In a show of support for the hospitality industry, the London Restaurant Festival has invited the Capital’s greatest culinary talent to create over 50 exclusive experiences alongside over 250 Festival Menus with OpenTable. It’s time to celebrate the return of the world’s most vibrant restaurant city. And to support those businesses which have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
Expect all the top restaurants to take part. From great Michelin-starred dining rooms such as Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley to the latest ‘Talk of the Town’ spots such as Andy Beynon at Behind, James Knappett at the re-opened Kitchen Table and Santiago Lastra at Kol.
The London Restaurant Festival Summer Edition will feature some new experiences including ‘Tennis at the Marina’ where guests can watch the Wimbledon Finals at a pop-up pontoon restaurant at St Katharine Docks.
Following the success of ‘LRF at-home events’ in 2020, there will be a series of interactive LRF experiences in homes nationwide. These include a wine tasting with Maison Mirabeau Rosé & Le Deli Robuchon, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Sidecar cocktail with Rémy Martin and a cocktail masterclass with Martin Miller’s Gin.
LRF will also be popping up at Goodluck Hope, the new neighbourhood island on the bank of the Thames, with a one-night-only dining experience hosted by the irrepressible Jose Pizarro.
American Express Cardmembers have an exclusive five-day presale window (3 – 7 June) and can exclusively book the Top Five cuisine events, which includes four-course tasting menus and cuisines from London’s leading Chefs.
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In addition, for the first time, there will be a specially curated programme of events available exclusively for Amex Platinum and Amex Centurion Cardmembers. These separate ‘festivals within a festival’ feature a programme of events from new openings hosted by Chef Patrons to an all-inclusive weekend of gastronomy anchored by an overnight stay in 5* luxury.
But wait, there’s more. The ‘Ultimate Gastronomic Weekends’ will return for the summer line-up, with guests enjoying stays at London’s leading hotels including The Ned and the newly-opened Great Scotland Yard. Each hotel will play host to a packed weekend of specially curated chef-led events and dining experiences – including a lunch hosted by Marcus Wareing at Michelin-starred The Berkeley.
LRF’s ‘Gourmet Odysseys’ will be upgraded to ‘Champagne Gourmet Odysseys’ and see diners journey through Mayfair and The City for an exclusive six-course lunch across three different top London restaurants.
The London Restaurant Festival’s Tasting Menus series – where restaurants are ‘taken-over’ for festival-goers to enjoy an exclusive, private LRF experience – will feature some of the most sought after chefs.
Wine pairings will feature from producers such as Luigi Bosca with their premium Argentine range, and cocktail pairings with Mount Gay Rum and London Essence. Featured restaurants include Bentley’s, Ikoyi, Delamina, and a Bruichladdich sustainability pairing with Silo.
And then, later in the year, the annual October London Restaurant Festival will return. This is but a warm and sun-filled taster of what’s to come in October. And you better take advantage of all that’s on offer – now is the time to get out and remember exactly why you live in London.
