Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea at Pan Pacific London

Jade Steward

“Drawing from the flavours and symbols of her childhood, Executive Pastry Chef, Cherish Finden creates a delectable selection of sweet and savoury treats in celebration of the Lunar New Year at Pan Pacific London”

This Sunday marks the Lunar New Year, which is the first day of the first month for those following the lunar calendar around the world. To welcome the turn of the year our favourite five-star hotel, Pan Pacific London, has partnered with luxury fragrance brand Diptyque to organise a dedicated Afternoon Tea in The Orchid Lounge. This Afternoon Tea has been lovingly curated and created by award-winning, celebrity chef Cherish Finden.

Tastebud tantalising with good fortune bringing delights, weve tried the Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea and can assure you it’s as fabulous as it sounds!

After being promptly seated at an elegantly decorated table, we were met with a glass of champagne – which flowed readily throughout the afternoon. After this, we selected a speciality tea from the vast menu of rare teas sourced from four continents across the world. 

Cherish’s food was the perfect blend of scrumptious and aesthetically pleasing. The ‘Kopi Tiam’ menu innovatively fused traditional East Asian flavours with the quintessential motifs of British Afternoon Tea (think slow-poached lobster bao bun with wasabi mayo served on a three-tier cake stand). Other savoury delights included melt-in-the-mouth Singaporean Kaya Toast and a selection of Crispy Wontons, filled with aromatic duck, soba noodle and crispy tofu.

Cherish’s menu is deeply personal, drawing from the flavours of her childhood in East Asia. This is particularly true of her selection of hand-made pastries, including a smooth mousse-filled mandarin. In Chinese culture the mandarin symbolises the blessing of prosperity and well-wishes; it’s something that Cherish would gift her grandmother as a child and, in return, would be given a red packet with money.

Also on the sweet treat menu is a selection of flavours: lychee, passionfruit and chocolate desserts. Each dessert is meticulously detailed, exquisitely well-thought-out and showcases Cherish’s extraordinary skill. The lychee mousse, for example, has a delicately crafted picture of a rabbit connoting 2023 – the year of the rabbit in the lunar zodiac. This dessert is light and refreshing in flavour, compared to the depth of the caramel sponge, coated in Cherish’s signature chocolate, with a dusting of red power.

A glorious celebration of culture, not to be missed. The Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea is available in The Orchid Lounge at the Pan Pacific London until the 27th of March.

Book now!

For updates on what’s happening in the City plus exclusive offers, events and content for One City Friends, sign up for our newsletter here!

The Lord Mayor’s Show

Nicole Pottle

Want to be a part of the oldest, biggest and best free day out in London? We’ve got you covered.

The Lord Mayor’s Show is taking place from 11am this Saturday 12 November – a tradition that has ran for over 800 years! The Lord Mayor’s Show is one of the best-known annual events in London as well as one of the longest established, dating back to the 13th century.

The annual event enables the Lord Mayor to ‘show’ himself to the people across the City of London, as well as to swear an oath of allegiance to the sovereign. Expect more than 7,000 people, 200 horses and around 150 floats travelling from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justine and back. Military bands, modern business City floats, community groups and charities will also show the modern face of the Square Mil in a blaze of colour and noise.

The annually elected Lord Mayor is head of the City of London Corporation, which is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant and thriving City – exactly what we love to hear! The Lord Mayor plays a key role in ensuring the City remains a global hub for culture and commerce, so be sure not to miss this memorable day.

Luckily, there are three miles of procession so plenty to see on Saturday. However, whilst you’re in the City anyway, why not visit one of the other City attractions right on your doorstep? To help you out, we’ve listed our top suggestions whilst you’re out and about on Saturday:

Museum of London: located just round the corner of London Wall, don’t miss the chance to step through the doors one last time before they relocate. Take in all-time favourite displays from Roman London to the great Fire of London with added surprises, including interactive activities and tours.

The Barbican Centre: Sitting as Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue with a world-class art and learning organisation, your choices at The Barbican are endless, from cinema screenings to the second biggest conservatory in London, to art exhibitions and live gigs, be sure to check out their events programme on the website.

Guildhall Art Gallery: The best free historic and contemporary art gallery around! Showcasing over 350 years of Victorian art themed around everyday subjects, why not add a visit to their current exhibition ‘Inspired’ too?

One New Change: Discover over 60 premium stores and restaurants in the heart of the City including Madison’s roof top bar and restaurant and the stunning viewpoint for St. Paul’s Cathedral

The programme and a full map for Saturday can be found here, and access is free from 11am. See you there!

For updates on what’s happening in the City plus exclusive offers, events and content for One City Friends, sign up for our newsletter here!

The Golden Key: Where to Eat and Drink

Nicola Sheppey

We’re pumped for The Golden Key taking place all over the City tomorrow! Alongside the incredible line up of over 200 performers taking part in the event, The Ned, Searcys, The Skyline Bar, The Bolthole and Humble Grape are offering extended opening hours, 2for1 dining options, exclusive cocktails, complimentary beer, wine and champagne offers.

Image

The Golden Key, taking place from noon till 9pm on Saturday 15th October, is one of London’s most spectacular free events and will see the City’s most iconic landmarks including Guildhall, St Pauls and London High Walks transformed by immersive theatre, contemporary dancers and circus performers before culminating in three epic fire finales! Inside locations will include Guildhall’s ancient underground crypt, exploring London’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, with drag and cabaret acts and DJS.

Participating Bars & Restaurants: Highlights

The Ned, Hotel  | 07:00 – 02:00

Visit The Nickel Bar on the day and ask for ‘The Golden Key’, a specially created cocktail with a magical blend of Jack Daniel’s, apricot, citrus, soda at £14.

Humble Grape, Wine Bar | 15:00 – 00:00

Humble Grape are offering a complimentary glass of wine when quoting ‘Golden Key’ and purchasing something from the food menu. This small but mighty wine bar and restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere and a range of over 400 artisan wines; all sourced directly from vineyards around the world.

The Skyline Bar, Bar & Restaurant | 12:00 – 22:00

Are offering a complimentary bucket of beer or jug of Pimms with friends or family at one of London’s best rooftops. Simply state the code ‘GOLDEN KEY’ on the day of the event. Only valid for party of 8 diners or more. Valid on Saturday 15 October 2022 only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Searcys at the Gherkin, Restaurant | 12:00 – 20:30

Searcys are offering a complimentary glass of Searcys Champagne with dinner at their iconic City skyscraper restaurant in the Gherkin, with unrivalled views over London. Prebooking required.

Searcys at the Barbican, Restaurant  | 12:00 – 14:30

Searcys are also offering a 2-4-1 lunch offer at their brand new restaurant at the heart of the Barbican on 15 October. Please quote Golden Key to redeem. Pre-booking recommended, but walk-ins will be accommodated.

Adamo Spa | 09:00 – 19:00

Unwind in luxury with a signature massage or pamper yourself with a manicure or pedicure with friends. Every treatment will receive a free luxury gift.

The Bolthole, Cocktail Bar |  11:00 – 1:00

The Bolthole is an underground haven located just off Cannon Street Station. This hidden city gem houses a fantastic intimate cocktail bar and are offering 2 for 1 cocktails from their carefully curated house cocktail list on the day of the event.

Simply Fresh to Go, takeaway cafe | 08:00 – 19:00

Simply Fresh are offering a free coffee* at Simply Fresh to Go on the day of the event. Simply state the code ‘GOLDEN KEY’. *with any pastry, cake or other beverage purchase. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

 For the full list of bars & restaurants taking part please visit the Golden Key website.

One City Eats: Set Lunch at M Threadneedle Street

Nicole Pottle

Welcome back to One City Eats: blog reviews of some of our favourite meals in the City.

Lunch date? Business meeting? Early finish on Friday? Fear no more, M restaurant is just around the corner for you City-siders. Let’s put an end to exceptional food with unreachable prices.

Firstly, I want to say, I was taken aback by the suave interior of M restaurant, I won’t lie. The dim lighting, sophisticated design and state-of-the-art members-club style furnishings took my attention immediately. After being guided to our table, we were introduced to a large, spinning wheel with the name of every steak you could ever imagine. It turns out, when you can’t decide what to eat, the steak roulette chooses for you! 

But the real star of the show was the set lunch menu. From 12-4pm Monday to Friday, you can choose from a delicious menu of 2 courses for £25, or 3 courses for £30. Unbelievable value. So firstly, I started with the burrata, which I’d never had. I was positively surprised. Not only was it a match made in heaven with the house bread, it had an incredible mixture of crunchy fruits and vegetables underneath, complimenting the flavour immaculately, and was supplemented by the black curry and walnut flavour.

Secondly came my mushroom and truffle linguine. Wow, is all I can say. I love truffle at the worst of times, but this one hit differently. The pasta itself was creamy, rich, flavoursome (garlicky!), but had an unmatched, immaculate crispy parmesan covering. 10/10 for this one.

Finally, (as if I had room for anymore, but when it’s £30, can you say no?) I finished off the lunch with a honeycomb brownie. It was huge! It was decorated with raspberry gel and was accompanied by huge honeycomb pieces and Snickers ice cream. Just phenomenal.

The waiters couldn’t have been more helpful and knowledgeable on the menu if they tried – I got all the information I needed to make an informed decision on what my tastebuds would enjoy most. An unrivalled experience. You can even see the cuts of meat dry-aging in Himalayan salt chambers as part of the restaurant display, a unique feature at all three M Restaurants in London.

I’ll say it again: £30 for 3 courses. Insane! This is a multi award-winning restaurant and grill with other sites in Victoria and the newly-opened Canary Wharf. That is one hell of a price, for one hell of an experience. Totally perfect for a date, a catch up with friends, or an upgrade for your usual 121 meeting with your manager!

I totally recommend M restaurant for anyone in the area, the food was extraordinary with an exceptional atmosphere and unbeaten price. How can you say no?

To book lunch at M Threadneedle Street, click here.

For updates on what’s happening in the City plus exclusive offers, events and content for One City Friends, sign up for our newsletter here!

One City Eats: Electro Brunch at Gaucho Broadgate

Nicole Pottle

Welcome back to One City Eats: blog reviews of some of our favourite meals in the City.

We love a bottomless brunch no less than the next person. There’s no magic like getting ready full glam at 11am for a 1pm start of 90mins bottomless booze, food, friends and good vibes in the City. Gaucho is no exception to that. From the moment we were whisked underground into the boujee, Argentinian forest-inspired eatery, we knew we were going to be treated like celebrities.

Firstly, I cannot praise the staff enough. Our waitress was impeccably attentive, welcoming and professional. No drinks request was too much (or too soon!), and that really stood out to me at Gaucho. Their courtesy really welcomes you in with open arms.

We started with an elder fizz and an apple fizz. Within seconds, two gorgeous drinks were served in front of me, and there’s nothing like the first sip! The elder fizz is bitter enough to send a refreshing wave of flora through your mouth, and the apple fizz is sweet enough to leave your tastebuds smiling. Gaucho’s variety of bottomless cocktails went down almost too easily as we sipped to classic nineties and noughties house tracks mixed by their resident DJ, (and trust me, who doesn’t love bottomless cocktails).

The intriguing and exciting menu of Argentinian/English tasting dishes is tempting enough to you convince you to try the entire selection. Did we mention that food is bottomless, too? An ultimate win-win situation. Vegetarians & vegans: don’t fear. For a traditional steak restaurant, there are a plethora of options for you to indulge in. I didn’t sacrifice taste or choice as a result of my meat-free palette. My favourite dish was the chilli mushrooms on toast (which was phenomenal), and my partner’s was the steak and eggs. Come on, it is an Argentinian steak house after all. 

After being treated like royalty for 90 minutes straight, the manager was kind enough to say goodbye before we explored the delectable cocktails in the spectacular glass bar upstairs. Gaucho, we’ll be back!

To book on to an upcoming Electro Brunch at Gaucho, click here.

To see our video experience of the brunch on Instagram, keep an eye on our Instagram @onecityldn!

For updates on what’s happening in the City plus exclusive offers, events and content for One City Friends, sign up for our newsletter here!