New Years Eve
So it’s NYE in London and we head off for our night of celebrations and pass the beautiful Fortnum & Mason building which reflects the year that was. 2021 is a year that was full of closed borders, public health restrictions and other pandemic related chaos… but I am sad to say goodbye to it as it was the year we got married and it will always be special for us.
Claridge’s Bar
We did contemplate a more elaborate celebration, however most events were curtailed in London due to the Omicron outbreak and we had a pre-departure test (to get back into Australia) in a couple days which meant we were keen to avoid large crowds until the testing day.
If there’s a bar in the world I love it’s Claridge’s Bar. It has its charm with beautiful leather backed chairs, an inviting bar area, varnished tables and dimmed lights – the perfect ambiance. The service is lovely with snacks brought out with every drink and I do love their list of cocktails and they have a pretty extensive wine selection. I thought it would be the perfect spot to spend NYE.
The Chef’s Dozen with Cocktails
I pretty much have dish every time I’m at Claridge’s (with a a couple of exceptions I think). It’s the perfect way to spend an evening, a selection of beautiful snacks paired with choice cocktails or a selection from the wine list.
The Chef’s Dozen has the Cornish crab & tuna with caviar tartlet, Beetroot wonton, Duck rolls, peppered blackberry sauce and Tempura prawns, chilli, carrot and soy dip.
The selection is wonderful and a good balance flavours and textures. The tartlet has a crumbly base with a beautiful flakey crab, jelly-like tuna and salinity of the caviar. I did adore the duck rolls as well with its crisp casing and pull-apart duck meat and the sticky blackberry sauce. Of course over all the years, the tempura prawns are always a keeper with the bite of the chilli dip.
We both select cocktails to start. I opt for the strong hit of The Mayfair, while Alex opts for the Elderflower & Orange.
Truffle Fries, Wine & Champagne
We continue our night with decadent truffle fries and a bottle of Château Haut-Beauséjour (2014), Saint-Estèphe.
As we the new year approaches, Alex opts for a glass of Laurent-Perrier “La Cuvée” while stay with the Bordeaux as we celebrate the end to a wonderful year… but hope next year is less chaotic and full of more travels. I think everyone can cheers to that!
I can’t think of a better way to spend the last night of 2021 than at Claridge’s Bar. The service was flawless, the food was always a delight and it was the perfect spot for wine and cocktails to celebrate the New Year!