By Hannah Powling
With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show right around the corner (24th-28th May) we wanted to share some great foodie events in London with you; as some restaurants and bars around London are getting in on the floral action with specially themed menus in honour of the show.
Who knew that tasting flowers would be just as wonderful as looking at them? From edible flower garnishes to floral-inspired flavours; these exquisitely created dishes and cocktails will have your mouths watering. Take a look:
OXBO Bankside
To celebrate, OXBO Bankside have adapted their spring Lemon Tart to include beautiful (and yes, yummy) edible flowers, for a beautiful and newly decorated dish. www.oxbobankside.co.uk
BARTS
Located just a stone’s throw away from the world’s most prestigious flower show itself, Barts could be the perfect destination to wind down and enjoy cocktails after a visit to the exhibition. They have created an exquisite tipple appropriately named ‘The Red Flower’ which includes a herbaceous blend of Bombay Sapphire infused with hibiscus flowers, rose water, carpano, sugar and lemon juice. Enjoy their drinks in their Cuban Garden for a lush surrounding of exotic plants and foliage… Mmm. www.barts-london.com
GERMAN GYMNASIUM
To mark this year’s Show, German Gymnasium are going all-out and have transformed their menu and terrace with flowers. Featuring edible blooms throughout, the dishes include crisp dandelion salad with fresh raspberries and an acacia blossom honey dressing, and rhubarb and custard brûlée with elderflower ice-cream. A range of cocktails with edible flowers, fresh fruits and floral infusions has also been designed to mark the occasion. A particularly light and citrus offering, Ikebana, based on the Japanese art of flower arranging, blends Tanqueray 10, elderflower cordial, matcha and lemon juice and is garnished with a single edible orchid. Wow. www.germangymnasium.com
Avenue, St James’s
Go and take a trip to Avenue, St James’ where you can enjoy their floral-themed menu and cocktails. Using seasonal ingredients and adorned with edible flowers, dishes include pickled cucumber & strawberry salad with fennel pollen and scallop ceviche with vanilla and pink peppercorn. Avenue will also be shaking up a menu of sour cocktails with a sweet floral twist including lychee and lemongrass sour, elderflower sour and cherry blossom sour.. www.avenue-restaurant.co.uk
LIMA
Michelin-starred restaurant LIMA will be in full bloom during the Chelsea Flower Show, with a range of the Peruvian restaurant’s dishes garnished with rare and unusual flowers. Just one of the standout offerings is the Octopus Olivo, which is a dish of braised octopus served with purple corn, botija olive and adorned with vene cress and delicately plated pansies. For a floral toast to go with your meal, you can also enjoy a pisco-based cocktail shaken with lime and hibiscus flower and topped with ginger ale, to celebrate the Peruvian way. www.limalondongroup.com
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