It’s always a good time for tennis, but there’s no time as perfect for it in London than summer – because, Wimbledon!
The tournament of all tournaments sees the world’s top tennis player descend on London for all the good stuff until one of them outdoes them all.
Wanna watch the carnage? Of course you do. Wanna eat tennis-themed desserts? Who doesn’t.
Here’s where to go in London:
The Colton Arms in West Kensington
From 1-14 July, they’re doing a picnic hamper equipped with everything to make the day extra special, like salt beef Scotch eggs, fennel and apricot sausage rolls; artichoke, sun blushed tomato and goats cheese pasties; smoked chalk stream trout, cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches; topped off with a traditional mini Eton mess.
Get it for £25 – to pre-order your hamper for collection please call 0203 757 8050 or email info@thecoltonarms.co.uk – you can even drop by in person
The Hayden in Notting Hill
The movie didn’t do this joint enough justice, so head to The Hayden in Notting Hill to try The Ace cocktail. It’s all about a combination of Eristoff vodka, Midori, sweet & sour mix, topped with egg white and a cucumber ribbon garnish. The pub will also be screening the tournament, so you never have to miss a match. get it for £10.50 from 1-14 July.
The Waterway in Maida Vale
They’re putting on ‘The Smash’ cocktail, a delicious blend of crushed fresh strawberries shaken with Beefeater Gin, velvet falernum, coconut water, lime juice, monin grenadine and cream. Yum! Get it for £9 from 1-14 July.
Brasserie Blanc all over London
They’ve made a Strawberry Smash dessert of strawberry Vacherin with layers of meringue, Jude’s Strawberries & Cream ice cream, chantilly cream and fresh strawberries with a strawberry and champagne coulis; topped with Brasserie Blanc’s home-made strawberry marshmallows. You’ll need to play tennis after this to burn off the calories. Get if for £6.50 from 1-14 July.
Mariage Frères on King Street in Covent Garden
They normally do tea, but for Wimbledon, they’re trying something new in the form of a tennis ball-shaped lychee mousse infused with Marco Polo Rouge, outlined with white chocolate ganache. Complemented with tennis racket shaped biscuits, strawberry confit squares and crushed matcha tea biscuits to represent the green court, this is one deuce-y dessert you’ll want to make a racket about. Get it for £12 from 1-14 July.
Because watching all this tennis totally justified eating all these desserts, P.F Chang’s Grand Slam Dessert is the perfect homage to the world’s most famous tennis tournament.
It’s made of pour over hot toffee sauce and a white chocolate sphere disguised as a tennis ball, which melts away, revealing a classic British summer combination of fresh strawberries and clotted cream, with meringue and shortbread for added crunch. Get if for £7.50 from 1-14 July.
The Grafton Arms in Fitzrovia
The pub’s got a secret suntrap terrace that they’re opening up for the day, perfectly complementing the Asian menu with a limited-edition dessert of strawberry serves daifuku, made using soft and chewy mochi, filled with fresh juicy strawberries and a sweet red bean paste. Get it for £6.