balls as close as possible to it.

Whether you play in a tête-à-tête (one-on-one) or in teams, it’s always great fun and perfect to work up an appetite!

Which you’ll most definitely need to make the most of the antipasti menu, all inspired by classic Niçois dishes.

Beautiful Artichoke Barigoule with creamy aioli.

Mini pots of melt-in-the-mouth Daube Provençale with carrots and olives.

Pan Bagnat (a tuna-filled bun & Nice’s answer to burgers!) and Pissaladière mini Tarte Tatin.

Niçoise salad (of course).

And the cutest little macarons!

All washed down with icy glasses of Sifflet cocktails (martini Bianco, Champagne, mandarin syrup & citrus zest).

And a glass or two of crisp local wine (when in France…)

… or, get two birds with one stone & indulge your French fashion fix with the Cocktail Espadrilles.

The perfect summer drink + the perfect Summer shoes? Summer packing’s never been that easy!

Which means more time to soak in the sunshine of the French Riviera!

So gather friends, book a nice big table, put on your stripy Tees and enjoy the Summer vibes!

20 great recipes for a Summer Potluck

21-06-2016 Local Black Bookbarbecue, BBQ, party, party recipe, picnic, pot luck, recipe, recipes, round up, salad, salads, summer1 Comment

Summer is the perfect season to organise a potluck party.

If everyone makes a dish, it’s easier for everybody, right?

Well, it is. Up until the point when you have to decide what you’ll bring!

…and if you need a little help with that, the list below is just what you’ve been looking for!

Whether you said you’ll bring dessert or salad, and no matter what your cooking level is, there is something for everybody!

1. Guacamole

picture source

Everybody loves the guy/gal that brings guacamole. Simple as that.

And I won’t even make you the offence of linking to a recipe because nobody needs one.

What you do need is ripe avocadoes, loads of lemon juice, salt, pepper, Tabasco and everything else you might want to add.

2. Pimped-up hummus

You better practice your most mysterious smile because everybody’s gonna ask what you put in your hummus to make it taste that good (I won’t tell if you don’t).

Get the magic tips here. Want to take it a step further and make your own? Get the recipe here.

3. Tzatziki

This lighter version of the classic Greek tzatziki is ready in minute and the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats… And also delightful scooped up with soft, light pitta bread!

Get the recipe here.

4. Crispy bacon wrapped prunes

Sweet, salty and sticky all in one bite. If that’s not snack-fection, I don’t know what is.

Get the recipe here.

5. Radishes in soil à la Noma

For those times when your usual crudité platter simply won’t cut it and you need to take it up a notch.

Get the recipe here.

6. BLT salad

Ditch the bread & keep all the BLT goodies to turn the classic lunchtime sandwich into the best barbecue side there ever was.

Get the recipe here.

7. Tomato & feta crumble

Tomato crumble is a Summer supper game changer; the intense flavor of roasted tomatoes, combined with the slight sourness of feta and topped with a deliciously cheesy crumb-topping is simply impossible to resist.

Get the recipe here.

8. Hoisin watermelon salad

I am yet to try the duck part of this Gizzi Erskine recipe but watermelon being one of my favourite fruit, the salad has become a firm favourite and I make it any time I have an opportunity. Refreshing and satisfying, it’s a bit of a wild card that’ll be perfect to surprise your foodie friends.

Get the recipe here

9. Potatoes in foil with cheat’s tartare

picture source

Particularly appropriate for a BBQ get-together. Simply parboil the potatoes until just about tender, then wrap each one in aluminium foil and throw in/on the barbie together with the meat to reheat.

Cheat’s tartare is the perfect (and lazy!) accompaniment for it.

Get the recipe here

10. Tomato & pomegranate molasse salad

My favourite recipe from Queen of Persian cooking Sabrina Ghayour’s debut cookbook, Persiana. It only takes minutes to put together but packs in loads of flavours and everyone I’ve ever made it for LOVED it.

Get the recipe here

11. Bacon potato salad

You can’t beat a classic, but you sure can improve it (with bacon. Bacon improves everything.)

Get the recipe here.

12. Very Greek halloumi/chicken

Marinate your protein of choice in this fresh, vibrant marinade packed-full of Greek goodness before throwing it all on the BBQ for an instant Mamma Mia effect!

Get the recipe here.

13. Tomato & tapenade tart

Get the recipe here.

14. Cheese plate & fresh bread

Cheese and fresh bread are right up there on the list of things any host LOVE their guests to bring to a potluck party. An especially brilliant news if you’re not quite so comfortable behind a stove, have no time on the day or are simply obsessed with cheese! Don’t have the first clue about cheese? Here‘s a handy guide!

15. Whole baked camembert

Add a chilled glass of white wine of the side and there you have it: the ultimate indulgence!

Get the recipe here.

16. The world best brownies

The name says it all. #WorldBestBrownies

Get the recipe here.

17. Mojito ice lollies

Mojito ice lolly from The Ice Kitchen

Fresh, zingy, refreshing and the very best way to sneak more mojitos into your diet!

Get the recipe (from ice lollies mastermind Ice Kitchen) here.

18. Chocolate mousse

Unlimited chocolate mousse? Count me in! #thedream

Get then ultimate recipe here or make a fancy marbled version (recipe here)

19. Lemon & poppy seed cake

We all have that one friend who doesn’t like chocolate…

Get the recipe here.

20. A big batch cocktail

Because a party with good food is good, but one with good food AND drinks is better.

Many cocktails are easy to make big batches of… but this Raspberry Wine Spritzer is the prettiest of them all!

What’s your go-to recipe for a potluck? Any of the ones above you want to try next time?

Little Nan’s Afternoon Tea at Sutton House

20-06-2016 Local Black BookAfternoon Tea, cake, cocktail, cocktails, Dalston, Hackney, Little Nan's, London, National Trust, pop-up, recommendation, Restaurant, review, scones, Sutton House, teaLeave a comment

Nothing lifts rain-drenched spirits the way Afternoon Tea does.

Especially if said tea is of the tipsy variety and involves a bit of history and a lot of vintage crokery!

Which is just what Little Nan’s latest pop up is all about!

Hosted in Hackney’s Sutton House and taking place every Sunday starting on July 10th, Little Nan’s Afternoon Tea is the perfect mix of traditional and kitsch.

If the weather is nice you can have your tea served in the Tudor courtyard or the breakers yard and enjoy the sunshine.

But if the summer weather doesn’t quite work out the way Facebook might make you believe it does, the indoor Georgian tea-room is absolutely charming as well.

Like any self-respecting nan’s dining room, the place is full to the brim with vintage furniture, lace doilies, freshly cut flowers and the most impressive collection of china tea cups…

And an equally impressive collection of quirky teapots…

That Little Nan’s sneaky grandchildren use to serve their latest cocktail creations!

The perfect camouflage (and the number one way to improve on your Nan’s tea!)

With just a few twists on the classics, the Tea itself is delightfully retro and much more in line with what your Nan would serve…

Classic Cheddar cheese straws

Finger sandwiches

Egg & cress, ham & mustard, carrot & hummus, smoked salmon & cream cheese (the unquestionable winner of the lot), strawberry jam… It’s a sandwich lover’s paradise!

Beautifully golden home baked scones, served with clotted cream and the best raspberry jam (that we may or may not have fought over…)

Followed by a selection of seasonal pastries & cakes (Almond & orange cake + Chocolate Rocky Road on our visit, both absolutely delightful!)

Plus your choice of nutty Carrot cake or creamy Victoria Sponge…

And like at any grandma worthy of the name, you’ll definitely be encouraged to go back for seconds and thirds!

Grandma’s house vibes + tipsy tea = the perfect way to perk up to a rainy day!

Book Little Nan’s Cocktail Afternoon Tea

Find out more about Sutton House (a visit of which is included in Little Nan’s Cocktail Afternoon Tea ticket)

Eastern Mess

16-06-2016 Local Black Bookcardamom, coconut, dessert, Eton Mess, pudding, recipe, rosé, strawberry, sweet, vegan, vegetarianLeave a comment

Eton Mess might not be the prettiest of puddings (the clue is in the name) but it’s the ultimate Summer pud’.

Fresh, sweet, zingy, creamy… when done right, it’s pudding perfection.

The following recipe is a bit of an Eastern twist on the classic Eton Mess.

Boasting coconut, cardamom and rose syrup, it’s vibrant, refreshing and very deserving of its ‘Eastern Mess’ name!

Eastern Mess (serves 2)

Ingredients: 250g strawberries, 1 big meringue, 1 can coconut cream, seed of 1 green cardamom pod (crushed), rose syrup, a few sprigs of fresh mint

1. Scoop the ‘solid’ part of the coconut cream can into a big bowl, then whisk until it forms soft peaks, then whisk in the crushed cardamom seeds.

2. Wash, dry and chop the strawberries.

3. Crush the meringue into bite-sized bits.

(steps 1, 2 and 3 can be made in advance, just keep everything in the fridge until you’re ready to serve!)

4. Pile up the different ingredients into a glass cup, finishing up with a drizzle of rose syrup and a fresh mint sprig on top and serve immediately.

Brunch at The Modern Pantry

15-06-2016 Local Black Bookbreakfast, brownies, brunch, Clerkenwell, coffee, eggs, London, omelette, recommendation, Restaurant, review, The Modern Pantry, weekend4 Comments

Some weeks just seem endless.

You know the feeling. Minutes feel like hours, days feel like weeks and by Wednesday, the only thing on your mind is brunch.

And if your week is anything like mine, I know a place you’re going to love come brunch day…

Overlooking Clerkenwell’s iconic St John’s Square, Anna Hansen’s The Modern Pantry is any brunch-lover dream come true.

And with exposed bricks, loads of light, and just enough quirky, charming little details, it is a very dreamy little café indeed!

⬆⬆ Dining room goals right there ⬆⬆

(needless to say, we’ll do that the second we have a place of our own)

But first, coffee!

Black & stromy, with just a touch of condensed milk, Vietnamese-style, for him.

And a hot, steamy cup of jasmine tea for her.

With a few of The Modern Pantry’s iconic dishes on the side…

Sugar-cured New Caledonian prawn omelette, green chilli, spring onion, coriander, smoked chilli sambal and toast

Sweet, soft prawns, punchy sambal and a kick of green chilli, all blanketed by the dreamiest of omelette…

A dish definitely worth its reputation!

And more than worthy of a close-up, too!

Poached eggs with grilled chorizo, slow-roast tomatoes and plantain fritters.

A sunny take on the traditional English Breakfast and #yolkporn at its very best.

Brunch at The Modern Pantry | Cake + Whisky

All washed down with the appropriate amount of ‘liquid goodness’.

And followed by a little bit of pudding action…

Sour cherry brownie with Greek yoghurt cream, malt & chocolate crumb and berries.

Soft, gooey, sweet, sour, rich and fresh all at once, it’s a masterpiece of a dessert.

An absolute triumph, much like the rest of the meal.

And the #1 reason to put brunch at The Modern Pantry on the agenda for next weekend.

It’s a truly eggcelent brunch spot, bu it gets busy so make sure you book ahead.

The Modern Pantry, 47-48 St John’s Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 4JJ

7 best London restaurants for Father’s Day

14-06-2016 Local Black BookBar Kick, Bart's, Bunga Bunga, chocolate, cocktails, dad, Euros 2016, event, Father's Day, Flat iron, football, Il Porco, London, Pig & Butcher, Restaurants, roast, steak, whiskyLeave a comment

I’ve never been Daddy’s little girl but I’ll still take any opportunity to spoil my parents. After all, it’s only fair after all they’ve done and are still doing for me.

Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to treat the most important man in your life (sorry BF…).

There are billions of ways you can do that of course, but my favourite way to say thank you is with a nice meal out…

1. You can’t go wrong with a classic: Sunday roast at Pig & Butcher

A local favourite for all things British and nose-to-tail, The Pig & Butcher is Islington’s hot spot when it comes to Sunday roast and the perfect place to indulge in dad’s Sunday fave (and maybe a Bloody Mary or two…).

The Pig & Butcher, 80 Liverpool Rd, London N1 0QD

Menus + bookings

2. Too much month left at the end of the money? £10 steak at Flat Iron

Treating dad needn’t cost an arm and leg (+ steak dinner’s a bit of a no-brainer when it comes to spoiling the old man) and Flat Iron £10 steak ticks all the boxes: juicy steak cooked to perfection, for less money that you’d pay for pizza and a free ice cream cone to top it all… what more could you possibly want?

Flat Iron, several London locations

More info

3. Personalised Pies at Mr Fogg’s Tavern

Mr Fogg’s Tavern’s award-winning pies are becoming personal for Father’s Day. The Victorian inspired Pub, Gin Parlour and Salon in Covent Garden will be offering exclusive personalized pies for Dad. Perfect to make it a Father’s Day to remember!

Mr Fogg’s Tavern, 58 St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4EA

Bookings + Personalised pie orders

4. Have your pie & eat it too: Gentlemen’s Afternoon Tea at The Athenaeum

Credit Photo: Hot and Chilli

The Athenaeum Gentlemen’s afternoon tea was designed with those who prefer savoury to sweet treats in mind. Think wild boar sausage rolls, mini steak and ale pies, cheddar and bacon scones… and single malt scotch from the whisky menu!

The Athenaeum, 116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJ

More info, menu + bookings

5. Football extravaganza at Bar Kick

Credit Photo: Paul Winch-Furness

Does your dad live & breathe for the Euros football competition right now? Then he’ll love Bar Kick. Not only do they show live football, but there’s also table football tables, an extensive beer menu and a reasonably-priced Euros-inspired menu! The best place to cheer on Euros 2016-host France on Father’s Day!

Bar Kick, 127 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JE

More info + bookings

6. Father’s Day Il Porco Feast at Bunga Bunga

This Father’s Day, spend your dough on Dad at Battersea’s hit Italian-inspired restaurant, bar and karaoke joint Bunga Bunga. On Sunday, 19th June enjoy Il Porco, one of London’s most authentic Italian hog roasts with all the trimmings. Grab your knife and pork this Father’s Day and tuck in!

Bunga Bunga, 37 Battersea Bridge Road, London SW11 3BA

More info + bookings

7. Dad likes the finest things in life? Whisky + chocolate masterclass at Bart’s

Celebrate the day with Dad by sampling top notch whiskies from around the globe and indulge in specialty chocolate pairings from Chelsea’s hidden cocktail bar Barts. Barts’ world-class bar team will provide guests with an hour and a half of tip top tuition about the fine art of whiskey and chocolate pairing, talking through the tasting notes of each variety of whiskey and explaining in detail how each distinctly pairs with the rich flavours of the chocolate.

Barts, Chelsea Cloisters, 87 Sloane Avenue, London SW3 3DW

More info + bookings

How are you treating your dad this Father’s Day? Any fun plans?

Cake and Whisky

Life in London and other almost-grown-up tales

Menu

Month: June 2016

What to do in London when it rains

Brunch at Dishoom

A meal of memories (+meeting Novak Djokovic ) at Jacob’s Creek Table

Mexican corn salad

Summer Soirée at Le Méridien Piccadilly

20 great recipes for a Summer Potluck

Little Nan’s Afternoon Tea at Sutton House

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