Christmas Newsletter

.Hello Fellow Foodie,

I hope your December has been good so far and you have had a chance to raise a glass of festive spirit along with your mince pies.

I will keep it short today as I know you are busy.

I hope you got the Christmas quiz yesterday (if not, message me, and I'll send it). I’ve added the answers at the bottom of the newsletter.

We have posted a couple of reviews so far this month. The first was lunch at the fish restaurant Estadio Milos in St James. It was my first visit, and the food was excellent.

At Milos, the quality of produce is king, and the restaurant’s centrepiece is its fish market; I must give a big thumbs up to the octopus starter, it was outstanding.

READ MILOS REVIEW HERE

The same day, after lunch at Milos, we walked lunch off and walked to the iconic Donovan Bar in Browns Hotel. Donovan's bar is rightly regarded as one of the world's best bars. Our visit was to taste “The happily ever after” range of fairytale cocktails designed by cocktail maestro Salvatore Calabrese and Frederico Pavan. The pictures below are of their “Midnight Scandal”, influenced by the fairytale Cinderella and the flamboyant whizzpop. The bar and the cocktails were a wonderful experience, so if you feel the need to spoil yourself, the bar comes highly recommended.

READ DONOVAN BAR REVIEW HERE

Latest News

The Corinthia Hotel has advised me that they have a few spaces left for New Years eve in the Velvet bar (£195pp for two glasses of Champagne and a six-course canapé menu ) as well as a great evening in this stunning bar you get a VIP position to watch the fireworks riverside. 

Hagen, the Danish espresso bar group in London, has just opened its 15th location on North Audley Street in Mayfair, and it's their biggest and most stylish spot yet!

This new bar boasts a stunning interior design and offers some truly exceptional speciality coffee, roasted with the eco-friendly Bellwether system—known for being the world's lowest-carbon coffee roaster.

 Just in time for the holiday season, Hagen is also excited to introduce their own special Gløgg! This delightful Danish-style mulled wine is perfect for warming up during the chilly months, featuring rich flavours along with almonds and raisins soaked in dark rum. It's sure to be a festive treat!

Moving forward to 23rd January, The White Horse wine bar will host a Burns Night celebration. I’m told last year's event was a hoot! For £45 per person, you’ll enjoy a cocktail, a Scottish-inspired menu, and a whisky flight. Bookings are essential.

Christmas quiz Answers

Section 1 Food

  1) c scallops 2) Meringue 3) Lamb 4) a onions 5) chicken 6) Savoy Grill 7) c Fortnum & Mason 8) b Randang

Section 2 Restaurants 

 1) Langan’s Brasserie 2) Veeraswamy 3) b 4) c The Ivy 5) Beef Wellington 6) a Rules 7)Cornwall 8) a 1974

Section 3 Drinks

1 a Kenya 2) Gin 3) sherry 4) c red Snapper 5) Port 6) France 7) Italy 8) b Vesper martini 

Final question 

c Tomatoes 

Coming Up Next Year…

The year starts with a bang with lunch at Covent Garden's new seafood restaurant, Osteria Del Mare. Next up is the legendary Sunday brunch at Bocconcino in Mayfair.

We have two new special features highlighting the Best places for Sunday lunch and breakfast in Mayfair. If you have any recommendations, please send them over.

I will be serving up some new recipes using produce from Wylde Market; if you have not heard about Wylde, please check out their website (the market is now closed but reopening in January)

As always, a big thanks for all your kind words (and the few rude ones😂)over the year. Some newsletter stats for 2024: I wrote over 13,000 words in 12 newsletters, with an open rate of 65% (I’m told this is not at all bad), and subscribers grew by a massive 289%. As always, your continued support and taking the time to read my musings are much appreciated.

Wishing you and yours the very best “foodie” Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year

Merry Christmas foodies

Martin, Mayfair Foodie

[email protected]

www.mayfairfoodie.com

Instagram @themayfairfoodie.com