Operators' innovative Christmas plans

Winter Pleasure Garden​

Bar operator Grand Union is decking out the al fresco terrace at its Brixton site with an 80ft marquee.

Running from the end of November until January, the Winter Pleasure Garden will include sofas, TVs, heaters, a photobooth and hundreds of twinkling fairylights.

Tree-top huts will be available to book separately.

Turkey and cranberry burgers will be served by “roaring fire pits”, along with hot toddies and mulled wine.

They will also be available at launch parties across all seven other Grand Union bars around London on 28 November.

Personalised menus​

“Blizzard free” Beach shacks will be available to hire at Brazilian bar Cocobananas, also in Battersea.

Those who hire will also have the chance to create their own personalised Christmas menus. Brazilian Brazilian bites on offer include: Rocambole – a pork belly special, stuffed with wild mushrooms and wrapped in pancetta and mortadella served on a bed of baby spinach and spicy tomato sauce, toped with crunchy pork crackling chards; and Bolino De Mandioca – crispy cassava balls.

There will even be the option of an hour-long Rodizo style pizza buffet, comprising six festive flavours, including the ‘Natal’ pizza, which is topped with turkey, toasted chestnuts, pork stuffing and oven roasted sweet potato.

Phileas pudding​

Mayfair bar Mr Fogg’s is going for a Victorian style this Christmas. In addition to warm cider, mulled wine, and themed house cocktails, there will be a Phileas pudding on offer.

The pudding includes Tanqueray Export gin, apple and lime juices mixed with fresh blackberries, Briska pomegranate cider and Fogg’s mulled wine.

Christmas Carol Menu​

The Shed, in Notting Hill, has created a Christmas Carol Menu – with each course relating to a different carol.

Known for its seasonal and locally-foraged cuisine, the £48 menu with start with dishes such as venison sausage roll, brown crab bomb, and beetroot crisp with goat’s cheese and pear jam.

Next on the menu is Let It Snow – a selection of seasonal sharing plates including wild mushrooms and carrot hummus. Mains include salmon and hake Swiss chard wellington, and roasted venison with a Brussel sprout salad.

The festive feast will end with an array of desserts, including mince pies with brandy butter.

Feasting menus​

There will be a selection of special Christmas feasting menus at Bunga Bunga, in Battersea, known for its rustic and authentic Italian affair.

Ranging from £34 for four courses, to £68 for a seven-course banquet, dishes include: pear and pecorino ravioli in a cacio e pepe Sauce; and oven-roasted whole salmon side served on a bed of baby spinach with salsa verde.

The restaurant will also offer a Buon Natale (Santa Claus) christmas pizza, and a turkey sandwich piled high with turkey, cranberry sauce and homemade stuffing.

To wash it all down, hot aperitivo and digestivo cocktails, such as the Inverno a Napoli – Italy’s fiery take on traditional mulled wine – will be served.

Partridge and pasta​

The Rabbit, in nearby Chelsea, will be offering its very own Partridge In A Pear Tree, a dish of partridge with pear and dropped pasta.

The restaurant will also have a mince pie flavoured with several ingredients, including apple brandy and veal suet.