Disclaimer: This post features a hell of a lot of gorgeous food that will make you ridiculously hungry, a hotel that is so stunning and truly defines the phrase #InteriorGoals and a word that probably shouldn't be mentioned as early as November 2nd (but we're rebels over here on The Elle Next door so YOLO).
Said word - that produces the gag-inducing phrase Yolo, sorry about that - .... Christmas.
So why am I mentioning
the best time of year,
the best thing in existence,
the only thing worth living for Christmas so early? Well, because I was lucky enough to experience a Virgin Experience day recently where I was sent to
Gordon Ramsay's The Savoy Grill in the pinterest-worthy Savoy Hotel, for a 3 course lunch with champagne and I couldn't help but think that it would make the most
incredible Christmas gift for somebody. But if going out for a gorgeous meal/afternoon tea/dining experience isn't your thing - if it isn't, I'm not
sure we can be friends - Virgin Experience days also offer the most
unreal amount of experiences from Sky diving to spa days, sports stadium tours to dolphin watching... there really is something for everyone.
So, whatever it is that reminds you of Christmas; be it, the best Christmas gift you've ever received (that would be my maroon leather jacket that I adore, fyi), your family festive traditions (watching Scrooge every Christmas eve and laughing at my Mum who cries every.single.time), your favourite Christmas movie (err, hello Elf, looking at you!... "SANTA, OH MY GOD SANTA'S COMING, I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM"), or when Christmas officially starts for you (well, that has to be when the first influx of Vlogmas video's come out doesn't it?)... when it comes to Christmas gifts, Virgin Experience days might just be your one stop shop this year.
And now that I've sorted out your Christmas gift situation ;) it's time for me to take you on my experience. Grab a cuppa and a snack, it's time to experience The Savoy Grill...
The Savoy Grill is set in the stunning 5* Savoy Hotel which really does exude luxury and grandeur. With the most stunning water features - that ever so slightly reminded me of Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets #HPFanGirlForLife - and flower gardens outside, in addition to the most opulent marble and gold accents and flowers to rival the Liberty flower market inside, it's an experience in itself just looking around at such beauty before you even enter the restaurant.
Time to enter the Savoy Grill...
It's safe to say that the luxury of the hotel definitely doesn't end when you step into the Savoy Grill. Filled with glistening chandeliers, rosewood and mirrored walls, it made for the perfect luxurious - but also really cosy, comfortable and completely unpretentious which is so important for me - setting for what was to be a beautiful 3 course meal. Oh, and champagne, can't forget the champagne...
Before we had a chance to peruse the menu, we were greeted by a huge bread bowl which is quite possibly the worst sight for a coeliac. However after asking for gluten free menu options, my knight in shining armour i.e the waiter brought me out a bowl of gluten free bread which, I can't lie, completely made my day (it's the little things like this that really make a difference). After talking through the menu it was clear that with 99% of it being easily adapted to be gluten free, I was in for a treat.
Not much stops me from my bread bowl demolition mission but the lovely waiter - side note: every single staff member was absolutely amazing and treated us like royalty the whole time so thank you so much Claudio, Claudia and Aidan - bringing over our glass of champagne was a welcome interruption.
After spending far too long looking at the menu - forever the girl that takes an hour to decide and then panic chooses something totally different when under pressure - I opted for the spiced sweetcorn soup which was absolutely stunning. Rich, thick, creamy and full of flavour, I loved this and would definitely order if (or realistically, when) I return. The perfect autumnal starter!
My Dad - aka my ultimate partner in crime when it comes to eating out because we both go hard before going rolling home - went for the smoked ham hock and confit chicken and absolutely loved it. He said it was very "gamey" (clearly my lack of descriptive skills is hereditary) and worked perfectly with the piccalilli. And more bread, because it's pretty much the festive season now which means carbs upon carbs are a necessity, right? Right...
Then it was time for the mains...
Oh, and to top up our drinks of course...
When it came to my main, I decided to go all out with the Steak and game chips and my goodness did I pick well. I can genuinely say, the steak was the best I have ever eaten. The softest, the juiciest, the most full of flavour. I personally gave myself top daughter points for allowing my dad to try the tiniest a piece and he completely agreed that it was incredible. The chips, if I'm being totally honest, were pretty much just crisps. They still tasted absolutely delicious but I guess just not what I was expecting. Mixed with the peppercorn sauce and the side salad (which was so surprisingly tasty for a side salad), this was easily one of the best meals I've eaten.
I may have dreamt about it that night. And the night after. And the night after that. [insert heart eye'd emoji's here].
My Dad went for the Pork belly and judging by the "mmm's" and "ahhhh's" and the completely empty plate - oh, and the fact that he said it was absolutely delicious - he really enjoyed it!
Dessert time. The only thing that couldn't be made gluten free from the dessert menu was the Pear and frangipane tart... which is what my Dad went for (I'm pretty sure this is parent disowning-worthy, right?} [insert laughing/"no but seriously, I want to try everything you eat because I'm a pig" emoji here].
He absolutely loved this, said the pastry was melt in your mouth soft and the tart was just so fruity and tasty. Accompanied by the brandy sweet cream, I think this would be a fab dessert option for the people that I hate non-gluten free people of the world ;)
As much as I would've loved to have tried the tart, everything was made OK in the world when I was alerted that the Peanut butter parfait with chocolate butterscotch sauce was gluten free. I am the biggest peanut butter enthusiast - peanut butter is a religion, right? - and oh my goodness gracious me, this did not disappoint. Rich and creamy, the parfait was the perfect mixture of peanut butter and vanilla... ridiculously tasty without being overly sickly. With peanut butter chips and the addition of a pot of chocolate sauce - which came in the most Blogger friendly copper pot - which I definitely didn't spoon at the end *guilty face*, this dessert will be one that I definitely won't forget for a very long time.
And because no beautiful meal is complete without a coffee - and the fact that we were definitely minutes away from a full on food coma - we ended with a latte. And the cutest petite fours (that I couldn't eat but made for the perfect Instagram anyway, so there's that...)
I have to say a huge Thank You to
Virgin Experience days and The Savoy grill for not only treating us to one of the most luxurious, delicious and unforgettable dining experiences, but also really capturing the idea of Christmas. Because for me, Christmas isn't about the most expensive gifts (although if you're offering...), it's about spending quality time with the people that matter the most to you. And that's exactly what I got to do this day.
As always, thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this post!
xx
*This post is in collaboration with Virgin Experience days. All thoughts, photography and love of peanut butter desserts and Dad and daughter time, my own.
Labels: celiac, Coeliac, Gluten free, Gordon Ramsay's savoy grill, London gluten free, The Savoy
