By Jenna Jones
When it comes to Christmas gifting, food and wine will never go out of style. It’s the universal gift that oozes Christmas spirit and is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of that special someone. Therefore, all that’s left to do is order in time for the big day and that’s where we come in. As our gift to you this season we’ve rounded up a classic selection of hampers and champers including all important order deadlines for a stress-free Christmas shopping experience…
Harrods
Allow Harrods to take the hard work out of gift giving this season with one of their delectable festive hampers. Filled to the brim with sweet treats, preserves and a bottle of their finest Champagne, the Knightsbridge Christmas Hamper is a failsafe festive feast just waiting to be shared. Or delight the little people in your life with the Winnie-The-Pooh Once There Was a Bear Hamper, a suitably sweet celebration of Britain’s best loved bear, complete with delicious gingerbread, hot chocolate and an iconic Edward teddy.
Order deadline: UK: 21ST December, international: 15th December, US & Hong Kong: 17th December. Plus, free UK delivery on orders of £100 or more.
The BIB Wine Company
Featured as ‘the first ever luxury Bag-in-Box wine’ by Adrian Smith of the Independent, the BIB Wine Company has put Bag-in-Box wine on the map for all the right reasons. BIB are changing the face of quality wine in the UK, creating a sustainable future for the wine landscape, one recyclable box at a time. For the festive season we recommend their Château Couronneau ‘Cuvée Clair de Lune’ Bordeaux, a full-bodied, spicy merlot that pairs perfectly with roasted meats and cheese. Or opt for the Taster Box, complete with a recorded online tasting session as the perfect stocking filler. Bring people together this Christmas with BIB wines – a true tonic for the soul and a treat for the tastebuds.
Order deadline: UK: 23rd December (midday)
Fortnum & Mason
For the holy grail in hampers, it must be an iconic handwoven wicker delight from Fortnum & Mason. Head to their website and lift the lid on an unrivalled festive array of hampers to suit, well quite frankly, any Christmas occasion. The vegan-friendly, Yuletide Hamper, offers a delicious selection of luxurious free-from delights while the extravagant Christmas Feast Hamper is enough to keep a family full well into the new year!
Order deadline: UK: pre-order and choose a delivery slot up until 23rd December. F&M hampers sell out fast, so our advice is to get your order in asap to avoid disappointment!
Bespoke Wine Collection
As the name suggests, a gift from the Bespoke Wine Collection is a far cry from your generic bottle of vino. Give the ‘Perfect Gift of Experience’ this season with their beautifully presented, hand-picked selection of 3 fine wines. Each bespoke case of three includes a wine passport featuring the history of each estate, tasting notes, gastronomic pairing, serving suggestions and potential for further ageing. There’s also the option to tailor your case by specific wine, favourite region or to even celebrate a particular vintage year of significance. From treasured friends to trusted clients it’s the ultimate curated gift that’s guaranteed to impress.
Order deadline: UK: 10th December, international: 6th December
Selfridges
If a more personal touch is what you’re seeking this Christmas contact Selfridges where the team will be more than happy to build a unique hamper or gift box from their range of delectable gastronomic delights, complete with a personalised gift message. Choose from the finest yuletide festive favourites including Christmas spiced orange hot chocolate, indulgent cheese selections and a host of celebratory tipples.
Order deadline: UK: dependent on stock availability. Stock is reserved once payment has been made. Sell through is fast this year so order sooner rather than later.
The Magnum Company
Nothing says Christmas quite like a celebratory magnum shared with loved ones and no one does it quite like The Magnum Company. Firmly believing that quality and quantity should not be mutually exclusive concepts, The Magnum Company seeks to ensure that wine enthusiasts enjoy the latest and greatest the market has to offer on an extravagant scale! Champagne will always be first to mind with the mention of a magnum, but The Magnum Company offers so much more with Crémant, Port, Sherry, Rosé and Red all available in the impressive 1.5L offering.
Order deadline: UK: 21ST December
London’s Most Stylish Private Dining Rooms
By Amira Hashish
From the elegant banquet-style Rose Room at The Ned to the sprawling skyline backdrop at The Standard hotel’s Decimo space, London is brimming with private dining options where the menus are as spectacular as the decor. Amira Hashish gives us a taste of what to expect…
The Residence at Holmes Hotel, Marylebone
On Chiltern Street in the heart of Marylebone Village, Holmes Hotel London has recently unveiled The Residence: a new exclusive use events venue within the hotel. The self-contained space, designed around the historic townhouses above, channels the decadence of the neighbourhood’s famous fictional resident Sherlock. Five versatile rooms are available; The Pantry, The Billiard Room, The Laboratory, The Conservatory and The Cellar. They host up to 130 guests when booked together or up to 20 guests when the rooms are used individually for smaller occasions. Designed by Zopsigog, the venue is lined with artfully positioned antiques, curiosities and artefacts. Two additional areas – The Library and the Telegraph Room – are handy hideaways for private moments or discrete phone calls.
Book: holmeshotel.com
The Ned, Bank
This delightfully dramatic space has six Grade I-listed meeting rooms and two outdoor terraces available to hire on the historic and fully-restored sixth floor. Each of the rooms has period features, including walnut panelling and vintage chandeliers, as well as ample domed windows to allow for plenty of natural light and a real sense of occasion. They range in size from 21 square metres to 165 square metres and can accommodate between 4 and 200 people so there is lots of flexibility. Food and drinks menus, from cocktails and snacks to four-course dinners, are personalised. For something rather special check out The Rose Room which is decked out with chandeliers, a marble fireplace and mahogany wood panelling.
Book: thened.com
Decimo, King’s Cross
On the 10th floor of The Standard hotel, Decimo has floor-to-ceiling windows with a London-skyline backdrop. The semi-private dining room allows guests to feed off the lively vibe and DJs in Decimo. It is open until 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays so it is perfect for those late-night parties. The menu comprises executive chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’ Mexican and Spanish-influenced dishes, including gambas rojas, Mangalitza pork and tortilla topped with caviar. The kitchen team can curate a bespoke set menu for events too, including wine and cocktail pairings. Bookable Wednesday to Saturday evenings from £,3000 for up to 38 guests.
Book: decimo.london
Claridge’s, Mayfair
The iconic hotel has unveiled a new dining destination; L’Epicerie is your ticket to front row seats at the culinary theatre of the hallowed kitchen. It is part of an ongoing evolution of Claridge’s, turning what would traditionally be ‘back of house’ areas into guest-facing experiential spaces. The chef’s table – the centrepiece of the space – is the place to go for private dining, masterclasses, wine dinners and interactive feasts, all led by Executive Chef Martyn Nail and his team. Private dining menus are available from £150 per guest with interactive experiences at £350 per guest.
Book: claridges.co.uk
Luca, Clerkenwell
There are two private dining rooms in this Italian favourite. The Garden Room is a beautiful indoor area in the style of an Italian garden and The Pasta Room has been designed to look and feel like a traditional Italian home kitchen. The Terrace, a covered, secluded and foliage-filled spot surrounded by olive trees and jasmine, is also available and ideal for a cosy, wintery meal with large groups, warmed by the open fire. There is the choice of the Chef’s Menu, the Feasting Menu or a Truffle & Barolo Tasting Menu with the option to add a canape reception at The Terrace. Prices are from £85 per person with a capacity of 8 to 19 guests.
Book: luca.restaurant
Kutir, Chelsea
Spice up the night with an Indian fine-dining dinner. There are two first-floor private dining rooms ideal for a celebration, The Sariska and The Ranthambore room, which can be freely decorated. Located in an elegant Chelsea townhouse, interiors are inspired by Indian wildlife. Chef Rohit Ghai’s signature Expedition menus, a seasonal Game menu or a bespoke option can be curated. The rooftop can also be hired for pre- or post- dinner drinks and canapés. Prices from £100 per person with capacity between 9 and 30.
Book: kutir.co.uk
The Ninth, Fitzrovia
The contemporary French restaurant by Chef Jun Tanaka is the place for a Michelin-starred dinner party. Home to a semi-private dining room, the set menu is Mediterranean-style. With the option to exclusively hire the restaurant or first floor also, you can control the restaurant’s music systems and decorate all private-hire spaces. From £1,500 – £10,000 with capacity ranging from 22 to 40 guests.
Book: theninthlondon
The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair
For a formal sit-down meal, The Lotos Room of the recently refurbished Beaumont Hotel is a great option. The room, panelled in cherry wood with vintage lighting and bespoke art deco carpet, holds an additional ante-room for a drinks reception. The Beaumont has a selection of private dining menus created by Chef Ben Boeynaems, featuring signature dishes including Steak tartare and Fillet of Beef Wellington. There is also a canape menu with transatlantic accents, including Devilled quails eggs and the signature Corndog with Stout mustard.
Book: thebeaumont.com
The Laundry, Brixton
Brixton’s neighbourhood bistro and wine shop has a cute private dining room, ideal for intimate events with close friends and family. This festive season, there is a special feasting menu with a cocktail on arrival, a selection of sharing starters, including beef carpaccio and panzanella salad, a choice of mains, such as roasted lamb rump or herb-crusted cod, and a tiramisu for dessert.
Book: thelaundrybrixton.com
The Black Book, Soho
The boutique basement bar and restaurant is a hidden gem for wine gurus on Frith Street. It has two semi-private booths which are tucked away in the dark corners of the room and can accommodate groups of up to 12. There is also the Alcove space which works for parties, wedding celebrations, birthdays and wine tastings for up to 20 people. An intimate choice.
Book: blackbooksoho.co.uk
Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, Embankment
The private room here seats up to 16 and comes with a special menu by acclaimed chef Tom Kerridge. Alongside Tom, Head Chef Nick Beardshaw has created a menu that puts a twist on traditional British dishes and delivers big, robust flavours. The restaurant’s Head Sommelier is happy to help pair wine with every course once the dishes have been selected.
Book: kerridgesbarandgrill.co.uk
Bob Bob Ricard, Soho
Modelled on the Royal Dining Carriage, this opulent room seats up to 16 guests and offers the full à la carte menu from the main restaurant. The minimum spend is £1,000 plus service at lunch or £1,500 plus service at dinner.
Book: bobbobricard.com
Bistrotheque, Bethnal Green
East London’s stylish converted warehouse stalwart is that perfect blend of homely and industrial. It can be booked out for private events with the main restaurant hosting up to 120 with use of the sound system, projector and the baby grand piano. The Cockatoo on the lower ground floor seats 60 and has an electric piano and DJ booth. Expect hearty British dishes.
Book: bistrotheque.com
Aquavit, St James’s
There are two private dining rooms on the mezzanine floor of the contemporary Nordic restaurant which can be customised into different layouts to suit your needs. The larger of two rooms, The Stockholm, can seat up to 63 guests and 100 guests standing. The Copenhagen Room seats up to 15 at a large round table. Both are available to book throughout the day with menus following the theme served in the main restaurant, offering popular dishes along with staple Scandinavian favourites.
Book: aquavitrestaurants.com
Amira Hashish is the founder and director of content, creative and events agency Rapport. Previously, executive editor of the Evening Standard, she writes columns for leading newspapers and magazines about design and travel. Follow @thedesigneditor and visit www.clubrapport.com for more.
Exciting UK Restaurant Openings
By Anya Cooklin-Lofting
The thrill of revisiting old haunts for ‘the usual’ or discovering new places to wine and dine is still tangible after months of seemingly unending captivity. For me, it’s the snippets of conversations collected like appetisers as you weave through busy tables, the fragrance from the kitchen as a waiter guides you towards your table. It’s the sumptuous seats and the low, romantic lighting, the anticipation of each course and the decadence of physical (and cerebral) fullness.
In celebration of the simple pleasure of dining anywhere other than your own dining table, here is a round-up of some of the most exciting new restaurants on the UK’s booming scene.
Panton Yokocho
New from the Japan Centre Group is the second in its Yokocho chain, located on Panton Street, a bustling nook in London’s West End. Its name translates to the English ‘alleyway’ and references Japan’s famously narrow streets furnished with lively izakayas. Yokocho serves traditional Japanese regional ramen cuisine, which originates from Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s islands, to Kyushu in the south.
Mallow
Vegetarian pillar of the vegetarian and vegan restauranteur community, Mildreds, has just opened Mallow, a brand new outpost marking its 25 year anniversary. Installed at the iconic foodie scene, Borough Market, a spokesperson has told visitors to expect an “extension of the market” with a mix of small and large plates of global inspiration, from cauliflower chaat to banana blossom tacos and truffle croquettes.
Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
This year, Syrian Chef and restauranteur, Imad Alarban opened the doors to his eponymous Kingly Court restaurant to share the tastes and fragrances of Damascus. His journey to success on the London scene begins with his three restaurants, several juice bars and cafes in his home country’s capital which were destroyed within six days in the war. As he travelled across Europe in 2015, he cooked for groups of up to 400 refugees at a time. Arriving in Europe, his charity events have raised thousands for the Choose Love charity in aid of refugees, and the new restaurant will follow suit with donations of £1 from every bill.
Eleanore
Moving away from the churn of Carnaby and the restlessness of Soho, Edinburgh’s restaurant scene is positively blossoming. Roberta Hall-McCarron, the owner and chef at The Little Chartroom, a restaurant inspired by Hall-McCarron’s childhood, is set to open the doors to its latest outpost, Eleanore, a restaurant and wine bar for an informal, counter-culture approach to excellent Scottish cuisine.
Sessions Arts Club
Sessions Arts Club is a hub for lovers of the arts and great food in a beautiful setting in Clerkenwell. The setting is Old Sessions House, fully restored with its Grade II listing intact. The venue’s concept is grounded in the use of the space as a studio, acting as a restaurant under Florence Knight, a bar and a performance space.
Burnt Orange Brighton
A stone’s throw from the entrancing passages of The Lanes, Razak Helalat’s latest venture, Burnt Orange, is the place to wrap up your day trip to the UK’s most popular coastal town. Helalat is the restauranteur behind The Salt Room and The Coal Shed, two hugely popular settings for refined and formal dining experiences. With Burnt Orange, guests can enjoy Helalat’s more casual approach as he mixes the artful food for which he has become known with DJ sets from Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim.