You don’t have to celebrate Christmas the traditional way, not with the many unique spots in London that offer something a bit different to your classic turkey and tinsel. A stylish modern restaurant on Seymour Place, Christmas parties at AngloThai offer luxe touches, full-throttle flavour and a sophisticated atmosphere.
AngloThai Christmas parties are hosted Baan, a downstairs private dining room named after the Thai word for ‘home’. It’s an achingly cool space showcasing co-founder Desiree Chantarask’s knack for design and integrating features typical of Thailand’s mid-century art deco movement. Think Murano glass chandeliers, hand-carved tambour panels, and a bespoke dining table made from indigenous Chamchurri wood. All of this combines to create a timeless, warm and intimate space for Christmas parties with up to 16 guests.
While Christmas menus at AngloThai aren’t traditional, the dedication of chef and co-founder John Chantarask to seasonal British produce takes pride of place. This is best expressed on the chef’s selection menu, a six-course experience with an optional drinks pairing. Things kick off with Maldon oysters with sea buckthorn and fermented chilli, delicious banana pepper tempura with red curry sausage and laab spice, and kohlrabi with candied beetroot and duchess rapeseed.
Next, there’s Brixham crab with Exmoor caviar and coconut ash cracker, followed by wild-farmed bread with shrimp butter and Cornish shellfish. Other dishes have included lion's mane mushroom with sunflower seed satay and wild garlic is next, then Windsor Estate venison with massaman curry and quince accompanied with seasonal side dishes. Desserts also make use of seasonal ingredients like crown prince squash, matched with honey cake and pumpkin seed ice cream.
As for the drinks pairing and wine list, expect bottles from cool climate regions across central Europe - offering German, Austrian, and Hungarian wines known to pair well with punchy Thai flavours.