On September 17th, world-famous designers like Nicole Farhi, Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith will descend on Somerset House for the launch of London Fashion Week. If you’re in town for the catwalk shows and need somewhere to refuel, you’re spoilt for choice with Covent Garden just moments away. Put Lupita, Dishoom and Terroirs on your To Do list and check out the LFW-themed events happening across London.
At the suitably stylish St Martins Lane Hotel, the Light Bar will be serving a ‘Front Row’ cocktail list inspired by this year’s hottest collections. Try the almost virtuous Green Tea-ni or the tropical K.M.T which is a mix of Koko
Kanu rum, Blue Curacao and pineapple juice accessorised with neon straws – a tribute to House of Holland’s clashing colours. Fans of Erdem’s delicate floral prints might enjoy the more subtle blend of gin, elderflower syrup, lemon juice and soda, topped with edible flower petals.
On our visit, the ultra-calm bar was a stark contrast to the neighbouring tourist-packed pubs, with just a few couples sipping cocktails in the dimly lit corners. It’s a seductive hidden gem, decked out in warm sunset colours, bold portraits and sleek banquettes. The bar itself is hidden behind a huge display of gorgeous glassware – an impressive feature in itself but it’s a shame that you can’t watch the talented mixologists at work.
Of the drinks we tried, the most unusual was the ‘Tommy was Wrong’ – a short drink made with Herradura Reposado Tequila, grapefruit, lime, agave syrup and red chilli. Served in an Old Fashioned glass over ice, the Tequila cut through the grapefruit bitterness and the chilli gave it a pleasantly fiery after-taste. The bar uses agave rather than sugar syrup, which will please health-conscious fashionistas, but we felt some of the drinks could have used a little extra sweetness. The best of the bunch was the Rum Tonico – a complex cocktail made with Appleton rum, lime juice, maple syrup, lemongrass, ginger, cardamom seeds and slimline tonic. Garnished with a lemongrass knot, it slipped down easily and was very well balanced – the sweetness of the maple syrup keeping the zing of the lime and ginger under control. Definitely worth a try after a hard day of bargain hunting in WC2.
Calorie counters and burrito lovers can dine side by side at Tortilla from September 17th-22nd when they’ll be serving up ‘naked’ unwrapped burritos. The low-carb option comes with the same great fillings as a burrito, just without the wrapper - think grilled chicken marinated in spicy adobo seasoning; slow cooked pork; or grilled steak on a bed of salad of crisp Romaine lettuce and ripe tomatoes. Top it off with your choice of guacamole, beans, and hot and spicy or cool and tangy dressings. During Fashion Week, models, journalists and fashion designers are invited to Tortilla for a free naked burrito when they show their fashion week pass.
At The Refinery near London Bridge, they’re celebrating their second birthday with a host of food, drink and beauty offers. If you spend over £20 on Wednesday 15th, you’ll receive a free raffle ticket for a draw taking
place at 6pm on the 17th. The winner will bag themselves a two-course meal with a bottle of wine and a cut and blow-dry at nearby O’Sullivans hair and beauty salon.
As the celebrations coincide with London Fashion Week, they will also be offering a special list of Catwalk Cocktails from 13th-23rd September. (On each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday these will be at the special birthday price of £5 after 5pm (normally £6.95). Try the Gisele Caipirinha, made with fresh kiwi, cachaça, lime and sugar; the Burberry Bramble, with fresh basil, lemon grass, gin and elderflower liqueur; or the McCartney Martini, with fresh raspberries, gin, Chambord and superfruit tea. Guaranteed to bring out your inner diva!
On September 15th, the Anise bar at Cinnamon Kitchen will be serving exotic cocktails and contemporary Indian canapés alongside beauty tips and mini-makeovers. From 6pm-8:30pm, City fashionistas can enjoy free hair consultations from Rush Hair Salon, make-up advice from Benefit Cosmetics, and the chance to win complimentary membership to Style Bible (worth £120). It’s free to attend, with a cocktail on arrival and a goodie bag to take home – all you have to do is RSVP with your name and the name of your guest to events@cinnamon-kitchen.com.
Just a stones throw from Somerset House, the Rockwell Bar at the Trafalgar Hotel will be serving some seriously stylish drinks inspired by this season’s colours and collections. Try ‘Nude Lace’, a suitably smooth mix of white chocolate liqueur, tequila and coffee, or ‘The Girl in the Camel Coat’, another tequila-based tipple with a splash of Grand Marnier and a dusting of chocolate. If you’re hungry, try their trio of chocolate, hazelnut and coconut desserts or head to nearby Terroirs for wine and charcuterie.
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