Ditch the traditional January fad diets and opt for something flavoursome instead. From lighter dishes to Veganuary creations, non-alcoholic pairing menus and locally-sourced delights, here’s where to find the best wellness-led dishes in London this month
Bite into The Gladwin Brothers’ ‘Regenuary’ dishes
If you’re getting bored of Veganuary bites, The Gladwin Brothers will be serving up a tasty and sustainability driven alternative this Veganuary – a special ‘Regenuary’ menu which only uses ingredients that are made regeneratively. The set menu will be available from now until 31st January 2024 at their five farm-to-fork neighbourhood restaurants: The Shed, Rabbit, Sussex, The Fat Badger and The Black Lamb.
Harnessing a philosophy of “what grows together, goes together”, the ‘local and wild’ restaurant collection serve modern and seasonal cuisine, with menus curated around high-welfare and hand-reared meat and British produce sourced from local farmers, hedgerows and the surrounding coast. With the family vineyard in West Sussex, Nutbourne, the restaurants also showcase award-winning English wine as the perfect pairing to the dishes.
Through regenerative farming practices, we improve the resources it uses rather than destroying or depleting them. The environmentally themed six-course menu (£48pp) makes an excellent way to wile away a weekend, with dishes including Mushroom Marmite Eclairs, Rope Grown Mussels, White Wine Butter Sauce, Charred Kale, Gladwin Chorizo and Stuffed Leek Heart, Cheddar Fondue, Onion Confit, Candied Hazelnuts – amongst many other unique creations.
Where: Various locations
How: Find out more and make a booking via gladwinbrothers.com
Wallet: £48.00pp.
Order a non-alcoholic pairing menu at The Westin London City’s Mosaic restaurant
To celebrate Dry January, nunc, creators of award-winning, all-natural Jun-Kombucha, are proud to announce the launch of a limited edition pairing menu with The Westin London City’s restaurant, Mosaic, which will run throughout January. Alcohol Change has recently announced nunc as the official kombucha for Dry January 2024.
As the demand for mindful drinking and alcohol-free alternatives continues to rise, nunc and Mosaic are collaborating to launch a unique experience that provides guests with a sophisticated and refreshing alternative to the traditional alcoholic pairing menu. The limited-edition offering will allow them to indulge in a memorable dining experience where each dish on the menu is perfectly paired with a delicious Jun-Kombucha.
Highlights of the pairing menu include:
- Manuka Honey-Glazed Salmon, Sautéed Rainbow Chard, Almond Pesto, Dashi Broth – Paired with Chilli Cha Cha: The bold and spicy notes of Chilli Cha Cha perfectly accentuate the richness of the salmon, while the underlying umami flavours are balanced by the kombucha’s refreshing effervescence.
- Pan-seared Chicken Breast, Corn Purée, Wild Mushrooms, Confit Cherry Tomato, Dill, Jus Gras – Paired with Hops Monster: The robust and hoppy notes of Hops Monster work to compliment the savoury depth of the chicken, while its crisp acidity cuts through the depth of the Jus Gras, creating a harmonious balance.
- Poké Bowl with Sushi Rice, Avocado, Edamame, Cucumber, Mango, Nori – Paired with Chilli Cha Cha: Chilli Cha Cha draws out the vibrant flavours within the Poké Bowl, enhancing the freshness of the sushi rice, avocado, and mango, whilst adding a delightful spiciness to really make the dish sing.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake, Cardamom, Pumpkin Seed Ice Cream – Paired with Rose Blush: The floral notes of Rose Blush bring out the warm spices in the pumpkin cheesecake, creating a delightful dessert pairing.
When: Available throughout January 2024
Where: Mosaic Restaurant, The Westin London City, 60 Upper Thames St., London EC4V 3AD
How: Find out more and make a booking via marriott.com
Order from the Ayurvedic Menu at Benares
With many of us thinking about eating lighter in January, Benares, the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant on Berkeley Square in Mayfair, is set to launch an exciting Ayurvedic set menu.
Available from 8th January to 5th February, the new three-course set menu is centred around the Ayurvedic principles of balancing the different types of energy within the body, through spices, ingredients and textures in our food.
Drawing inspiration from the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, Sameer Taneja, Executive Chef of Benares, has curated a menu to aid the transition into the colder months. The changing of the seasons is believed to alter the state of Doshas – Pitta (Fire and Water), Vata (Air and Space) and Kapha (Earth and Water) – within the body. Vata and Kapha aggravate in winter, so the warming flavours, spices and herbs associated with Pitta are used to balance the Doshas at this time of year.
Dishes will include the likes of:
| Amuse Bouche: Winter Spiced Herb Rasam | Starter: Chestnut and Celeriac Samosa Tartlet | Main: Kale Kofta | Winter Squash Nihari, Kuttu Puri | Dessert: Goat’s Milk Rasmalai and Beetroot | Tea: Turmeric Toddy
Cost: Priced at £49pp
How: The menu is available to book between 12:00 – 14:30 for lunch and 17:30 – 18:30 for dinner. Find out more and make a booking via benaresrestaurant.com
Where: 12a Berkeley Square, London W1J 6BS
Devour the vegan set menu at Decimo
If you’re giving Veganuary a go, there’s no better place for a dose of deliciousness than Decimo. This January Decimo at The Standard, London’s sleek rooftop Spanish and Mexican restaurant, is launching a dedicated vegan set menu. The menu features tempting plant-based sharing dishes such as Marinated red peppers; Sweet potato tacos; Sand carrots; Artichokes with padina lentils and Seasonal sorbet. Think less rabbit food, more riveting dishes.
Wallet: £50pp
How: Find out more and make a booking via decimo.london
Where: 10th Floor, 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
Discover Healthy Made Simple with Deliciously Ella
Taking place on 16th January at the stylish Ham Yard Hotel, hear from best-selling food author Ella Mills, Founder of Deliciously Ella, during a special event at Ham Yard Hotel to celebrate her new release, Healthy Made Simple.
Ideal for anyone interested in both nutrition and running a successful business, Ella will be discussing the new book, her career as an entrepreneur, and why she wants to make healthy eating easy for everyone.
The talk will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. When booking, guests can make a dinner reservation to enjoy a healthy set menu that will be served in Ham Yard Restaurant.
When: Tuesday 16th January, 6:30pm – 8pm.
How: £20.00pp for a single ticket. £30.00 for a book and ticket.
Where: 1 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT
Head out for lighter mouthfuls with Ochre at The National Gallery
Feeling like Christmas was a little too overindulgent? Following the excess of Christmas, and to mark Veganuary and Dry January, Ochre at The National Gallery will be introducing a dedicated set menu priced at £35 for two courses and £50 for three courses, including a mocktail.
Featuring a starter of Delica Pumpkin Soup with King Oyster mushroom and pine oil, followed by a main course of Roast & Tempura Cauliflower with curry sauce, cashew nut and pickled ginger, and a decadent Valhrona Chocolate Mousse with pear cômpote to finish, this is perfect for a healthier but filling meal. A Non-Pisco Sour with a sage tincture will complete the evening – cheers.
Wallet: £35.00pp.
How: Find out more and make a booking via ochre.london
Where: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Sample plant-based perfection with Ekstedt at The Yard
This January, enjoy a fresh take on vegan dishes at Ekstedt at the Yard, with a focus on open-fire cooking and traditional Nordic techniques by Michelin star chef Niklas Ekstedt.
At Ekstedt at the Yard, guests can embrace Niklas’ interpretation of plant-based cooking in his first restaurant outside of Stockholm, set within the five-star Great Scotland Yard Hotel. In the new vegan offerings, the focus remains on Scandinavian technique and wood fired cooking, married with the finest British produce the seasons have to offer.
New dishes include, a Smoked potato velouté, ember baked salsify, pickled cauliflower topped with English Autumn Truffle and Fire baked cabbage, sea weed sauce, chestnuts, and charcoal cream.
How: Find out more and make a booking via ekstedtattheyard.com
Where: 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HN
Dine in the clouds with Bōkan 37
If it’s something fancy you’re after, pull out your finery for this sky high venue. Experience elevated, plant-based fine dining this Veganuary at award-winning restaurant, Bōkan 37. Set amongst the clouds, moments from Canary Wharf, enjoy a decadent seven-course vegan tasting menu, alongside mesmerising panoramic views of London’s iconic skyline.
Created by Executive Chef Robert Manea, and his talented team, the innovative vegan seven-course tasting menu puts the spotlight on fresh, seasonal produce whilst delivering spectacular surroundings.
Indulge in picture-worthy, plant-based perfection from start to finish, with delicious dishes including Delica pumpkin soup, pumpkin seeds and golden croutons; and winter truffle and black trumpet risotto before finishing with a rich blackcurrant, timur pepper and chocolate tart with ice cream.
Where: 40 Marsh Wall, London E14 9TP
Wallet: £99pp for seven-courses
How: Find out more and make a booking via bokanlondon.co.uk/restaurant
When: Available Tuesday to Saturday, last orders 9pm.
