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15th November 2018
Ina Yulo is a freelance food and travel writer based in London. Follow her gastronomic adventures over at @forever_munching.
Thanksgiving is a tradition that began as a harvest festival in the 1600s. Though not a national holiday in the UK, it isn’t uncommon to find Londoners gathering around a table come late November to give thanks, be merry, and of course, enjoy a sumptuous spread of hearty autumnal dishes. Whether you’re an American transplant searching for a taste of home, or simply have a craving for a perfectly-bronzed turkey with all the trimmings, we’ve rounded up the top restaurants in London to get into the Thanksgiving spirit.
Christopher’s
Consistently listed as one of the best restaurants to spend Thanksgiving in London, Christopher’s doesn’t disappoint with their offering for this year’s holiday season. Their three-course contemporary American menu is priced at £65 and includes choices like butternut squash and sage soufflé, grilled USDA rib-eye steak, slow-cooked ballotine of organic turkey, and caramelised apple pie. Christopher’s full Thanksgiving menu is available here. For bookings, please e-mail reservations@christophersgrill.com.
CUT at 45 Park Lane
Earlier this year, CUT, the modern American steak restaurant designed by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, had a successful launch for their American take on a British afternoon tea celebration. For this month’s Thanksgiving festivities, California-born executive chef David McIntyre has taken the CUTcakes and Tea concept and given it a festive spin. The result is a collection of delectable bites such as fried turkey & buttermilk bisquets with cranberry chutney, cola cake, and spiced pumpkin cake pops. CUT at 45 Park Lane’s Thanksgiving CUTcakes & Tea is £55 per person and the full menu can be found here. Bookings can be made via e-mail CUT.45L@dorchestercollection.com
Balthazar
A staple on the New York dining scene for the past two decades, all-day brasserie Balthazar knows a thing or two about Thanksgiving. This year, their London outpost located in Covent Garden is offering a three-course set menu for £55, beginning with a spice-roasted butternut squash soup, to be followed by a turkey roast with all the trimmings, and a traditional pecan pie. Diners are also offered a gingerbread fizz cocktail to accompany the meal. See the full menu here and book a table via their online reservations system.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Londoners can rejoice in the news that James Beard award-winning pastry chef and inventor of the Cronut, Dominique Ansel, is bringing his signature festive pies to his Belgravia bakery -- just in time for Thanksgiving! From the 9th to the 23rd of November, customers are invited to dine-in or take home Dominique’s bourbon pecan pie framed with a vanilla sablé crust, the extra silky pumpkin pie with a hand-crimped gingersnap crust, or the salted caramel apple pie in a buttery, flaky crust with an elegant lattice top.
Chutney Mary
If you’re looking for something a little different this Thanksgiving, make your way to gourmet Indian restaurant Chutney Mary. Their new St. James location features a champagne and cocktail bar set amidst elegant interiors. Chutney Mary’s Thanksgiving offering takes an inventive angle on a traditional Thanksgiving meal with items like venison samosa and roast duck with Himalayan apricots. The three-course menu is offered for lunch or dinner on November 22nd at £56 per person and can be booked here.
Sea Containers at Mondrian
Riverside restaurant Sea Containers, located in the boutique Mondrian hotel, allows guests to enjoy their Thanksgiving celebrations with a view of the Thames and the London skyline. Their limited-edition menu lists indulgent dishes such as creamy chestnut mac and cheese with aged parmesan and white truffle, roasted Hertfordshire turkey with pork stuffing and cranberry compote, and a classic sweet potato pie with maple Chantilly cream. Bookings can be made by writing to seacontainers@sbe.com.
The Pursuit of Pleasure, a 52-year-old blended Scotch whisky from House of Hazelwood and Hedonism Wines, would make the perfect Christmas present for a whisky devotee.
As the festive season approaches, London’s vibrant dining scene is ready to dazzle with an array of delectable offerings designed to elevate your celebrations.
The end of the year is in sight, so if you haven't snapped up a private room for your annual family get-together, company party or reunion with friends, allow us to suggest some of the best in the capital.
