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St Martin’s Courtyard Food and Flowers Festival

by Andrew on May 7, 2013 in Tasting Events/Shows with No comments

st martins courtyard
St Martin’s Courtyard will pay tribute to the heritage and future of Covent Garden this summer with a festival celebrating food and flowers.

On Saturday 13 July between 12 noon and 5pm, all six international restaurants will serve unique dishes and drinks with a floral theme. Flowers look beautiful but can also taste great, from the peppery taste of a nasturtium, to a sweetness of a hibiscus and the more familiar flavour of rose.

Cantina Laredo, the modern Mexican in Covent Garden, will be in full bloom, bringing the fiesta to the St Martin’s Courtyard Food and Flowers Festival. Visit Cantina Laredo’s pop-up bar in the courtyard where they will be giving away 2,000 limited edition Casa Ambar Hibiscus Margaritas. Guaranteed to make your taste buds blossom, this fragrant floral concoction is made using home-made syrup infused with tropical hibiscus flower, boutique Casa Ambar Blanco 100% Blue Agave tequila, Cointreau and freshly squeezed lime. Enjoy free samples of Cantina Laredo’s signature dishes their Top Shelf Guacamole, prepared before your eyes, as well as delicious signature dishes. The special Casa Ambar Hibiscus Margarita will be available for half price when you dine in the restaurant on 13 July.

Inside the restaurant, Cantina Laredo will be serving a specially created Squash Blossom dish (also known as zucchini flower) stuffed with feta cheese and fresh herbs, coated and fried in a light batter with a drizzle of sweet and spicy chilli honey.

Suda Thai will be serving ‘Chor-muang’, steamed Thai dumplings handcrafted into a flower shape, from a Bangkok style street food cart in the courtyard. Don’t miss the ‘Butterfly Kiss’ cocktails garnished with a viola.

Visit Italian enoteca Dalla Terra for a floral notes wine tasting in the courtyard, Bill’s for flower cupcakes or Dishoom for a rose and cardamom lassi. Jamie’s Italian will also create a special floral dish exclusively for the festival.

The courtyard will be dressed with a fabulous floral installation and The Covent Garden Academy of Flowers will create a spectacular banquet table with a full spread made entirely from flowers which will be displayed in the courtyard. Displays of floral prints will adorn the windows of the international flagships and boutiques.

Covent Garden was traditionally the home of the Flower Market (made famous by Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady) and is now a renowned foodie destination. St Martin’s Courtyard is shopping and dining destination in the heart of Covent Garden, a must-visit for shopping, style and restaurants.

www.stmartinscourtyard.co.uk
For live updates follow @smccoventgarden on twitter.


Le Drunch

by Andrew on March 8, 2013 in Eating Out with No comments

maille_le_drunch‘Le Drunch’ is the latest foodie trend emerging from the culinary capital of Paris. The institution of Brunch has now found itself a new rival as more Parisians are choosing to eat later at the weekend, at a time that sits between lunch and dinner. Commonly known as “Le Drunch”, this new dining occasion is being enjoyed across the city, both in bistros and Parisian homes.

This Spring, premium French brand Maille will introduce Le Drunch to London.

Championed by two Michelin-starred Chef HélèneDarroze, Maille will be serving an exclusive Le Drunch menu at the Maille Boutique in Spitalfields Market from 15th-24th March.

Created exclusively for Maille, Darroze’s Le Drunch menu has been designed for those wanting to share delicious French-inspired cuisine that is easy to re-create at home.

Described by Time Out Paris as ‘a lunch-dinner hybrid’, Le Drunch is the perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying delicious dishes with family and friends. From today, food lovers across London can book one of a handful of exclusive sittings where they can experience Le Drunch, courtesy of Maille.

HélèneDarroze, ambassador for Maille’s Le Drunch said

“As a chef and mother working in Paris, I have noticed a trend towards people enjoying a Le Drunch style of dining. Dining is an important part of Parisian culture, and meals have typically been held at traditional times, so enjoying a late afternoon Le Drunch with family and friends over the weekend is a new, increasingly popular occasion.”

Food lovers can now book a Le Drunch session by visiting www.maille.co.uk. Sittings are available between 3pm-6pm for a maximum of four people. All six dishes created by HélèneDarroze will be available to sample.

Alongside serving Le Drunch, visitors to the Maille Boutique will have the opportunity to sample and buy Maille’s extensive range of mustards, condiments and sauces. Taking inspiration from the established boutiques in Paris and Dijon, visitors will be able to take home exclusive flavours including a fresh Black Truffle mustard, served straight from the Maille mustard pump.

Britain’s First Calorie-Neutral Restaurant

by Andrew on March 6, 2013 in Taste with No comments

Steam: Britain's First Calorie-Neutral Restaurant

To celebrate its steam-cooking appliances, next week Miele launches Britain’s first calorie-neutral restaurant. Totally free to dine and open for one day only in Covent Garden, London, Steam will ensure diners offset their calorie footprint! How? As well as enjoying delicious steamed dishes created by award-winning chef Frederick Forster, guests will be able to explore exciting and innovative ways to burn calories, without compromising on taste.

Britain’s First Calorie-Neutral Restaurant: Wednesday 13th March 2013

Sitting times:
12.00 – 13.30
12.30 – 14.00
18.30 – 20.00
19.00 – 20.30

NB you must be available to attend the entire dining sitting to achieve the truly calorie neutral effect

Where? 5-7 Grape Street, London, WC2H 8DW

How to get tickets: Free tickets are limited to two per person. To apply, send us your name, the name of your plus one, your contact details and preferred sitting to: steam@frankpr.it

Berry Bros. & Rudd Bar Opens

by Andrew on November 1, 2012 in In the Press with No comments

One of the UK’s most treasured and iconic venues, the Royal Albert Hall, is delighted to announce the opening of its new bar in partnership with Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant, established in the 17th century, Berry Bros. & Rudd. The elegant and sophisticated Berry Bros. & Rudd No.3 Bar offers guests chic glamour and a distinctive experience in the iconic splendour of the world famous performance venue.

With a relaxed and convivial ambience, the bar specialises in a great selection of Berry Bros. & Rudd wines and spirits as well as an excellent list of No. 3 Gin and classic cocktails which will be available to the Hall’s annual 1.5 million visitors. The menu, from the Hall’s in-house caterers “rhubarb” features delicious food including sharing boards of Spanish charcuterie and Hamish Johnston cheese, freshly handmade salads, smoked salmon blinis and wholesome sandwiches. “rhubarb” will manage the daily operations in the bar whilst ensuring that the quality and service is always excellent.

As a charity, the Hall seeks to advance the world famous Grade 1 listed building and provide maximum public benefit and this contemporary yet classic public bar, in one of its renovated downstairs foyers, contributes to its continued improvement for future generations.

Jasper Hope, Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Albert Hall, said Berry Bros. & Rudd Bar Opens

Simon Berry, Chairman at Berry Bros. & Rudd, said

“We were surprised and delighted when we were invited by the management of the Royal Albert Hall to open a bar. We have been supplying the Hall with its wine for 18 months or so as well as a few of our spirits, including No. 3 Gin, and the King’s Ginger liqueur had also been selected to go into their bars and restaurants. The relationship fits very well and the bar is not only a bar, but one of the iconic Arena bars. Whatever your taste in music or entertainment, I am sure that we can satisfy your taste for something to drink.”

Over 314 years ago, Berry Bros. & Rudd opened its shop at 3 St James’s Street, opposite St James’s Palace, where it still stands today. Members of the Berry and Rudd families continue to own and manage the family-run wine merchant, providing the closest link between those make the wine and those who drink it.

Located on the Basement level, the Berry Bros. & Rudd No.3 Bar offers food and drinks two hours before every performance, in the interval and for select concerts the bar will also be open post-show.

The Berkeley Launches Pret-a-Portea Collection

by Andrew on October 30, 2012 in Eating Out with 1 Comment

berkeley pret a porteaSponge cakes, ginger biscuits and macaroons are all set for the annual couture makeover inspired by the world’s top fashion designers such as Manolo Blahnik, Prada and Lanvin, as The Berkeley in Knightsbridge launches today its new Winter 2012/ 2013 Prêt-à-Portea collection. A firm date in every fashionista’s diary, Prêt-à-Portea is designed to add a creative twist to the classic elements of the traditional English afternoon tea with cakes and pastries resembling the latest catwalk designs for the style conscious. Prêt-à-Portea has become a-must visit location on the London style map.

The Berkeley Pret-a-Portea includes fashionista delectables such as Yves Saint Laurent’s “Cabas Chyc” forest green Victoria sponge cake handbag and Giambattista Valli red macaroon dress with rose ganache and lavish chocolate ruffles. With his trendsetting vision Marc Jacobs’ oversized double breasted chocolate biscuit jacket with show stopping sparkly pink icing promises to bring that all-important magic to this winter’s party season.

Prepping up for winter with a shocking pop of colour, Fendi’s maple and ginger ankle boot biscuit with yellow and black icing guarantees to lift spirits. Diane Von Furstenberg’s pink lady mousse and kalamancy cremeux topped with playful interlocking puzzles brings a hint of humor and with this season’s coveted psychedelic trend, Prada’s nougatine and beriolette mousse with geometric pattern transports us back to the seventies.

The Burberry trench is making a return on the afternoon tea stand as a layered praline, dulcey cream and chocolate mousse topped with a stylish umbrella, an accessory no one should leave the house without this fall.

Berkeley Pret-a-Portea 2012/13 Menu
Manolo Blahnik “Neurotica” pink polk a dot cake pumps with gianduja cream.
Fashionista’s favourite Yves Saint Laurent “Cabas Chyc” forest green Victoria sponge cake handbag
Sell-out Fendi maple and ginger ankle boot biscuit with yellow and black icing
Marc Jacobs double breasted chocolate biscuit blazer with show stopping sparkly pink icing
Lanvin chocolate and orange mousse topped with mouth-watering French meringue
Diane Von Furstenberg pink lady apple mousse and kalamancy cremeux topped with playful interlocking sugar puzzles.
Giambattista Valli red macaroon with rose ganache and lavish chocolate ruffles
Red-carpet favourite Prada nougatine and beriolette mousse with geometric pattern
Burberry Prorsum layered praline, dulcey cream and chocolate mousse trench coat topped with stylish violet umbrella

Prêt-à-Portea is served in The Caramel Room at The Berkeley from 1-6pm every day priced at £39 per person. (£49 including a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne, or alternatively for the fashion conscious, £55 per person including a glass of couture champagne)

To make a reservation for Prêt-à-Portea call 020 7235 6000 or visit www.the-berkeley.co.uk

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