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St Patrick’s Day in London: 8 ways to celebrate

OpenTable March 12, 2019 Leave a Comment

Whether you’re watching the rugby, feasting with friends, or downing green shots, St Patrick’s Day in London is always a good craic. Here are some of the best places to celebrate this Sunday, from live music in Camden to Irish roasts in Shoreditch.

St Patrick’s Day at Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill
Overseen by London’s favourite Irish chef, Richard Corrigan, this West End restaurant goes all out for St Patrick’s Day. They’re serving a family-style lunch on Saturday – 5 courses including smoked salmon and Irish stew – followed by the rugby and live music from 6pm. On Sunday, you can book a table for a post-parade brunch, followed by more live music.

St Patrick’s Day Festival at Trafalgar Square
Now approaching its seventieth year, London’s St Patrick’s Day festival showcases the best of Irish music, dance, food and culture. Festivities kick off at noon to coincide with the St Patrick’s Day parade which sees elaborate floats, marching bands and dance troupes making their way from Piccadilly to Trafalgar Square. Don’t miss The Massaoke Band on the main stage at 5pm – they’ll be getting the crowd going with a singalong including some Irish favourites.Continue Reading

Bars for bookworms: 5 library bars to try in London

OpenTable March 7, 2019

Whether you’re dating a bibliophile or just want to catch up on your latest novel, these London library bars are the perfect place to combine your love of books and booze.

Scarfes Bar
Named after British artist and caricaturist Gerald Scarfe, the Rosewood’s opulent bar is a haven for culture vultures and cocktail connoisseurs. There’s a roaring fire, velvet armchairs to sink into, and bookshelves filled with over 1,000 antique books – what more could you ask for? If the answer is something to nibble on, you’re in luck. Bar snacks like black pudding Scotch eggs and Devonshire lamb chops are served until midnight, plus the superb Holborn Dining Room is right next door.

The Drawing Room at BFI Bar & Kitchen
At the BFI’s Benugo-run restaurant, a faux bookcase leads to a secret cocktail bar with book-lined shelves and comfy armchairs. It’s the ideal spot to unwind with a book while you sip film-inspired cocktails like the rum-based Casablanca or the tequila-spiked Trainspotting. If you’re bringing a date, why not stick around for a movie or stroll along the river for dinner at Skylon?Continue Reading

Flavour of the month: 10 new restaurant openings in London

OpenTable March 6, 2019

London’s restaurant scene continues to flourish. Now and in the imminent future, a lunchtime hot spot gets another iteration, Islington discovers 14 varieties of sausage, and an Angela Hartnett protégé sets up in Marylebone.

Kanishka
North East India’s cuisine is a rich one, containing dried or fermented river fish, bamboo shoots, rice, less masala than neighbouring regions, and particularly meat-heavy dishes. Atul Kochhar’s latest venture, Kanishka, looks to translate the region’s bountiful street food to Mayfair.

Barullo
Following up his highly-praised ventures Rambla and Sibarita, Victor Garvey’s is set to open a new restaurant in the City. Spanish-influenced dishes, from the sherry-brined fried chicken to the toasted coconut ice cream, sound promising indeed.

Myrtle
London’s last notable restaurant opening with an Irish slant was Nuala in January last year. This one, led by Dublin-born Anna Haugh (who’s cooked in some of London’s most famous restaurants), promises an enlightening take on Irish-European cuisine.Continue Reading

Winter warmers: The best traditional Bavarian restaurants in Munich

OpenTable February 28, 2019

Fancy a weekend trip abroad to warm your soul with a bit of comfort food? Then head to Munich! The Bavarian capital charms visitors with its half-timbered houses and the picturesque river Isar, winding its way through the entire city. In Germany, Munich is known as the “city with a big heart” and we can’t think of a better place to enjoy hearty comfort food than here.

Ratskeller München
Anyone remotely interested in Bavarian culture and cuisine must pay Ratskeller München a visit. Situated beneath the New Town Hall, the historic cellar restaurant serves classic Bavarian dishes that will warm you up during the cold winter months. Try the roast pork shank with red cabbage and a rich gravy or the ‘beef rouladen’, made to Grandma’s recipe. Of course, you’ll also have to try one of their famous beers too.

Wirtshaus in der Au
A visit to Munich would not be complete without experiencing the traditional cuisine and beer that has been going strong at Wirtshaus in der Au since 1901. Here, you can explore the Bavarian way of life, tuck into delicious dumplings and choose from an array of German sausages. Save room for dessert – their Apfelschmarrn (sliced pancake with apples) is too good to resist.Continue Reading

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