Sauce Loves… Alfresco Dining
With the very exciting news that some spring weather is finally upon us, we’ve compiled a roundup of the best sun traps to enjoy the soaring temperatures this week. From Bluebird Café’s brand-new terrace at White City’s Television Centre to the unparalleled Manchester views at the newly opened 20 Stories, there’s something for all to enjoy.
Bluebird Café
The celebrated Chelsea restaurant has spread its wings to the west and opened Bluebird Café at the Television Centre White City, one of London’s hottest new developments. The all year-round terrace opens out onto a piazza overlooked by the Television Centre’s famous circular core – the perfect spot to enjoy Executive Chef Simon Gregory’s modern European menu. For those looking to soak up the rays this weekend, Bluebird Café be launching its new brunch menu just in time for the sun.
Caramel London
Head on down to the newly launched Caramel London and soak up the sun on their stylish new terrace while enjoying one of the delightful signature cocktails. Options include the Brompton Garden made with orange-infused Bombay Sapphire, Kamm & Sons, lime, London Essence Co bitter orange & elderflower tonic and Sweet Habibi created with Bacardi Blanca infused with basil, maraschino, lime and elderflower. It’s the perfect spot to relax and watch passers-by on the Brompton Road.
http://caramelgroup.com/venues/caramel-restaurant-and-lounge-london/
Angler
One of the City’s true hidden gems, the west-facing terrace at Michelin-starred Angler is perfect for soaking up the afternoon sun. Guests will be able to enjoy the seasonally changing menu from Executive Chef Gary Foulkes, with refreshing dishes including the likes of Cornish mackerel tartare, oyster cream, apple, shiso. If the heatwave comes to a sudden and likely end, a retractable roof and heaters ensures guests stay warm and dry whatever the weather.
Courtyard Garden, Sanderson
For those wanting to escape the sweltering stress of the city, the Courtyard Garden at Sanderson is the perfect oasis. Brimming with fragrant jasmine, the open-air space is an architecturally classified Heritage Garden where guests can drink, dine or simply relax in this unique haven. The signature cocktail menu is inspired by the beauty of nature to perfectly accompany the setting, including the Sussudio made up of Grey Goose vodka, Lillet Blanc, melons and basil.
Meraki
Guests can enjoy the balmy climes on the terrace at contemporary Greek restaurant, Meraki. Based in central Fitzrovia, Meraki offers fresh and light dishes for diners to enjoy from Chef Patron Athinagoras Kostakos, including Santorini cherry tomatoes, thyme, caper leaves & goats cheese. The combination of delicious Greek food and an alfresco setting is bound to transport guests to the warmth of the Mediterranean.
https://meraki-restaurant.com/
20 Stories
Earlier this year, renowned chef Aiden Byrne and D&D London launched 20 Stories in Manchester. Situated on the nineteenth-floor of No.1 Spinningfields, 20 Stories features a glamourous restaurant, relaxed grill, lively bar, and a beautiful rooftop garden with unparalleled views of the city. The alluring garden terrace has trees scaling two storeys and an outdoor lounge bar under a canopy of foliage and dramatic lighting. Outdoor BBQs and al fresco fireplaces are dotted along the terrace to create a cosy atmosphere against the stunning backdrop of the Manchester skyline.
Fiume
Fiume, which translates as ‘river’, is set right on the bank of the Thames, with stunning views over the river and a large piazza-style terrace for guests to enjoy the traditional recipes of chef Francesco Mazzei’s homeland. Situated in the highly-anticipated Battersea power station redevelopment, the restaurant offers wholesome, hearty dishes showcasing the vibrant ingredients of the Mediterranean whilst paying homage to the Mezzogiorno region of southern Italy. As the weather gets warmer, the restaurant’s large terrace is the perfect spot for al fresco dining. Filled with lemon and olive trees, and rustic terracotta pots planted with aromatic rosemary and lavender, the space is set to transport guests to the sun-baked Mediterranean landscapes that have inspired the restaurant.
The Goring
When the sun is shining, guests at The Goring’s Bar & Lounge are invited to dine al fresco or enjoy a glass of something sparkling on the terrace or veranda overlooking the hotel’s beautiful and immaculately kept gardens. Located in Belgravia, just a short walk from Victoria Station, the Bar & Lounge is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in the 5-star hotel surroundings. Alongside an extensive list of vintage Champagnes, wines, reserve malt whiskeys and cocktails, guests can choose from an array of light lunch options including caviar and bar snacks, salads, sandwiches and a selection of delicious hot dishes from the bar menu.
Big Easy Canary Wharf
With a spectacular 150 seat west facing terrace offering the best sundowner views in East London, Big Easy Canary Wharf is the idyllic spot for al fresco dining all year round. Relax, unwind and soak up the sunshine and fresh air whilst enjoying Bar.B.Q, seafood, cocktails, drinks and bar bites. To find out more information, head to:
Redemption Bar
If you’re heading to east London during the sunny weather, make sure to check out Redemption Bar’s outdoor terrace in Shoreditch. As London’s only vegan, sugar-free, wheat-free and alcohol-free restaurant, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy delicious and refreshing mocktails while soaking up some vitamin D. Enjoy the Raspberry Royale – a delicate fusion of frozen raspberry puree and delicate rose essence topped up with sparkling water or perhaps the Frocorita – a coconut water, lime and birch syrup ‘frozen margarita’, blitzed with ice and rimmed with Himalayan mountain salt.
Hai Cenato
Now that Spring has finally arrived and the temperature is beginning to rise, guests can soak up the sun at Jason Atherton’s Hai Cenato, where the Italian menu is served with side of New York personality. Grab a table on Hai Cenato’s terrace which offers the perfect spot in the sun to enjoy delicious stone baked sourdough pizzas and this month’s speciality Spring inspired Jalisco Negroni, made with Orange Bitters, Angostura Bitters, Tapatio Bianco, Tawny Port, Cocchi Amaro Vermouth. Priced at £9.50, £1 per cocktail will go to Hospitality Action charity. With warm days and long evenings, you’ll think you’ve been transported to the streets of Italy.
Rojano’s in the Square
In the gorgeous Cornwall town of Padstow, Paul Ainsworth’s relaxed, family friendly restaurant ‘Rojano’s in the Square’ offers rustic Italian and Mediterranean influenced dishes prepared with carefully sourced Cornish and British produce, all of which can be enjoyed on a beautiful terrace overlooking the square. The restaurant is open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner, as well as a selection of homemade cakes and refreshments in between, so this gorgeous sun-trap can be enjoyed all day long.
www.paul-ainsworth.co.uk/rojanos-in-the-square/
It’s never too early for a summer picnic, so we’ve also compiled our top suggestions for a tipple or two to enjoy in the sunshine…
Mirabeau en Provence
Warmer weather is finally upon us, so why not raise a glass to the Great British Summer with award-winning rosé brand Mirabeau en Provence? Available at Waitrose and Booths are Mirabeau Classic, a vibrant, pink-coloured Côtes de Provence made from beautiful hillside vineyards to the south-east of Aix-en-Provence, and Mirabeau Pure, a very pale, delicate rosé made from some of the highest vineyards in the region. Mirabeau Etoile, a stunning, lychee coloured rosé with crystalline nuances, is available exclusively at Sainsbury’s. The latest addition to the range is a delicately effervescent sparkling rosé aptly named ‘La Folie’, which launched at Waitrose in August 2017. Mirabeau en Provence can also be found in selected restaurants and bars.
Longflint
Using handmade tonics, sodas and seltzers that are combined with London’s finest craft spirits, Longflint is pioneering a new style of alcoholic ‘long drink’ in the UK, just in time for the warmer months. Perfect for summertime celebrations, picnics and barbecues, choose from seven flavours including Rose Hip & Gin Fizz, Ginger & Rum Fuego and Rhubarb & Vodka Seltzer to celebrate the sunshine in style. Longflint’s range is available for purchase at Whole Foods, Selfridges, Mother Kelly’s as well as in the tap rooms of Beavertown and Camden Brewery, and pubs like the People’s Park Tavern in Victoria Park. Longflint is also available online via Amazon and directly from its website: https://longflint.com/
RRP £3.50/bottle