Burns Night 2016:The top places to celebrate in London from Fortnum and Masons to Queen of Hoxton
The annual celebration of the celebrated Scottish poet Robert Burns's birthday on the 25th January may be on Monday this year, but that hasn't stopped London's eateries and drinking dens going all out in order to celebrate the Bard in style. We picked the best places to celebrate on Monday.
Hix and Browns Hotel - Burns Night banquet
Browns' mainstay Mark Hix has teamed up with comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli to host a lavish Burns Night with an Indian influence in the hotel's beautiful Clarendon room.
The menu features Hix's famous 'Snax' to share including: Glenmorangie Cured Salmon; Pani Puri and Blackface Haggis Fritters, as well as classic like Cullen Skink and Blackface Haggis. Each course will naturally be accompanied with a specially chosen whisky, as well as a range of entertainment celebrating Burns and his poetry finished off with a flaming haggis of course.
If you just fancy something small you can enjoy a glass of whisky and bar snacks in the Library Bar. If you're a scotch novice, the whisky sommelier will also be on hand to help you choose the perfect tipple.
The Burns Night banquet will cost £95 per person, telephone the hotel on 020 7493 6020 or email bro-fandb@roccofortehotels.com to book.
The Queen of Hoxton - Toast to Rabbie Burns, 7-10pm
Head up to the Queen of Hoxton's cosy roof top wigwam for a full on night of dancing and whisky tasting, courtesy of the Glendfiddich distillery. As well as a healthy drop of scotch there will plenty of Scottish fare to soak up the alcohol while you dance away to the notes of fiddle player Tom Newell.
Entry to the wig wam is free, however official whisky tasting sessions are ticketed for a 'Meet our Family' whisky tasting with Glenfiddich. The tasting includes sampling four of their famous whiskies plus a whisky based cocktail, and a chance to learn about the history and family story of the distillery.
Of course, if you don't join the official group, you can always head to the bar and conduct your own taste tests.
The Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3JX, https://queenofhoxton.com/
Bread Street Kitchen
Gordon Ramsey's cosy St Paul's restaurant will be pulling out all the stops for a lavish Burns night feast. You can pick from the a la carte menu or opt for the full-on four-course Balvenie Dinner with Scotch whisky pairings for each course. The menu includes all the classics, including cullen skink with house-smoked haddock, roasted haunch of Highland venison, haggis, neeps, and tatties all on offer. For those with a sweet tooth, the meal is rounded up with the rich fruit clootie pudding dessert, served with sweet, spiced 14-Year Caribbean Cask.
Four-course menu £45 per person or £75 per person with whisky pairings.
Book online or contact us on 020 3030 4050.
Fortnum and Mason
Fortnum's will be transforming its ground floor Gallery restaurant into a Scottish festive party in honour of Burns night, with a delicious Scottish menu accompanied by music, poetry and many toasts to Rabbie Burns.
Never ones to shirk from tradition, the night will begin with Selkirk Grace (the procession of the Haggis) which is swiftly followed by a four course dinner, starting with smoked salmon and soda bread and straight into Burns night must-haves Haggis, Neeps & Ayrshire Tatties with a Whisky Sauce. If that isn't enough you can also indulge in a glass of "Atholl Brose" Cranachan, a creamy mix of oatmeal brose, honey, whisky and sometimes cream. It goes without saying that each course will be paired with carefully chosen wine and whisky pairings.
The Burns Night Supper costs £82 per person.
Fortum and Mason 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER, 020 7734 8040
www.fortnumandmason.com
Mac and Wild - Burns celebrations Jan 23 - 30
Mac and Wild are going for a full week of Burns celebrations, with every night from Jan 23rd seeing a new Scottish favourite on the menu. They kicked off the celebrations last night serving new haggis delicacies daily, including haggis in the hole and haggis pops, which will be on the menu all week, including new and exciting Scottish treats. Make sure you pair them with one of their delicious whisky cocktails.
65 Great Titchfield Street, London W1, 020 7637 0510
macandwild.com
Hawsmoor Spitalfields - The Voyage of the Black Haggis, 5.30pm-till late
This is probably one of the most exciting events if you're not looking to splurge to celebrate. Hawsmoor's Spitalfields venue has teamed up with the Scottish Hendrick's Gin to bring you The Voyage of the Black Haggis. The event starts at 5.30 and guests are invited to eschew the traditional Scotch and celebrate Burns with a range of traditional Scottish snacks and Hendrick's-based cocktails.
There will be five cocktails on offer all night including the Howard Flowery that combines Hendrick's gin, rose syrup, ginger syrup, Laphroaig, lemon and egg white together, as well as the Rusty Fail that throws together Drambuie and Laphroaig with Hendrick's. You can also stock up on amazing snacks including Hawksmoors' specially made lamb veloute haggis nuggets, haggis dogs and haggis and cheese.
The best part is that this will all be free, but the event is first come, first served so get there early to guarantee entry.
Hawksmoor Spitalfields Bar, 157B Commercial St, London E1 6BJ
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