1 | For Cheese Feasts: Skate Somerset House
The climate has dropped and the thick coats are out, so there can now be no denying that winter has come. And in London, that means only one thing: ice skating at Somerset House, which has just opened. Don't worry – we all look ridiculous doing it, but it basically counts as your day's exercise and then gives you license to eat and drink to your heart's content (right?).
Once again, Fortnum & Mason are providing the food, which looks smarter than ever and comprises all good things: head into the warmth of the lodge for cheese fondue, raclette, smoked salmon, mince pies and clotted cream, supremely rich hot chocolates, and wine that is left to mull over tea lights in your own decanter.
Until 14 January
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA; somersethouse.org.uk
2 | For Thanksgiving Feasting: Red Rooster
We may be Brits, but the Thanksgiving foods are just so darned tasty that this is one American import that we can let slide. And with tomorrow being the big day, to whom else would we turn than London's favourite Harlem chef: Marcus Samuelsson.
If his ribs are good enough for Obama, they're good enough for us. So head over to Red Rooster in Shoreditch, where you can embark on an all-out feast, starting with pumpkin spiced espresso martinis and sharing platters of cornbread with honey butter and tomato jam, deviled eggs with salty chicken skin aioli, and meatballs with dumplings. And then – yes, after all that – is the main event of turkey with trimmings ancient and modern (ok so you're used to cranberry sauce, but what about sweet potatoes with marshmallows?). Leave room for Mama's Apple Pie and then waddle home to bathe in a well-earned food coma.
45 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3PT; thecurtain.com/red-rooster
3 | For Those Group Drinks: The Prince
This week saw the opening of a new super pub-come-food court named The Prince. It is on the site of what used to be The Prince of Wales pub at Brompton Crossing, which has been done up along with the buildings and gardens around it to house four restaurants, all linked up by two bars and a big eating area. With a capacity for 600 people (we kid you not), and a range of food to suit all your friends' tastes, this is the easiest possible place to organise a catch up. Especially since you can make a booking with no fee or annoying rules, regardless of how big your gaggle is.
Your food options are Thai from Begging Bowl, Vietnamese from MAM, those trusty Patty & Bun burgers (which will cure any hangover) and English comfort food from Rabbit: start off with sticky chipolatas and move onto oak smoked roast potatoes topped with gravy and cheddar.
14 Lillie Road, London, SW6 1TT; theprincelondon.com
4 | For Truffle Toasties: 45 Jermyn St.
You're still in the nick of time to enjoy truffle season (just in case you were panicking) and we advise indulging your seasonal inclination towards comfort food with a trip to 45 Jermyn St. There, you will find a very special extra section of the menu dedicated to white truffles, which encompasses all varietals of comfort food – pasta, risotto and even ice cream – all sprinkled with the most luxurious of garnishes. We're heading straight for the raclette toastie – it's made on sourdough with a generous dose of truffle-infused butter, and extra truffle is shaved onto the top in front of you. One word: winning.
Until the end of December
Corner of Jermyn Street and Duke Street, London, SW1 6DN; 45jermynst.com
5 | For Cosy Sundays: Ritorno's Campari Winter Terrace
One particularly pretty winter terrace for you to stop off at is at the end of the King's Road, outside slinky neighbourhood Italian, Ritorno. The twinkly lights wrap around the building and the tables and chairs are covered in sheepskin blankets and cushions to help you snuggle down. The barmen here are simply excellent, and have paid painstaking attention to detail, sourcing their bottles from all over Italy and coming up with subtly inventive ways of using them. You'll get lots of flavour and an element of surprise, without annoying gimmicks. Just try their house Negroni and its charred orange garnish. Out on the terrace, they have partnered with Campari to create a set of festive cocktails and every Sunday afternoon they host Dolce Domenica, where these and more are available for £7.50 and served with complimentary cicchetti and roasted chestnuts from 4pm – 9pm. How else to see out the weekend?
442 King's Road, London, SW10 0LQ; ritorno.co.uk
