When seasons change, thoughts often turn to our wardrobes and how to dress for the coming cold – but what about how we fuel our bodies? On gloomy winter days, nothing warms the cockles quite like, well, a steaming bowl of cockles, or, if your tastes aren’t that of an elderly East End cockney, how about a picante cocktail or hearty roast with all the trimmings?
With winter around the corner, we’ve scoured Mayfair for the finest warming dishes guaranteed to fill your belly and give you a cosy, fuzzy feeling.
Sunday specials
What says winter cosiness, culinarily speaking, more than a stodgy Sunday roast? We’re talking about the kind that barely fits on your plate and comes with generous lashings of gravy. If you’re a traditionalist at heart, Gordon Ramsay’s Heddon Street Kitchen offers a delicious and pleasingly affordable set Sunday menu. Choose from two courses for £35 or three for £40, with options including dry-aged rare roast beef and roast cornfed chicken, or celeriac wellington for veggies. Just make sure you leave room for a classic sticky toffee pudding afterwards. And if you fancy something a bit different that doesn’t stray too far from tradition, then try some cosy new dishes from Rosi, the newly opened modern British restaurant at The Beaumont hotel. The steamed lamb suet pudding is a spin on a classic dish and comfort on a plate, or tuck into the decadent “old fashioned pork pie”, a generous and rich comfort dish that takes three days to make (and mere moments to finish).
Take a sip
When in the depths of winter, it’s time to give the Aperol spritzes and piña coladas a rest and make your tipples more fireside- than poolside-friendly. Guaranteed to put hairs on your chest is a bitter and zesty negroni from the East Bar at sketch, or take things up a notch with the Ember negroni at The Connaught; a fiery twist on the Italian classic with Mexican spices and chilli water. And once winter really sets in, it’s hard to resist a fruity and boozy mulled wine. Pull up a pew at Surrealism-inspired Le Magritte Bar and enjoy this festive favourite in elegant surroundings.
Pack a punch
Speaking of spice, a dish that’s packed with flavour can transport you to warmer climates faster than a one-way flight to Bangkok. Dip into spicy global-inspired dishes such as Persian lamb meatballs and Cajun crispy calamari from Café Biltmore. Or really push the boat out with the gochujang-glazed côte de boeuf with grilled kimchi from Somssi by Jihun Kim at Mandarin Oriental.
Just desserts
A steamed pudding is a surefire way to warm the soul. In Mayfair, dessert options are considerably more sophisticated than school dinner favourites (no shade to the spotted dick and custard), with one of our favourites being the superb roasted cherries with pistachio ice-cream and brown sugar crumble at Charlie’s. For a sweet showstopper, order the sobacha and honeycomb lucky cat from Gordon Ramsay’s Asian-inspired restaurant. A whole chocolate lucky cat is delivered to the table before being drenched in piping-hot sauce, revealing grilled pear and miso caramel. Instagram filters at the ready…
Tag us in your winter warmers @bondstreet, we can't wait to see what you tuck into!