There’s so much to celebrate during the month of March including the arrival of Spring and Mother’s Day. With so much on, our pages are simply bursting with new restaurant openings and experiences from a glamorous new cocktail bar and late-night lounge with sweeping views of London at The Standard, to an Espresso Martini kit that will have you crafting the smoothest, caffeinated cocktail – here’s the Luxe List March 2022.
New Spring Menu at The Ivy St. John’s Wood
To mark the official start of Spring on Sunday 20th March, The Ivy St. John’s Wood have launched a gorgeous new menu. Starters will include Garden Pea & Nettle Soup (£6.95) and Grilled Asparagus with Szechuan mayonnaise, capers, flaked almonds, quail’s egg and watercress (£8.50), while you’ll also find you new additions in the steaks section to reflect the changing season. While the Chocolate Bombe is a dessert staple at The Ivy, those craving something sweet will love the Black Bee Honey and White Chocolate Cheesecake (£9.25), which features UK-based Black Bee
Honey, and comes served with a delicious mango sorbet, honeycomb and edible flowers! Meanwhile, there’s further treats to look forward to for Easter with the The Easter Nest (£9.95) a decadent combo of dark and white chocolate mousse, accompanied by Kataifi pastry, chocolate sponge and lemon balm. Diners will be able to sample this delight for Easter weekend only from Friday, 15 to Monday, 18 April.
The Langham’s New Afternoon Tea Collection
A special treat awaits at The Langham – their delightful new Afternoon Tea Collection. Being served in Palm Court and inspired by the nation’s favourite biscuits, you can expect interpretations of classics like the Crème de la Crème reimagining of a Custard Cream with a dulcey chocolate shell, intense Madagascan vanilla cream, caramel cake, and éclat, as well as The Pink Wafer and the Fancy a Fondant? Savoury offerings will compliment the sweet treats, while guests can add on COPENHAGEN Organic sparkling tea (additional £10), or add a glass of English sparkling wine from Gusbourne for £15per person or a glass of Taittinger Brut Reserve for £21 per person.
Provisions Hackney – NEW
We’ve long been a fan of North London cheese and wine shop Provisions, so we were excited when they announced the opening of their new shop in Hackney, happening later this month. The East London concept will showcase Provision’s classics, alongside new deli products and the much anticipated daily fresh sandwich menu curated by Chef Maximilien Truel (ex-Pollen Street Social and Frenchie). The sandwich menu will see a new special each month alongside two classics, one signature and one vegetarian. The ingredients will mostly be taken from the premium products that are on display. The meaty sandwich option will use sourdough bread with miso butter, mushroom, pesto, coppa, melted Comté and pickles, whilst the vegetarian sandwich will be composed of a flatbread with homemade falafels, marinated pepper, fermented spinach, aubergine, caviar, lemony yoghurt and herbs. It’s a bigger space than the original shop on Holloway Road – with a large downstairs space that will be used for supper clubs at a 12-seater Chef’s Table (that’ll be launching in September) as well as wine tastings and more events!
Balthazar’s New Floral Installation
Balthazar have launched their gorgeous Monet-inspired French themed floral installation Le Printemps in partnership with Grey Goose Vodka, St-Germain and Fever Tree. Look out for gorgeous new Grey Goose spritz cocktails on the menu to keep you cool as the weather heats up. There’ll also be live Parisian jazz performances on various dates throughout April including on Mother’s Day on Sunday 27th March and a pop-up flower shop! Check out the full details here.
Six By Nico Manchester – New Menu
The “six” of Six by Nico refers to the six-course tasting menu while “Nico” is the award-winning Scottish-Italian chef and owner, Nico Simeone. The first Six By Nico was lauded in Glasgow’s foodie district Finnieston and later, Edinburgh, Belfast, Liverpool, London and Manchester. His new menu at Spring Garden’s is inspired by Roman traditions. From undiscovered recipes to the use of ancient ingredients that are widely used in the modern world, there is something for everyone in the next themed menu, which runs from Tuesday 15th March to Sunday 24th April. The immersive menu features dishes such as white asparagus, crispy duck egg with hazelnut and brown butter, to an indulgent ricotta cheese mousse. Chef Simeone says, “Ancient Roman cuisine featured a diverse array of unusual dishes, strange food items, and unconventional cooking experiments, and we hope that our interpretation will allow our guests to enjoy the flavours. . . of ancient Roman cuisine today”. The six-course menu starts at £32 per person, with the option to add a selected wine and specialist drinks pairing. Check out their website for more information and for bookings.
Sweeties at Standard London – NEW
Sweeties is a glamorous new cocktail bar and late-night lounge bringing innovative drinks and sweeping views of London from the top of The Standard. The 1970s Hollywood-inspired interiors are Instagram-worthy with ochre velvet sofas, ruched leather banquettes, mirrored tables and a six-foot antique phallic sculpture. Not only is it picture-perfect but they have a selection of “naturally mood-boosting” cocktails created by The Standard in collaboration with award-winning mixologists, Jack Sotti and Todd Austin. The cocktail menu will be centred around a blend of feel-good ingredients and energising adaptogens and nootropics. Try the ‘Pick Me Up’ made with a blend of 8 adaptogenic mushrooms, brown vodka, buttery cacao and coffee, or the vivid blue ‘Crystal Healing’ made with spirulina, pepper dulse seaweed distillate, bergamot, and electrolyte-rich coconut ice. If that sounds like it’s enough to get your head spinning, most cocktails will also be available in non-alcoholic versions. Enjoy drinks at sunset or dance the night away with an exciting line-up of international DJs playing expansive classic and contemporary sounds on a custom-made sound system. Sweeties is open from 5 pm on Wednesday to Saturday each week and reservations can be made online.
Mildreds – New Location
Vegetarian institution Mildreds has opened a new plant-based restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden, St Martin’s Lane. Since its first opening in Soho in 1988, Mildreds has pioneered the plant-based scene in London with its fresh, vibrant and innovative dishes – even finding success with omnivores. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, Mildreds offers a modern and relaxed dining experience. The new St Martin’s Lane location has been designed with a fresh, bold colour palette, contemporary lighting and one-of-a-kind modern and abstract art throughout. The site is split across two floors and serves 110-covers, so you don’t have to worry too much about getting a table. Customers visiting the new restaurant will enjoy Mildred’s iconic menu featuring an array of small plates, mains, burgers and desserts as well as a new Spring menu with a range of dishes to take you from day to night, packed with flavour. Desserts should not be missed with indulgent vegan sweet treats and to drink, there’s a selection of homemade blends, smoothies, mocktails and cocktails.
Distillery Bankside’s Female DJ Series
For this year’s International Women’s Day, The Distillery Bankside at Hilton London Bankside is partnering with the female-owned DJ-booking app, Books: Music In A Click to host a free-to-attend female-led DJ series in support of women in the music industry. Female powerhouse duo DJ Lara Fraser and Actor and Broadcaster Laura Pradelska ‘The Lallas’ will kick off the series on Tuesday 8th March with a live set from 9pm. There will be a further three sets throughout March, each hosted by a female DJ. The Distillery Bankside is located on the site of Stevenson & Howell’s Fragrance Factory, which distilled essential oils and manufactured essences, flavourings and garnishes and pays homage to its heritage by serving signature cocktails using homemade syrups, aromatics, infusions and bitters, all handcrafted by the bar’s expert bartenders. There are also over 100 different gins to choose from as well as a range of wines, craft beer and food – which really is music to our ears.
Kahani Bottomless Brunch with Free-flowing Prosecco
You know how much we love a bottomless brunch and if you’re on the hunt for your next booking, look no further than the high-class Indian restaurant Kahani, just off Sloane Square. The bottomless brunch comes with Prosecco and three courses of authentic Indian dishes for £55. You’ll experience the magic of Britain’s finest seasonal ingredients, brought to life with heady spices and exquisite culinary techniques. From spiced chickpeas with a mint and tamarind chutney and tandoori chicken to keema naan with smoked tomato chutney – the whole menu is mouth-wateringly Moorish. And for pudding, if you can squeeze it in, is carrot fudge served with a vanilla ice cream. The booking is for two hours so you’ll no doubt be leaving the restaurant feeling buzzed and with a stomach full of good food.
Upstairs at Trinity
Celebrated chef Adam Byatt’s restaurant Upstairs at Trinity is offering a gorgeous special menu on Sunday 27th March. Priced at £50 per person, the delicious menu features English asparagus with warm semi smoked salmon and a soft pheasant egg, followed by a herb crusted rack of lamb and warm polenta cake. The menu is available for one day only, book here.
Selfridges In-store Wellbeing & Retail Therapy Project
In keeping with its 2022 creative theme Super Futures, Selfridges has launched a well-being project, Superself, offering online and offline shoppers the opportunity for “self-discovery” through personal innovations and self-care projects. Customers will be invited to try a number of therapeutic experiences including a mindfulness painting workshop in partnership with Creative Society Manchester at Selfridges Exchange Square on Wednesday 9th March. The mindfulness painting workshop is designed to help you de-stress and you’ll leave this self-care session with your hand-painted artwork and a smoothie of your choice. There are also workout classes for the face and body, community takeovers and panel discussions with leading experts. Superself is the latest in a long line of Selfridges events, with themes ranging from literature to the environment, that have aimed to tempt shoppers into stores in the digital age. Indulge in a facial workout and free gym on Thursday 10th – book here, or why not try Mastering Movement with Aveda? All tickets range from £10 – £25 and are available to book now.
Coravin Wine & Bubbles Bar – New Wine List
Tucked away on Lancashire Court in Mayfair, the Coravin Wine & Bubbles Bar features London’s longest sparkling by the glass list so it’s the perfect place to toast the important women in our lives. In celebration of International Women’s Day, a new wine menu is on offer during the month of March, showcasing an impressive selection of wines created by successful female winemakers. Guests can enjoy a range of sparkling wines, white and red wines, available at a range of price points, alongside dishes such as sharing plates of anchovies, English-cured charcuterie and seasonal French and English cheeses. Sparkling wines include a French Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, created by Anne Malassaigne of AR Lenoble Champagne – a strong figurehead for women founding a female-led organisation aiming to promote champagne to a wider audience. White wines include a 2022 Sauvignon blanc from Vanya Cullen, chief winemaker of boutique Australian winery, Cullen Wines. While there are five red wines to choose from including a 2018 Siccagno Rosso by Arianna Occhipinti, the celebrated Italian winemaker who first impressively released vintages under her own label at the age of 16.
Holborn Dining Room
It’s National Pie Week from the 7th – 13th March and one fabulous place to celebrate is the grand brasserie housed within Rosewood London, Holborn Dining Room which serves seasonal, locally sourced British cuisine with a twist. Head chef Calum Franklin, also known as the “pie king” and recently seen on Celebrity Masterchef, is behind these famous buttery, pastry pies. Choose from crowd-pleasers such as the comforting Dauphinoise potato, Winterdale cheddar and caramelised onion pie with parsley sauce as well as new dishes such as the beef cheek and celeriac steamed suet pudding served with bone marrow gravy. The interiors combine reclaimed oak with antique mirrors, red leather banquettes with tweed detailing, and two antique patina copper-topped bars, making it the place for enjoying a convivial meal with friends. If you’re strapped for time, try Holborn Dining Room’s delicatessen, which has a separate entrance on high Holborn, offering coffee, sandwiches, soups and salads to take away.
Crazy Pizza’s Crazy Bubbles Brunch – Knightsbridge
Do we need to say anything more than pizza, party and prosecco? The much-loved eatery, Crazy Pizza Knightsbridge is offering bottomless champagne and cocktails, fantastic dishes and crazy entertainment from Tuesday 19th March. The mouth-watering food offering includes signature thin crust and guilt-free wood-fired pizzas as well as Caponata with mozzarella. Aside from Champagne, wines and beers, you’ll be able to go crazy with the selection of bespoke cocktails, created by Crazy Pizza’s expert bar staff, that include cocktails such as the Sorrento with Apricot Brandy, passion fruit and Veuve Clicquot Champagne. This option is perfect for friends and families seeking fun and good Italian food, Crazy Pizza Knightsbridge’s brunch will be available every Saturday for £100 per person from 12 pm to 4 pm.
Ibérica – Mother’s Day Menu
Spoil your mum at Ibérica, an authentic Spanish tapas restaurant and bar, guided by Michelin-starred executive chef, Nacho Manzano. Located at various locations throughout the Capital, the restaurant embraces the Spanish tradition of merienda: a tasty morsel or two that is typically enjoyed between lunch and dinner. It’s essentially afternoon tea with a tapas twist and features classics such as jamón ibérico and toasted bread with tomato, a selection of hot and cold savoury pintxos such as asparagus toast with caramelised onion, Manchego cheese and truffle oil; four bite-sized sweets including tarta de santiago and churros con chocolate – this feast is the perfect afternoon treat. For £30 per person, you can choose from English Breakfast Tea or Earl Grey, with the option to include a glass of Spanish sparkling wine too, of course. This offer is only until Sunday 27th March so make sure you secure your booking here.
Celebrate Espresso Martini Day with Mr Black
If you’re no cocktail connoisseur don’t worry because Australian coffee brand Mr Black has the perfect Espresso Martini Kit to help craft a killer cocktail. The kit comes with the famous Mr Black coffee liqueur, a coffee concentrate and a cocktail shaker. Simply add 2 parts coffee liqueur with one part coffee concentrate to the cocktail shaker, fill with ice and shake for 20 seconds. Garnish with coffee beans or chocolate shavings and voila, you have an expertly crafted caffeinated cocktail in the comfort of your home. The kit will make 11 cocktails but the cocktail shakers will hold in good stead for years to come. For those looking to have a few Mr Black cocktails in the city, Mr Black is available at a selection of venues including Brigadiers, Swift, NoMad, The Coral Room, Callooh Callay and Balans.
Ladies Poker Society Event at Brigadiers
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Indian-inspired restaurant and bar Brigadiers has teamed up with the Ladies Poker Society to offer a poker masterclass experience and dinner for those who want to try their hand at the game. Ladies Poker Society are on a mission to build a community of poker enthusiasts whilst empowering and encouraging ladies that they can take a seat at any table. Guests who purchase a ticket will partake in a beginners masterclass and will be taught the rules of poker from scratch, followed by a poker tournament whilst enjoying food, drinks and good company. You will also sample the delights of the Brigadiers Pokers Feasting Menu, starting at £50 per person, creating the ultimate all-in after-dinner Poker experience. Options include Indo Chinese paneer lettuce cups, smoked pumpkin missi roti, tawa prawn biryani and wood roasted aubergine and bell pepper salan, all served with house daal, pine nut pilau and butter naan.
Bombay Delight – New Opening
Following the success of his first restaurant in Vauxhall, chef Ajay Chaurasia has opened Bombay Delight in Wimbledon, bringing hidden gems of Indian cuisine to South-west London. The menu at Bombay Delight features a number of lesser-known, regional Indian dishes alongside all-time favourites, with a focus on using fresh ingredients and fragrant spices to bring traditional recipes to life. Chaurasia’s depth of knowledge has allowed him to devise a menu that captures the true essence of India and Bombay Delight will be sourcing spices directly from India and creating their own house-blends for beautifully fragrant dishes. To kick off the meal, the line-up of appetisers are made to be shared and other highlights include sticky tamarind wings and avocado chat – a contemporary spin on the classic street food snack. Crydon’s microbrewery Coalition Brewing is supplying the beer alongside a drinks menu with an exciting selection of wines and cocktails. The spacious, open layout at Bombay Delight can seat up to 120 covers and reflects the authenticity of the food, the furniture and decor are custom-made and imported from India creating an all-around immersive dining experience.
Mother’s Day Special Menus
It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday 27th March and some of London’s top spots are offering special menus for the big day:
Treat mum to a unique modern-Nepalese afternoon tea curated by Santosh Shah, the MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 finalist, at The Cinnamon Club on Sunday 27th March, where delicious savoury and sweet treats, inspired by Santosh’s birth town in Nepal, will be served. Highlights on the savoury menu include chicken fried momo – savoury chicken dumplings – and pulled lamb masala pie, with sweet delights including chocolate yomari – a delicacy of Nepal – orange and polenta cake, and a refreshing mango lassi Tickets can be purchased here.
Critically acclaimed Executive Chef Padam Raj Rai of Hot Stone in Islington has created a spectacular 10-course Japanese feast, his most extensive sashimi tasting menu to date, especially for the Mothering Sunday weekend. Priced at £130 per head, treat Mum to the finest seafood and make her day!
There’s White and Pink Art Afternoon Tea at Rosewood London’s Mirror Room inspired by the Yayoi Kusama Infinity exhibition at the Tate Modern. This luxurious treat has been given a special twist for Mother’s Day and you can book it here.
Mortimer House are celebrating Mother’s Day on the 27th March with food and culture starting at 1pm with lunch from the new Spring Sunday menu, followed by an introductory talk on contemporary art and exclusive access to the gorgeous rooftop bar in the evening. Tickets are £50, available here.
All Mum’s at Bill’s meanwhile will get a complimentary Apple Pie Sundae dessert. At the Ivy Chelsea Garden, it’s a limited edition floral Mother’s Day macaron with raspberry, almond and pistachio, vanilla ice cream and rich raspberry sauce.
The Cavendish are offering Mother’s Day stays at a special rate from only £117 per person (£234 for a room for two people including room or suite, afternoon tea experience and a full English breakfast. Book here.
Cloud Twelve luxury wellness club in Notting Hill is offering up a Mother’s Day pamper package valid between 16-31st March including a full body massage, personalised facial and lots of other treats. Check out the deal here priced at £285.
Afternoon Tea at The Savoy this Mother’s Day comes with a glass of gorgeous Nyetimber while mum will receive a gift wrapped half bottle of Nyetimber Classic Cuvee MV to take home.
One to Bookmark – FESTA at Tobacco Dock
The team behind Bar Douro, the pair of popular Portuguese restaurants, will host a wine festival this summer. Named Festa, it will be a first for Douro and will stretch across the last weekend in June at Tobacco Dock in Wapping. The two-dayer will primarily celebrate 250 wines from some 50 Portuguese wine producers, but will also offer food, music and art. Curated by Max Graham and acclaimed Portuguese wine critic, Sarah Ahmed, the festival merges wine, restaurants and a Portuguese Mercado and wine shop, with live music and entertainment also to be enjoyed. Tickets are £35 per person, which covers a FESTA branded wine glass on arrival and over 250 wines to taste.
