Square Meal Cocktail Guide — June 2004

Hop in the Car

On really balmy days, nothing beats escaping the capital for a nice alfresco meal in the country. Luckily, there’s plenty to choose from whichever direction you’re headed. The following options are all within easy reach of London.

Heading North

Auberge du Lac

The Cabinet at Reed

Midsummer House

Heading East

The Boatyard

The Cricketers

The Leaping Hare Vineyard

Heading South

Chewton Glen

Griffin Inn

Le Poussin at Parkhill

Heading West

Cotswold House Hotel

Inn on the Green

Riverside Brasserie

Perrier Rickey

Lime Rickey
This classic drink that dates back to around 1800 and was invented for businessmen who needed to keep their wits about them – it’s the drinking man’s non-alcoholic drink

Scarlet Smash

Scarlet Smash
A perfect example of how fresh ingredients can be blended to produce something quite special. The key to this recipe lies in using the best quality juices and fruits available

Perrier Punch

Punch & Plain
There is nothing plain about this gloriously kitsch drink but it definitely has a fruity, tangy punch to it. The extrovert ingredients ensure a commotion of flavours on the palate

Lemon Daisy

Lemon Daisy
The heady mix of lemons, the sweetness of the grenadine and the refreshing Perrier make this cocktail a year-round taste of summer and the ultimate in refreshment

Ruby Julep

Ruby Julep
This classic drink is based on the Mint Julep and brought right up to date with the distinctive flavours of white cranberry and pomegranate juices alongsde the mint

Full List of Winners

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Tio Pepe Restaurant Of The Year
Amaya

Best New Restaurant
Amaya

London Tonight Evening Standard Award
Ma Cuisine

Best British Restaurant
The Goring

Best French Restaurant
Racine

Best Italian Restaurant
Passione

Best Fish Restaurant
FishWorks

Best Indian Restaurant
Rasoi Vineet Bhatia

Best Oriental Restaurant
Roka

Best Gastropub
The Fox

Outstanding London Chef
Tong Chee Hwee (at Hakkasan)

Outstanding Front Of House Team
Le Gavroche

Outstanding Wine List
Enoteca Turi

LRA Award Of Excellence
Nobu

Outstanding Contribution
Alan Crompton-Batt

Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s

Can Christmas Day lunch get more indulgent than dining at Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s? Possibly not. The five-course, £170 meal includes dishes such as ravioli of tiger prawns and scallops with lemongrass and chive vinaigrette, roast turkey ‘properly garnished’ and Christmas pudding with creme Anglaise (not forgetting mince pies for afters). Claridge's Hotel, 55 Brook Street W1, tel: 7499 0099.

Hampton’s

Hampton’s wood-panelled dining room, overlooking the river just downstream from Hampton Court Palace, must be one of the nicest settings for Christmas Day lunch. It’ll be a traditional affair (smoked salmon, roast turkey with all the trimmings) at £90 per person for five courses. The restaurant is also open for Boxing Day lunch (£25 for three-courses). Hampton Court Road, Kent, tel: 8979 4740.

One-O-One

At One-O-One the four-course Christmas Day lunch costs £99 per person (£55 for children under ten years) and includes the likes of smoked salmon and lobster salad, brochette of scallop and sea bass with Parma ham and roasted tournedos of turkey with chestnut and bacon. There’ll be a pianist playing throughout lunch and an appearance from Father Christmas for the young 'uns. 101 William Street SW1, tel: 7290 7101.

Savoy Grill

Subtly stylish, Christmas Day lunch at the Savoy Grill is bound to be an affair to remember. £165 and five-courses later you’re almost certain to be reminiscing about the terrine of foie gras and smoked goose, the chateaubriand with Madeira truffle sauce and the raspberry and chocolate delice. The Savoy, Strand WC2, tel: 7592 1600.

Spoon at Sanderson

Spoon at Sanderson isn't just about good looks, there's also a serious kitchen at work. On Christmas Day, you could be tucking into an untraditional meal of chilled lobster with honey vinaigrette, venison fillet with truffled polenta and white and dark chocolate parfait. It's reasonable at £65 per person for three courses. Sanderson Hotel, 50 Berners Street W1, tel: 7300 1444.

Sofra

Looking for a cheap and fuss-free Christmas lunch? Then head to any oulet of the Sofra chain, where the regular menu will be serving up tasty mezze, from borek and falafel to tabbouleh and taramasalata, as well as main courses of grilled swordfish or lamb cutlets. A kids menu is also available. 36 Tavistock Street WC2, tel: 7240 3972.

More Festive Options

Click here for more festive options in the run-up to Christmas

Got It Covered

Patio heaters may have lengthened our summer but you still can’t trust the English weather, so it’s worth taking precautions when booking an alfresco table. Come rain or shine, your table’s safe from the elements at The Admiral Codrington and Glaister’s Garden Bistro in Chelsea, which both have retractable roofs. Also nearby, Dan’s has both a garden and conservatory, as does The Raven (above) in Chiswick. These, along with the likes of Terrace at the Connaught and The Terrace Restaurant at Le Meridien, should keep summer going well into autumn. Happy outdoor eating!

Hop In The Car

HOP IN THE CAR

Make great tasting drinks at home

Square Meal is very pleased to announce the launch of our online cocktail guide. Using cutting-edge technology and video streaming, we’ll teach you how to make great-tasting drinks at home. First off, we're demonstrating easy-to-make cocktails using Perrier, created by American cocktail legend Dale DeGroff and mixed by top London bartender Charlotte Voisey. Along the way, you’ll pick up useful tips on everything from making syrups at home to the best way to muddle. Look out soon for our online guides to gin and vodka cocktails.