Father’s Day is coming up (Sunday 16th June) and we’ve popped together a selection of London’s finest bars and restaurants in which to treat your dad to cocktails, lavish lunches and even a master meat carving class to celebrate. Please do let me know if this would be of interest for inclusion in a round up or if you would like to review any of the venues mentioned below.
Simpson’s in the Strand
The historic London restaurant, Simpson’s in the Strand has hosted special occasion lunches and suppers for over 190 years. The beautiful Grand Divan, with its twinkling chandeliers, pristine table cloths and delicate piano playing in the background provides the perfect backdrop for a family dinner on Father’s Day.
The ‘Bill of Fare’ reflects back upon the steadfast dishes of the restaurant’s history including dishes such as Traditional duck and pork raised pie, pickled vegetables, mustard and dishes celebrates seasonal ingredients including English new season asparagus with sweet cured bacon and smoked Lincolnshire poacher cheese.
Simpson’s in the Strand also offers a special ‘Young Diners’ Bill of Fare which caters for its younger patrons, ensuring that family can dine out comfortably together. The Young Diner’s Bill of Fare features the highlights of the grown up menu which are all prepared with the finest British produce. It does not shy away from unusual ingredients, encouraging children to be brave and try unfamiliar flavours such as devilled eggs, wild mushrooms and pickled walnuts.
Simpson’s in the Strand champions provenance of its meat – from Daphne’s Welsh saddle lamb and 28 days dry aged roast rib of Scottish beef – and champions traditional techniques. The restaurant serves roasts from the restaurant’s antique silver-domed carving trolley where they are then masterfully carved at the table by the Master Carver. Simpson’s in the Strand also hosts meat carving classes offering the chance to learn how to carve a roast traditionally, and to learn the best practices for cooking, selecting and presenting meat. The restaurant will be hosting a class on Sunday 16th June which also includes a kitchen tour through the iconic Simpson’s in the Strand kitchen and a three-course meal where guests can show off their new-found carving skills to friends and family.
Courses £220pp (+ £60 per lunch guest) and are available to book here
Ridgeview
Founded in 1995, Ridgeview was one of the first wineries to be devoted to the production of English sparkling wine. Situated in Sussex on the South Downs of England, the winery is operated by the second generation of the Robert family. The wines have been served at Buckingham Palace State Banquets and ‘Life is for celebrating’ is the motto that Ridgeview lives by – this wise adage can be found inside the foil casing on every bottle – making it the the perfect gift for Father’s Day.
For wine-loving dads, a visit to the Ridgeview Wine Estate would make the perfect gift – vouchers for a guided tour of the vineyard and winery are available from the website here. Hosted by one of the experts from the team, guest will experience insights into the craft of creating Ridgeview’s award-winning sparkling wines, followed up by a tasting in the beautiful tasting room overlooking the South Downs.
Quaglino’s Bar
There is a word often found to be linking of fathers and Quaglino’s – legendary. This Father’s Day, Quaglino’s Bar invites you and your father figure in to enjoy the finer things in life by sharing a bottle of the new sharing cocktails available at the recently-unveiled Q Bar. Settle in to a pair of the leather bar chairs and chat over some of Quaglino’s finest serves – in this instance the Somebody To Love (Mancino Vermouth Rosso Amaranto, Orange, Lagavulin 16, Bitter, Soda) or My Way (Bulletin Bourbon, Mancino Vermouth Rosso Amaranto, Rhubarb, Jagermeister) might be particularly fitting. To book, please visit the Quaglino’s website here.
Beaufort Bar
For those looking to celebrate Father’s Day with a late- night tipple, the jet-black and burnished gold décor of the Savoy’s Beaufort Bar is the perfect location. The dark, atmospheric drinks that feature on the new menu, Music, Magic & Drama aims to distinguish the Beaufort Bar from the American Bar by elevating the hotel bar experience through a refined signature offering, including a well-chosen, in-depth whisky selection.
Expanding its representation of world whiskies, and offering small, rare batches, the whiskies at the Beaufort Bar range in style, age, region and complexity, meaning dad’s who consider themselves malt connoisseurs or mere curious neophytes, will be wowed in equal measure.
An array of exceptional bar food also accompanies the highly-acclaimed drinks menu. From 36hr steamed Chinese buns to Satay Chicken and Beef Tartar, guests will no doubt it be suitably sated whilst enjoying a collection of these world-renowned libations.
