For Christmas 2021, Ladurée Covent Garden have created a special festive set menu with cocktails, macarons and even an Advent Calendar, making it the ultimate place to go seeking some much needed festive spirit.
Tucked away upstairs past the tea rooms they have a beautiful balcony overlooking the square and this year’s Covent Garden Christmas tree. Like we were in our own Christmas tale, on the stroke of 7pm as we sat at our table, snow started to pour out of the balcony onto our table and the people in the square below. It truly was a magical moment creating pure child-like delight. As Ladurée sees its food ‘as the weaver of dreams’, I decided then and there to approach the evening with the same childhood excitement Christmas used to give me.
We started with cocktails as we watched the snow swirling around the square. Ladurée had curated two special drinks for Christmas, The Cocktail de Noel and Snowflake Martini. Both were a perfect way to start our meal. The Cocktail de Noel had a boozy almond kick from the amaretto paired beautifully with cinnamon syrup and double cream – truly Christmas in a drink. The Snowflake Martini, the star of the two, added to our festive excitement with coconut sprinkles around the glass to mimic snow along with the cocktail itself resembling the same fluffy texture.
No detail was forgotten. From the start, we were met with our own waiter for the evening which made the whole experience feel personal and trusted. Although busy, the restaurant still felt intimate. Ladurée’s set menu allows three courses for £48 per person with plenty of choices plus a glass of sparkling wine. We went for duck foie gras and La Vie en rose toast to start.
The playful and whimsical Christmas spirit came out again in my first dish of La Vie en rose toast. The warm comfort of sweet potato, vibrant reddish-pink beetroot plus green avocado slices looked like a Christmas tree when spread out. The radishes as baubles and the sprinkled seeds and nuts for fairy lights completed the story. My sister’s duck foie gras lived up to being a traditional and loyal French Christmas dish and went down just as well.
We then ordered our main courses from the set menu. The Truffle Risotto was a truffle overload and comfort we didn’t know we needed. The Pan-seared black cod with spinach and mushrooms in a champagne sauce added just the right touch of luxury.
Finally, our dessert was Ladurée’s Christmas special, the La Foret Noire Christmas Log. A blend of chocolate cream and cherry gave that important French festive twist along with their two Christmas macarons, Red Fruit Bubbly and Milk Chocolate Hazelnut – both I have since travelled back to Ladurée for. As we left, Ladurée presented their 2021 Advent calendar to me so the magic could continue and I am glad to say my Christmas excitement is officially and firmly here.
Ladurée Covent Garden is one of those places where they aim to create a unique and tailored experience each time. Whether you wish to go for romantic drinks or wish to meet friends for one last hearty meal ahead of Christmas or even to take your daughter or niece to experience a touch of Christmas magic with a hot chocolate and macaroon it is certainly worth the visit.
To discover more, visit: laduree.co.uk
Walk ins only. The festive menu is available until 31 December 2021.
Imagery courtesy of Ladurée.
View this post on Instagram