A long weekend in London, on top of being shopping heaven, can really be a great foodie experience. That’s what I did two weeks ago, with the exact objective to experiment.
Day 1 Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
I had
All exceptional!!!!
The restaurant interior has been conceived as a subtle, elegant portrait – contemporary and innovative, yet mindful of tradition. The dining room features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, giving diners a view of the kitchen and its unique pulley system. Modelled after a version used by the royal court, the pulleys rotate the spit on an open-fire. The ivory-painted walls are decorated with custom-made porcelain wall sconces in the shape of antique jelly moulds and of course the uninterrupted views of Hyde Park brings the connection to history full circle.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
66 Knightsbridge,
London SW1X 7LA
www.dinnerbyheston.co.uk
Day 2 Aquavit
Aquavit London is a fresh, new concept that combines inspired signature dishes with sophisticated design, all in a uniquely Nordic style. Situated in the recently re-developed St James’s Market in central London.
Guests at Aquavit London can enjoy a smörgåsbord of small sharing plates that celebrates the Nordic region’s traditional seafood dishes, including Shrimp Skagen, Herrings, Gravlax, and Vendace roe. The menu will also offer starters such as Venison tartare with wild blueberries, lingonberries and juniper as well as main courses including Turbot and Swedish meatballs.
Furthermore, Aquavit London offer guests to indulge in the Swedish tradition of fika throughout the day with coffee from Johan & Nyström and freshly-baked cinnamon rolls. The restaurant also serves a wonderful array of both contemporary and traditional Nordic breakfast dishes.
The environment: celebrated Nordic designers in a welcoming, informal environment. Overseen by the design studio of Swedish-born Martin Brudnizki.
Notable designs are silverware from Georg Jensen, wall-mounted textile designed by Olafur Eliasson, furnishings by Svensk Tenn as well as the stunning uniforms by Ida Sjöstedt.
I had
Herrings Glassblower, Mustard, Wild garlic and Smoked eel, charred spring cabbage. All washed down with aquavit, for which they have a big menu.
Aquavit TEL: +44 (0)20 7024 9848- St James’s Market, 1 Carlton street, London SW1Y 4QQ
Day 3 Wright Brothers Borough Market
Super informal inside Borough Market, it is a fish and oysters heaven. See the menu. I always have oysters and steamed crab. The fish soup is great as well. Wine selection good. Service friendly and quick, but you need to book in advance as it is always full, particularly on Saturday whan market is on. I adore this place!
Ridding smoked mackerel pâté 8.50
Fish soup, rouille, Gruyère & croutons 8.90
Devilled whitebait, tartare sauce 8.90
Octopus carpaccio, new potatoes, plum tomatoes, lemon & soy dressing 9.75
Severn & Wye smoked Var salmon 11.95
Shell-on Atlantic prawns half pint 11.50/ pint 18.50
Dressed Devon crab 18.50
St. Austell Bay mussels, white wine, shallots & parsley 10.00/17.00
Wright Brothers fish pie 18.50
Beef, Guinness & oyster pie
OYSTERS
Carlingford Lough, Co. Louth, Ireland 18.50 (6) 37.00 (12)
Lindisfarne, Northumberland, England 17.00 (6) 34.00 (12)
Jersey Rocks, Royal Bay, England 17.00 (6) 34.00 (12)
Morecambe Bay, Walney Island, England 17.50 (6) 35.00 (12)
Dungarvan, Waterford, Ireland 18.00 (6) 36.00 (12)
Spéciales de Claire, Île d’Oléron, France 19.00 (6) 38.00 (12)
Gillardeau Spéciale, Île d’Oléron, France 26.00 (6) 52.00 (12)
DRESSED OYSTERS
Rockefeller (3) 10.00
Japanese (3) 9.75
New Orleans (3) 10.00
Spanish (3) 10.00
Oyster shooter (1 oyster) 5.50
11 Stoney Street, Borough Market, London SE1 9AD