Bateaux London is the capital’s leading provider of restaurant dining cruises on the river Thames, whose repertoire of cruises has something for everyone and every occasion.

Guests can choose from a scheduled Lunch, Sunday Lunch Jazz, Afternoon Tea or Dinner cruise, dine in a private room or exclusively charter a vessel. If you are not ready to leave your child at home, then don’t fret children are welcomed on board for the lunch and afternoon tea cruises, but must be over the age of 12 years to join a dinner cruise.

With stunning river views, seasonal menus featuring fresh ingredients and live, unfolding entertainment there is plenty to look forward to as we stepped on to a Bateaux London cruise to join our fellow guests for a wonderful Dinner Cruise.

With daily cruise departures from Embankment Pier, which has easy access from London Waterloo, Charing Cross Main line and Embankment Underground stations, guests are taken on a journey of the Thames, past sights both old and new.

What better way to spend an evening than cruising down the Thames enjoying the sights of some of London’s favourite landmarks. The boat will take you past the Coca-Cola London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament amongst other notable landmarks along the River Thames.

Definitely recommend going for the Signature Thames Dinner Cruise – which includes all the elements to make your dinner cruise an unforgettable experience, with champagne on arrival, a window table affording spectacular views, five-course menu with wines from an elite selection and an after-dinner liqueur.

A musical blend of jazz is performed during the cruise by the resident band, which comprises of some of London’s finest musicians.

You can expect a classic British cuisine on board a Bateaux London cruise. Guests experience the energy and enthusiasm of the professional and friendly team where nothing is too much trouble. Menus are changed seasonally with a focus on fresh and sustainable produce which is sourced from quality suppliers. Below is a selection of dishes we sampled on board the Bateaux London Dinner Cruise. Together with your fellow guests on board the Symphony, no doubt you will enjoy the after-dinner dancing with an upbeat repertoire spanning five decades. With something to suit all tastes it s a nice way to spend an evening, ensuring quality time with your partner. Bateaux London’s dinner cruises are a wonderful backdrop to any celebration and offer the chance to get dressed up for a romantic dinner for two.

The fleet includes two vessels, each offering a different dimension to your experience, from a reclining glass roof to an all-glass structure and the largest observation deck on the Thames. Unique to the Thames, the Scandinavian-designed Harmony features flexible layout for dining and private dining spaces, ideal for an intimate event in a unique setting as each area benefits from large, picture frame windows affording spectacular views. A truly enchanting experience by day or by night, this is a fantastic way to enjoy London as you glide past the city’s famous landmarks. The Symphony’s all-glass structure enables guests to enjoy the magnificent views of London without interruption. Her wide expanse of glass, dark wooden flooring and sleek furniture bestow a bright and spacious atmosphere; complimented by extensive exterior viewing platforms.

Bateaux London
Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, London WC2N 6NU
020 7695 1800
www.bateauxlondon.com
@BateauxLondon

Thomas’s Café at Burberry offers calm refined elegance for any over shopped Papapreneur. It’s a spa like escape from the hustle and bustle of Regent Street just off the main thoroughfare on Vigo Street. Delivering a characteristic British, all-day dining experience, Thomas’s Café at Burberry invites diners to enjoy favourites such as the Sutton Hoo chicken salad, Bembridge lobster benedict, truffle crisps and quintessentially British afternoon tea. Thomas’s Café at Burberry embodies the British aesthetic of the Burberry brand in everything from its stylish interiors designed by The New Craftsmen to the signature dishes on the seasonal menu crafted by the chef.

Named after founder Thomas Burberry, Thomas’s Café at Burberry is located across two floors of the 121 Regent Street flagship in London with a separate entrance on Vigo Street. Café style seating downstairs overlooked by large windows and the tempting Cake Table is joined by a more formal dining space upstairs in the restaurant.

Thomas’s Café at Burberry serves an all-day menu of British classics, from breakfast to afternoon tea through to champagne and oysters. The ground floor café is great for grabbing a coffee or a quick bite to eat and the first floor restaurant is perfect for those looking to while away the time at a more leisurely pace.

The menu at Thomas’s Café at Burberry is based on the finest seasonal produce from small farmers and artisan suppliers across Britain and showcases produce such as Secret Smokehouse Salmon, Sutton Hoo Chicken, Wye Valley asparagus and British cheeses like Cropwell Bishop, Montgomery’s Cheddar and Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire.

The peaceful ambience, stylish interiors and exceptional service make Thomas’s Café at Burberry the ideal spot for working lunches, business meetings or simply a great place to share quiet conversation over a lunch with an old friend.

The lobster is a popular choice with diners – juicy succulent seafood served with chips or Benedict-style with English muffin and spinach. The Irish Carlingford oysters are an indulgent option for seafood lovers dining at Thomas’s Café at Burberry.

Also popular is the quintessentially British Afternoon Tea served later in the day at Thomas’s Café at Burberry.

This great British tradition is raised to new heights with carefully crafted cakes and superb sandwiches.

As soon as we arrived for lunch at Thomas’s Café at Burberry, we were whisked up the spiral staircase to the first floor restaurant and shown to our table by the window. As we perused the menu, we indulged in a very special tea. The A’a Black Tea from Big Island Tea Garden in Hawaii might be £20 a pot but it is worth every penny and perfect for a special occasion. Reportedly only 1000 people each year have the opportunity to taste each limited edition batch.

With a smooth, complex and well-rounded flavour profile that includes all the wonderful tastes of a black tea but without any of the tannin/oxidation flavours that require you to add milk and/or sugar, you don’t even consider it with this tea! The tea was expertly offered by the waitress who instructed us how to properly prepare and drink the tea to fully appreciate the experience.

Carlingford Oysters were the star of the show and it’s no surprise these came highly recommended. Large, plump seafood specimens that were perfect au naturel but even better with wasabi and fresh horseradish garnish taking them up to a whole other level.

What a lovely city view. The tranquillity of Thomas’s Café at Burberry contrasts with the hustle and bustle of shoppers on Regent Street below.

Cumberland baby sausages are a great opener to the meal as were the Truffle crisps. The sausages were coated with damson jam and served with English mustard. They had excellent flavour and the wonderful damson flavour worked very well with the pork meat. The truffle crisps had a fantastic taste and crunch that worked well with the flavours of the sausages.

The Smoked haddock Scotch Egg made with quail’s eggs are coated in golden crumb with a meaty texture inside and a squidgy centre. The Dijon mustard dip complemented the meaty filling. This dish was a lovely combination of fresh flavours with the lightness from the haddock along with a luscious quail’s egg.

As the Sunday sun slipped behind some clouds, we moved on to the mains. The Fish Pie is a highly recommended dish with the perfect ratio of filling to mashed potato topping.

A very popular choice is the Lobster and chips. Simple yet delicious these lobster is so fresh you can taste the subtle sweet flavours without needing to add further dressing to the dish. Thomas’s Café at Burberry really know how to do their seafood and clearly have great British suppliers so they can offer the freshest ingredients possible.

Eggs Benedict is a great choice for those who want to add some brunch vibes. The Hollandaise sauce has a beautiful creamy texture to complement perfectly cooked eggs and wafer thin ham. Thomas’s Café at Burberry pulls out all the stops and presents fantastic food that will leave you yearning for more.

For those with a sweet tooth, the short dessert menu at Thomas’s Café at Burberry still manages to offer something to please most tastes with Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart joined by a comforting Hedgerow Pudding and the show-stopping Autumn Ice Bowl with Granny Smith apple sorbet, blackberry ice cream and shortbread.

Thomas’s Café at Burberry offers an elegant oasis of calm in the heart of London’s bustling West End. Every dish on the seasonal menu is a winner from the small bites all the way through to dessert. If you’re looking for refined dining and quiet sophistication, look no further than this charming café celebrating the best of British.

Thomas’s Café at Burberry
5 Vigo St, Mayfair, London W1S 3HA
020 7806 8904
uk.burberry.com/stores/thomass-cafe/
@burberry

Very little knocks Bombay Brasserie off my top spot for delectable Indian dining but LaLiT’s Baluchi pleasantly surprised. Innovative, scrumptious and the only restaurant I know to do naan pairings with wine. If you haven’t tried it, put it on your 101 foods to try list, but possibly best enjoyed without Minipreneur unless they are ready for a wonderfully spiced meal.

Pan-Indian dining destination Baluchi offers dining with a difference – a taste of traditional India in the heart of London. Located in luxury boutique hotel, The LaLiT London, this is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city combining Indian culture with quintessential British charm.

The 120-year-old neo-baroque Tooley Street building used to be the home of 19th Century St. Olave’s Grammar School and the remaining architectural features such as the high ceilings and the original windows are reminiscent of the Victorian institution. Just a stone’s throw away from Tower Bridge, the hotel is discreetly tucked away in the heart of city and conveniently close to many of London’s stunning attractions and business hotspots.

At the helm of the kitchen at Baluchi, Executive Chef Santosh Shah has launched new autumn menus bringing fresh seasonal flavours and beautiful presentation to the table. Overseeing all food served at The LaLiT London, Santosh has also designed the High Chai menu of delicate dishes served for afternoon tea in The Gallery, and a new Indian street food menu on the hotel’s al fresco Terrace.

Inspired by the rich curries of the North-West Frontier, the fine dining restaurant pairs the best of international culinary concepts with the complex and innovative flavours of India, each dish rich with history and authenticity.

Chef Santosh has created refined dishes which simultaneously embrace and elevate traditional Indian ingredients and recipes synonymous with the North-West Frontier.

To begin our gastronomic journey, pre-dinner cocktails were served with Baluchi’s signature roasted poppadums.

We were delighted to try some of the new autumn dishes showcasing Santosh’s experimental signature style include salmon chatpati with avocado and mustard oil purée, radish and caramelised puffed rice.

Another delicious new dish is tandoori octopus and colocasia leaf terrine with clay oven-roasted baby potatoes, labneh, coriander chutney and puffed quinoa.

For our vegetarian friends, we recommend the tandoori celeriac with mint chutney, burnt apple gel, masala seeds, gun powder and coconut foam.

Chicken lovers will swoon over the succulent kaffir lime chicken tikka with its Thai-inspired flavours. The tandoor-roasted free range corn-fed chicken is served with cashew crumble and coriander chutney. This new take on the traditional starter dish was inspired by Chef Santosh’s last trip to Thailand.

Moving on to main dishes, Chef Santosh chose some highlights from his new autumn menu for us to try including a game season signature of venison served with quinoa khichdi, yoghurt sauce, salsify and beetroot powder.

We were also presented with a plate of the biggest and juicest king prawns we’ve ever seen. The tandoori prawns were full of flavour and served with samphire and sauteed spinach and moilee sauce.

Freshly baked Indian breads come straight from the dedicated Naan’ery, which stretches across the back of the lavish dining hall. Traditional Indian naans, roti, kulcha and paratha get a 21st century makeover with fillings such as potato, ceps and truffle; fig and paneer; and coconut mango. Our naans came with a surprise serving of one of Baluchi’s Founder Chairman’s favourites – tarka dal made with yellow lentils in a sauce flavoured with cumin, ginger, tomatoes and green chilli.

Another signature dish from Chef Santosh’s autumn repertoire is butter chicken. Suitable for sharing, this traditional Delhi style tandoor roasted corn-fed chicken is enrobed in a heavenly tomato and fenugreek sauce laced with the rich flavour of ghee.

The decadent desserts made by Baluchi’s talented pastry chef are not to be missed. We loved the pistachio kulfi Indian ice cream served with two of our favourite ingredients – faluda and fragrant rose syrup.

If you like cake, you will love the ginger & mint cake served with dark chocolate crumble, a fruity berry sorbet and crisp honeycomb. What a treat for anyone with a sweet tooth!

Whether you visit Baluchi for lunch or dinner, you are in for a wonderful gastronomic experience delivered in an exciting experimental style by Executive Chef Santosh Shah supported by his talented team including Chef de Cuisine Jomon Kuriakose (who recently appeared on BBC’s Celebrity Masterchef).  Baluchi is well worth a visit and will certainly live up to your culinary expectations if not exceed them.

Baluchi at The LaLiT London
181 Tooley Street, London SE1 2JR
020 3765 0000
www.thebaluchi.com/london
@BaluchiLondon @thelalitlondon

For budding papapreneurs who want to take their loved one somewhere special yet not have to rely on just the food and drink to wow, I found that places with a view never disappointed. I recently tried out Helix at the Gherkin. There was enough variety to entertain and surprise my lady including a picturesque view of London, and a tasty tipple or two for me as well.

Searcys’ iconic restaurants, Champagne bars and events have a world-renowned, long-standing reputation for quality and innovation. The first ever event caterers in the UK, founded in 1847 by John Searcy, they’ve carved out a name as brave market- leaders, launching bold, forward-thinking concepts including the original in-station Champagne bar at St Pancras, one of London’s first skyscraper restaurants, as well as cafés and restaurants in two World Heritage Sites. Their 30 plus venues across the UK, serve fresh, modern dishes that focus on sustainability, local produce and world-class service standards.

The Gherkin was the building that first changed the landscape of the new London skyline. Since then it has reasserted its architectural worth as well as its culinary credibility in the face of its new sky-high neighbours. In July 2018, Searcys at the Gherkin launched a reimagined dining and bar concept of HELIX and IRIS on levels 39 and 40 of London’s iconic Norman Foster-designed building.

The names of the restaurant and bar derive from the Gherkin’s structure itself, the helix shape which is the pinnacle of the building is an iconic sight, visible across the city. Less well known, is that when viewed from above it forms an iris shape – designed by Foster to reflect the Gherkin’s place as the eye over the city.

HELIX restaurant, located on level 39 at the iconic Gherkin offers sky-high contemporary dining at both lunch and dinner with majestic views across the city. A proud celebration of British produce in one of London’s finest landmarks, Executive Chef Daniel Loftin, previously head chef at Royal House London and Peninsula Restaurant, delivers menus that put seasonal and local produce centre stage.

Perched high above the city, this elegant, contemporary space combines big-sky views and intimate dining. Helix’s menus focus on celebrating seasonality and the best ingredients available in the British Isles, keeping Searcys’ commitment to sustainability and quality at its heart. Salmon comes directly from John Ross Jr, holders of the Queen’s warrant, in Scotland, all fruit and vegetables are sourced from the UK, and meat is locally and lovingly selected from some of the country’s finest farms.

The Dorset crab with grapefruit, soy and sesame was very flavourful and fresh. The sweetness of the crab, fruitiness of the grape and tartness of the apple were beautifully brought together by the soy and sesame sauce into probably one of the best starters I’ve had. The various flavours of the diverse components of this dish married together to create an amazing dish with its presentation as equally impressive as the taste.

Crispy pig’s head with ‘nduja, pecorino and burnt apple clearly demonstrated a mastery of both the finest British ingredients and the art of plating.

The Venison main course was beautifully presented with a lovely piece of venison. The sauce was wonderful.

Line-caught wild bass was cooked to perfection with the addition of octopus and sea vegetables adding further flavour dimension to this superb seafood dish.

The Chestnut parfait dessert had a gorgeous grouping of the many components and flavours. Light but satisfying, filled with wonderful flavours and textures. A wonderful way of ending the meal.

The Lemon tart is served in contemporary fashion with delicate meringue, sweet raspberry puree and smooth creme fraiche ice cream to create a dessert which really refreshes the palate.

Alongside the restaurant, the IRIS bar has made the epic 360° views available to the public for the very first time. Previously the site of a members-only club, IRIS is open to all and will offer an extensive cocktail menu as unique as the setting, paying homage to the London sights and neighbourhoods that can all be spied below from the Gherkin’s distinctive position.

Guests are able to reserve a space in the IRIS bar from 11am to 11pm. Searcys’ expertise in exquisite champagne, English sparkling wine and cocktails, alongside unrivalled London views, make every visit to the Iris bar a celebration. The unique cocktail menu draws inspiration from its very special view with the list overseen by Head Mixologist Federico Geniale.

Cocktails include The Little White Bird, inspired by the Kensington Gardens, with its Peter Pan associations of Violet liqueur, vanilla vodka, lychee, elderflower, lemon and English sparkling wine.

Whilst the Jack the Ripper (Mediterranean herbs vodka, beetroot juice, tomato, lemon, Worcester sauce, Mexican sauce), a dark local twist on the Bloody Mary, references Whitechapel’s most famous former visitor.

The dress code is casual elegance. HELIX lunch service is from 12pm – 2.15pm and dinner service is from 6pm – 9pm. The IRIS Bar is open from 11am to 11pm

HELIX Restaurant
Searcys at The Gherkin
30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8AP
0330 107 0816
www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
@SearcysGherkin

Gaucho at The O2 offers an exclusive sanctuary from the bustle of the legendary O2 arena with its stunning interior providing a haven of luxury amid the excitement at Greenwich Peninsula. Spread across three spectacular floors, the restaurant is a show-stopping combination of unique spaces. While the beautiful sunken seating area in the cocktail bar is the perfect setting for a pre-show drink, the opulent balcony lounge is an unbeatable place to soak up the energy of this iconic venue.

At Gaucho the beef is exclusively sourced solely from the Pampas, an area of Argentine lowlands famous for its fertile soil and home to rivers flowing from the Andes and seventeen types of grass. The Pampas is the perfect terroir for rearing this distinctive beef with every one of Gaucho’s steaks coming from Aberdeen-Angus cattle reared on this luscious grassland so guests will always experience the true taste of Argentina.

To ensure the highest quality meat, Gaucho remains closely involved with the cows throughout the farming process with their team of experts on the ground in Argentina having built strong relationships with some of the most accomplished beef farmers in the Pampas region who now produce livestock exclusively for Gaucho.

The farmers use modern technology, influenced by 150 years of farming history, and specific feeding stipulations. The cows they breed enjoy an organic and free-range lifestyle; roaming and feeding on the grassy plains of the Pampas.

Every cut of beef can be traced back to the farmer that reared the cow, so Gaucho know exactly where all the meat has come from. This commitment to quality allows the restaurant to produce the finest Argentine steak.

Gaucho at The O2 is located in the main O2 arena. As you arrive you can sit downstairs for a pre-dinner drink or just to sample delicious Gaucho cocktails with a friend. We were lucky enough to be dining so we jumped in the lift and made our way to the restaurant on the first floor.

The first thing you are shown upon arrival is the beautiful meat board showcasing the size and style of meat you will be trying if you are a steak lover.

As we settled in we ordered a fruity non-alcoholic drink and a whisky based cocktail called White Walker made from Roe & Co Irish whiskey, RumChata cream liqueur and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur – the perfect combination to satisfy my sweet tooth.

To start we tried the Cured Patagonian Red Prawn Tiradito with pickled cucumber, salsa verde and whipped crème fraîche. This starter is superb the raw prawns are tender and the natural sweetness explodes in your mouth with every bite. A light starter but one that is simple and well put together.

Another light dish well worth trying is the Seared Scallops which are served in the shell with blood pudding, spiced orange butter, charred orange, chorizo crumble and nasturtium. The texture and flavour of the scallops works well with the blood pudding and is not overwhelmed by the chorizo crumble.

We also tried the Buttermilk Fried Mollejas – sweetbreads coated in ají amarillo batter, pickled Guindilla chilli and a sweet and spicy saffron sauce. This dish was a real surprise the sweetbreads came as a generous size and tasted sublime. The saffron sauce with the chilli kick adds another dimension to this must-try dish.

For the main event we tried the Glazed Pork Belly with Pickled cabbage, celeriac, cider jus and crackling. As you would expect Gaucho really knows how to cook its meat. The pork was soft and tender and the cracking snapped in the mouth with firm texture but with ease.

My dining companion had the Tira De Ancho – a spiral-cut slow-grilled piece of beef steak with chimichurri. This piece of beef straight from Argentina is not just a special cut but a special treat. Soft and tender packed with flavour you won’t be disappointed.

For those looking for an indulgent treat, the Mac and Cheese with Spanish chorizo and ‘nduja is the perfect accompaniment to any main dish. The mac is soft but firm in texture and the meaty chorizo adds a delicate hint of flavour that will keep you coming back for more.

We highly recommend heading to Gaucho for your next steak fix to experience the true taste of Argentina right here in the capital!

Gaucho at The O2
Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX
020 8858 7711
www.gauchorestaurants.com
@gauchogroup