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Tempus Hot List: December 2022
By Lauren O'Neill | 3 December 2022 | Culture, Food & Drink, Sport, Style, Travel
Tempus’ newest monthly feature rounds up the best luxury launches and events so you can be at the forefront of London’s cultural scene
If there was ever a time to be social, it's December, and with an array of world class new bars, restaurants and pop ups hitting the capital this month, there is no shortage of new experiences to be had. Each month, we'll be taking you through the seven best new luxury launches, openings, exhibitions and collaborations so you can be sure not to miss out.
Indulge in luxurious Armenian cuisine at Lusin
Armenia has landed in Mayfair in the form of sophisticated new restaurant, Lusin. Lusin, which translates to 'moon' in native tongue, is the neighbourhood's first Armenian offering, with an exciting menu curated by two Michelin-starred chef, Marcel Ravin, that pays homage to authentic Armenian dishes created by Madam Anahid Doniguian, author of the Armenian Cookbook “Yepelou Arveste.”
Signature dishes at Lusin Mayfair include the Authentic Armenian Itch, consisting of bulgar, vegetable and confit tomato, Traditional Mutabal, smoked aubergine, sesame paste and yoghurt, The Famous Cherry Kebab, grilled kebab with cherry sauce and pine nuts, and its Honey Cake, layers of honey biscuits and cream with honeycomb.
Sommelier, René Brocca, is on hand to introduce guests to a host of delicious, lesser-known Armenian varieties to uncover the flavours of traditional grapes such as Areni Noir (red) and Voskehat (white) and learn more about Armenia's fascinating history as one of the oldest wine regions in the world.
16 Hay Hill, London W1J 8NY
Illuminate a rose for a loved one at Ever After Garden
Anya Hindmarch and Camilla Morton have teamed up with The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity to light up Grosvenor Square for a third year running with their Ever After Garden. Inspired by the memory of their friend, the late art director Michael Howells, the installation is an inclusive space for visitors to reflect and pay tribute to loved ones over the festive period – where they can dedicate an illuminated rose to those they have lost, with each donation raising vital funds for the charity.
A stunning sea of over 25,000 white silk roses, the Ever After Garden has raised over £250,000 to date. Anya, a Trustee of the charity said: “Last year it was very moving to see streams of people wanting to dedicate a rose and see how the Ever After Garden has become a balm for visitors to come and remember someone they have lost. I am very proud of how the garden has resonated with so many but also raises money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, who work so hard to save and improve the lives of cancer patients through funding care and research at The Royal Marsden.”
The Ever After Garden is open to the public every day from 3pm-9pm until 23 December. Entrance is free for all, with a suggested donation of £10 to make a dedication, which can be done in person or online.
Grosvenor Square, London W1K 6LD
Hit the slopes this season with a limited edition set of Bentley skis
Bentley have teamed up with Bomber Ski for the 2022 / 23 ski season to create a new collection of equipment for the slopes, with speed, performance and elegance in mind. Each set of Bomber for Bentley ICE Edition skis, limited to 200 pairs, take 32 hours to create and use Bomber's full wood core sandwich construction, for flexibility, and feature compound and ABS sidewalls for structural support and agility.
The polished white finish of the skis is enhanced by six silver plated 3D diamond emblems – a nod to the motifs found on Bentley's latest leather upholstery – and their design allows them to adapt to multiple terrains, making them suitable for skiers of all ability and experience.
Matching accessories are available to accompany the skis, including ultra lightweight carbon and aluminium ski poles, and a Bomber for Bentley helmet designed for style and safety, featuring innovative materials and a removable fragrance release system by Oikos fragrances for added freshness.
Bomber for Bentley ICE Edition skis €2750, helmet €995 and poles €275 available from:
Slow down at Rosewood London and Glenfiddich's The Time:Capsule winter terrace
A destination known for its world-class drinks, this winter, Rosewood London plays host to a new immersive cocktail and dining experience in partnership with single malt Scotch whisky, Glenfiddich – The Time:Capsule. With the festive season ramping up, the terrace invites guests to escape the chaos of The City at Christmas and pause for a moment over a special selection of Glenfiddich cocktails curated by the hotel's Head of Mixology, Yann Bouvignies and his team – including the Reversed Coffee (Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, Evaporated Tonka & Coffee, Pandan Cream) and Sweet Hours (Glenfiddich 21 Year Old – Gran Reserva, Roasted Bee Pollen & Aloe Vera, Samphire Oloroso), and for whisky aficionados, two stunning blends from the new Glenfiddich Time Re:Imagined collection will be available by the dram – 40 Year Old ‘Cumulative Time’ and 30 Year Old ‘Suspended Time’.
Situated in Rosewood London's iconic courtyard, each detail, including the illuminated tunnel, changing visuals and subtly moving framed botanicals, has been designed to slow the pace and enjoy the moment. Throughout the duration of the terrace, decadent dishes such as smoked salmon rillettes with Exmoor caviar and warming desserts like blackberry apple crumble with Glenfiddich-infused custard will be available to enjoy.
In addition, a special selection of Glenfiddich chocolate truffles have been created in-house by Rosewood London's Executive Chef, Mark Perkins, and can be experienced as part of a tasting flight – each truffle served with a dram of the whisky with which it is infused – Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment (25ml), Glenfiddich 15yo (25ml) or Glenfiddich 21yo, Gran Reserva (25ml).
The Time:Capsule is open for visitors from from Monday – Sunday, 4pm – 10pm, until March 2023.
252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN.
Visit rosewoodhotels.com to reserve a table space.
Choose between Naughty & Nice at Nomad's subterranean bar Common Decency
For those who take their Christmas pudding with a side of sparkle, look no further than Holiday Spectacular at Common Decency. Led by Leo Robitschek and Liana Oster, the bar will play host to its inaugural festive pop-up, hosted by London drag queen Maxi More, with a delectable menu of tipples that celebrate nostalgia, tradition and classic Christmas flavours.
The showstopping cocktail menu takes its lead from the festive foods we all know and love – mince pies, chestnuts, candy canes and gingerbread – and Santa won't need to check if you're naughty or nice, you get to decide with each ingredient interpreted into two creations allowing you to choose. Choose between concoctions such as Not The Button (Jameson Black Barrel, Chivas 15yr, lemon, gingerbread gardenia, Palo Cortado Sherry, and maple, and served alongside a gingerbread man and icing for guests to garnis), Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel (Bourbon, yellow chartreuse, Punt E Mes, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, coconut, chocolate and salt) and Dasher Dancer Prancer (Japanese Whiskey, Rye, falernum, vanilla, orgeat, lime, and garnished with Reindeers).
With Maxi More at the helm, expect a playful night of spontaneous surprises and entertainment, accompanied by a 'holiday disco' soundtrack from DJs including Joshua James and Bestley.
Holiday Spectacular is on Wednesday – Saturday evenings from 6pm – 1am until 21 December.
28 Bow St, London WC2E 7AW
Sip a cocktail from 'The Maestro' at newly-opened Velvet in Corinthia London
Legendary bartender, Salvatore Calabrese, has opened the doors of his new bar, Velvet, at London's five star Corinthia hotel, which aims to bring back the 'theatre' of cocktail creation. Affectionately nicknamed 'The Maestro 'in the industry, the menu will feature a series of Calabrese's best known creations, including the Breakfast Martini and Spicy Fifty.
Housed in what was formerly Corinthia's bar Bassoon, David Collins studios are behind the opulent, glamorous interiors, featuring plush red and blue upholstery, convex mirrors, low lit lighting and accents of light gold, framed with draped velvet curtains.
Calabrese, originally from Italy's Amalfi coast, has been mixing cocktails for four decades and is the author of several best-selling cocktail books. Speaking of his new bar, he said “Corinthia London is such a glamorous hotel, and it deserves a sensational new bar,” enthused Calabrese. “We want to celebrate the magic and theatre of hospitality, with a cocktail list of sophisticated classics, that have stood the test of time, alongside modern drinks which are now well-established in the 2020s."
Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD
Experience six star Scandi dining at Studio Frantzén
Undoubtedly one of London's most exciting new restaurant launches, globally renowned six Michelin starred chef, Björn Frantzén, comes to the UK for the first time with Studio Frantzén, a restaurant, rooftop terrace and bar at Harrods.
Spanning two floors, in a custom built space, the restaurant's culinary concept is described as neo-Nordic infused with Asian influences. The offering comprises a unique combination of Swedish and Asian flavours, alongside British dishes given a Nordic or Asian twist. Keeping to Nordic tradition and techniques of smoking and preserving, grilled dishes cooked using an open fire are on offer throughout his menu.
Frantzén currently boasts six Michelin stars across his restaurants; three held by his eponymous Stockholm restaurant, which also sits at number 25 on the World's 50 Best list, as well as his second three Michelin star restaurant Zén in Singapore. Speaking of his new outpost he says, “The UK was my home for a long time, and the experience that I gained here early on my career played an informative role in my education as a chef. I am overwhelmingly proud to be back in London, one of the most interesting cities in the world."
Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL