Espresso Martini Fest is back with more coffee and cocktails than ever, plus a Champagne brunch and a gin masterclass; here’s what’s on this weekend in London
Words Helen Brown
Things to do this weekend in London
Mr Black’s Espresso Martini Fest
Mr Black’s is back with the highly-anticipated Espresso Martini Fest. Expect more coffee and cocktails than before, plus the city’s best bartenders showcasing creative variations of the classic espresso-based cocktail. Here’s what you need to know. Â
Chiringuito
New to the east London skyline, Chiringuito brings a relaxed beach bar vibe to Bethnal Green. Overlooking the Museum Gardens, this new all-day dining bar and restaurant evokes long lazy days spent at a Spanish oceanfront bar with a menu centred around fresh Hispanic and Latin America flavours. Like a tapas bar in Barcelona, expect classic dishes like Padron Peppers, Patatas Bravas and Gambas al ajillo, along with brilliant cocktails, craft beer and coffee.
The Harrods Tea Rooms
Harrods has an all-new dining concept to showcase the excellence and extravagance of its historic food halls. Situated on the fourth floor, The Harrods Tea Rooms is the perfect pit-stop, pre, post or mid shop. On offer is an impeccable range of breakfast items including Harrods’ signature sourdough, freshly baked croissant and toasted English tea cakes; a seasonal selection of sandwiches such as the Norfolk black leg chicken club or the Burford Brown egg mayo; plus a wide variety of savoury dishes from lunch through to supper. But the best bit? Head Pastry Chef, Alistair Birt has created a decadent and indulgent cake table with a drool-worthy array of cakes, tarts and loafs to be perfectly paired with a pot of Harrods tea or coffee. Divine.
Three Girls Cook
Masterchef finalists Alison, Giovanna and Lorna, aka Three Girls Cook, are back and this time serving a colourful three-course menu of tasty seasonal vegetable dishes from Brother Marcus’ sun-soaked garden. Guests will be welcomed with a kombucha cocktail and garden snacks followed by a sweet and juicy British tomato crostini, a family sharing style summer herb frittata using Burford Browns and British asparagus, and a classic British dessert with a twist.
17-18 August, ticket link here.
Nobu Shoreditch X Veuve Clicquot Brunch
This month, Nobu Shoreditch has joined forces with Veuve Clicquot for a special Pink Brunch to celebrate Veuve Rosé. A limited and exclusive edition of Nobu’s weekend brunch will be available, with bottomless Rosé Champagne alongside a specially curated menu showcasing some of Nobu’s signature dishes. The Pink Brunch will run on Saturdays and Sundays throughout August and is £85 for two hours of unlimited access to the brunch and dessert bar, unlimited Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne and a main dish.
Gin Masterclasses
As our love for craft gin continues, Hackney’s Martello Hall and Brixton’s Canova Hall have introduced a series of Gin Masterclasses where discerning drinkers can discover the creative process behind their favoured tipple. Choose from two options; Gin Blending or Gin Cocktail Making. The fist takes guests on a full-blending gin experience, where they’ll get to try four gin cocktails, learn how to match tonics, before blending, bottling and naming two gins of their own to take home. In the Gin Cocktail Making class, guests will learn the art of cocktail making before shaking up their own concoctions and creating four bespoke gin-based cocktails.
Brunch Ivy Soho Brasserie
In a fun new brunch series, The Ivy Soho Brasserie has collaborated with Absolut Elyx to celebrate and explore Soho’s history of entertainment and theatre. For six weeks only, guests will be able to enjoy an eye-popping installation, cabaret-themed brunch series and two bespoke cocktails. Dishes include The Ivy Soho Brasserie’s well-loved brunch dishes including hot buttermilk pancakes, chicken Milanese and the iconic chocolate bombe with hot salted caramel sauce.
