London loves New Year’s Eve and Christmas

Welcome back to Slice, your weekly guide to what’s happening in London.

There may be just over a week to go in 2023, but we’re squeezing everything London has to offer in these final, champagne-soaked days. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy festive feasts, ice-cold winter cocktails and nostalgic family dishes before the party starts on the 31st…

The Slice’s Pick

Enjoy a table at Brigadiers with a four-course Indian BBQ for £95 per person (plus free-flowing champagne for £50 per person). Glamorous Italian Daroco has planned its own festive bash, with a menu of caviar and Franciacorta (fine Italian sparkling wine), made possible by a DJ set until midnight (£95).

The Roaring 20s go into full swing in Chelsea with BOHA’s Prohibition-inspired masquerade party, where masked guests in flapper dresses can enjoy an elegant party menu and some seriously strong cocktails (from £30 per person).

Stay in the Jazz Age for a sultry, velvety, lace-strewn evening at Dear Darling (an exclusive Mayfair nightclub that combines your posh great-aunt’s living room with a kinky Berlin basement), or fast-forward 30 years to another vintage party at The Engineer’s Ball – a 1950s style black tie event at Battersea Power Station with a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack and stunning views of fireworks (from £50 per person).

Other Skyline soirees include an all-female DJ line-up plus glitter and chips in the house at midnight at Shoreditch’s The Hoxton (join the waiting list for your free ticket here) and Searcy’s lavish extravaganza at the Gherkin (one of the most glittering tickets). in the city – from £399 per person). On the ground, Jimmy’s Pop Up Southbank has a front row seat (or should we say snow globe) when the London Eye lights up at midnight (from £75 per person).

Dancing until the early hours of 2024 (free entry).

And for the ultimate house party invite, join Bourne & Hollingsworth at their Clerkenwell mansion for a sumptuous dinner party (£95 per person), before heading down to the cellar for more late-night revelry and dazzling spectacle as if the clock strikes 12 o’clock hit. .

Until midnight!

FFood and drink

by Jeremy Ullman

Zapote is an elegant, stylish restaurant in the center of Shoreditch, offering the perfect spot between fun, relaxation and elegance. This would be a must-try on its own, with its deliciously hot, spicy cocktails, but the food is suitably tasty and exciting, with dishes packed with flavor and spice. The chefs expertly combine unexpected ingredients, so you can rest assured that your taste buds are in safe hands here, even if it’s not quite authentic Mexican. Highlights include the spicy yellowfin tuna and spicy crab tostadas and the charcoal-fried chicken skewers from Secreto Al Pastor. The New Year’s menu features some of their best dishes. Make the new year even more exciting and try this great restaurant. ¡Que Rico!

by Rob Buckhaven

I avoid central London around Christmas as there is far too much noise, fun and shopping for my taste. The newly opened Bar du Champagne completely ruined my plans. Thank you very much, your cozy place with delicious dishes and a great wine list, I didn’t have a chance. Not with hard-to-find producer champagnes, clear petnats, unusual cavas, crémants and English sparkling wines alongside simple but delicious small plates. Don’t get me started on the Georgian Saperavi I had with my Croque Monsieur or the Greek Xinomavro paired with the best tiramisu I’ve had in a long time. A single visit won’t do it justice, I’ll be going back to discover the rest.

One Aldwych has transformed its famous lobby bar into an enchanted forest straight out of Narnia. White branches, glittering with lights, lead the way to a magical installation with forest animals and a floor-to-ceiling white Christmas tree. For the seasonal cocktail menu, the hotel collaborated with Sapling Spirits and Everleaf to create five delicious, smooth cocktails with festive ingredients such as pear cider, fresh cranberries and spiced berry syrup. We recommend the Winterry White – as creamy and dreamy as a snowy Christmas morning.

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North London’s most popular bakery was busy. You won’t find soggy shortcrust pastry here – their Christmas special is the lovechild of a donut and a mince pie: a fluffy, squid-like pillow oozing rich and flavorful mince. A rich, flavorful dipping sauce ensures that everything tastes great.

BEST ALTERNATIVE: Tonkotsu.

You don’t have to devour Brussels sprouts and pork in blankets for festive flavor. Ramen chain Tonkotsu gave us an ultra-warming bowl of glazed duck leg with Christmas spices, wide noodles, pickled radish, pomegranate seeds, crispy onions and a Clarence Court egg yolk. We will do this until January.

BEST SANDWICH: Secret sandwich shop.

The leftover sandwiches on Boxing Day are legendary: thick slices of turkey, chunks of stuffing and crispy bacon dripping with cranberry sauce. If you can’t wait for leftovers on the 26th, head to this hidden sarnie spot in Notting Hill for a top-notch version of the classic Christmas Whopper. Just don’t tell anyone what we told you!