Edible displays
Eco-conscious hotel Lancaster London has decided to replace the flower displays on tables at its Island Grill restaurant with living pea shoots. The plants are designed to not only provide an unusual centre piece, but can be picked and eaten by guests as an accompaniment to meals. "Pea shoots embody sustainability and waste reduction as they can be harvested in just two to four weeks and, unlike the flowers, they will continue to grow and flourish before guests’ eyes," said a hotel spokesperson.
Christmas booking = tea
Cantonese restaurant Grand Imperial London is giving a complimentary Oriental style afternoon tea for two to event organisers who make a Christmas booking for more than 10 people by 30 September. All corporate parties booked with the luxury Cantonese restaurant before September will also receive complimentary Chinese table decorations. Crackers will be replaced with fortune cookies and chopsticks make an appearance in place of traditional silverware. The restaurant's £48 Christmas menu includes a range Hong Kong Cantonese specialities and spinach soup with lobster, a selection of dishes, including half crispy aromatic duck and prawn with chilli gong bao sauce for main and a special Grand Imperial dessert
Gardening stay
West London hotel Chiswick Moran has teamed up with neighbouring attraction Kew Gardens to provide a special two-day family package during the summer holidays. The £299 Kew Family Package is available until 4 September and includes a two-night stay in an executive family room, free in-room movies, a two-course dinner on one of the nights and free entry to Kew Gardens.
Cheese and wine
Bistro du Vin in Soho is using a tried and tested formula - a cheese and wine night - to educate and entertain customers while showing off the knowledge of its staff. The restaurant's head sommelier Romain Audrerie will join forces with La Cave a Fromage's Nicholas Broche on 16 August to match Bistro du Vin's wines to La Cave's cheeses, ranging from creamy young goats cheese, Ami du Chambertin and The King Stilton to hard cheese such as the sweet and nutty Comte. The cost of the hour and half event is £25 per person.