8 Limited-Edition Dishes To Try For Spring
London’s chefs have gone all out this season to launch limited-edition spring menus that capture the best of seasonal ingredients. We’re talking asparagus on menus, garden peas, fresh seafood, wild garlic and even some Thai New Year special menus. These are our picks of the best limited-edition dishes on menus in restaurants this spring:
White asparagus at German Gymnasium
Springtime in Germany is all about white asparagus, so whether you’re visiting a pizza restaurant, a sushi bar, or a fine dining restaurant, you’ll find Weisser Spargel on the menu. Each year, Chef Alex at German Gymnasium serves a delicious seasonal menu that showcases all of his favourite ways to enjoy Weisser Spargel. We love the white asparagus with hollandaise and new potatoes and there are lots of other seasonal goodies on the menu to try.
where: 1 King’s Blvd, London N1C 4BU
website: www.germangymnasium.com
Aubergine egg salad at Rosa’s Thai
If you’re missing The White Lotus, don’t miss the Songkran celebrations in London this year as the Thai restaurants in the city bring in the Thai New Year. A Handbook favourite is Rosa’s Thai, which has a Songkran family feast menu at all their restaurants. Look forward to 3-course menus that include two limited-edition specials – a fiery chicken larb salad and a vegetarian aubergine egg salad.
where: across london
website: rosasthai.com
Wild garlic velouté at Indigo
Overseen by Chef Dominic Teague, Indigo’s menu celebrates the chef’s love of the outdoors and what each season brings. Expect ingredients sourced from independent British producers who support his commitment to seasonal and sustainable cooking. From fish caught by day boats off the south coast, to ethical bean-to-bar chocolate hand-made in Cornwall, every dish is carefully crafted. A great pick on the seasonal menu is the wild garlic velouté, a great seasonal choice for starters.
Expect ingredients sourced from independent British producers.
where: 1 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BZ
website: www.onealdwych.com
White asparagus at CORD
CORD’s new spring menu is a celebration of the season’s most vibrant produce, with dishes that are as beautiful as they are flavourful. A standout is the white asparagus with morels, wild garlic and arborio rice with jasmine or go for the slow poached hen’s egg served with green asparagus, almonds, and Alsace bacon. These limited-edition dishes are available on the à la carte menu, making this the perfect time to experience spring at its finest before the season moves on.
where: 85 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AE
website: www.cordrestaurant.co.uk
Bay leaf ice cream at Ekstedt at The Yard
Located in Westminster, Ekstedt at The Yard is led by Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt and brings a delicious spring-tasting menu showcasing the best of Scandinavian open-fire cooking. Using traditional techniques, the menu features locally sourced ingredients, expertly prepared to highlight bold, smoky flavours. Highlights include the pine smoked sirloin beef with fire-cooked aubergine and pure and wild mushrooms; Cornish fish with artichoke purée; and bay leaf ice cream with fermented strawberries.
where: 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A2HN
website: www.ekstedtattheyard.com
Petrus by Gordon Ramsay
We love an indulgent dessert, and at Petrus by Gordon Ramsay, we spotted a delicious black forest with white chocolate and mandarin that looks like the perfect end to a meal. The Michelin-starred restaurant has a stunning weekday lunch menu which features cured salmon with nori, horseradish and tapioca and a lobster raviolo which looks like the perfect spring treat.
At Petrus by Gordon Ramsay, we spotted a delicious black forest dessert.
where: 1 Kinnerton St, London SW1X 8EA
website: www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com
Spring afternoon tea at Pan Pacific London
Pan Pacific London’s Maxwell Room has been transformed into a botanical oasis for their spring afternoon tea. Inspired by the hidden gardens of the Square Mile, you can look forward to seasonal specials like the honey pomegranate mousse, Isle of Mull cheddar tart, and chocolate hazelnut layer cake. Plus, you can go home with a beautifully illustrated Secret Gardens trail map and a take-home seed packet to start your own little garden.
where: 80 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AB
website: www.panpacific.com
Comté Éclairs at Le Pont de la Tour
Fresh for spring, the new menu at Le Pont de la Tour is bursting with seasonal flavours and French flair. Start with a classic soup à l’oignon, a comté eclair filled with Devon crab or smoked salmon tartine. For mains, there’s burger de crevettes, classic croque madame, a decadent confit pork belly eggs benedict and a staple steak and egg with caramelised onions on sourdough toast. For dessert, don’t miss the decadent crème brûlée French toast or the seasonal rhubarb vacherin.
where: 36D Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE
website: www.lepontdelatour.co.uk
