Tucked away in the cobbled courtyards of Mayfair’s Lancashire Court is Hush, a premium restaurant and bar serving delicious modern European food and drink throughout the year. This Christmas, Hush has teamed up with The Pogues Irish Whiskey to bring a Fairytale of New York to Mayfair in a gloriously festive experience. The outside courtyard, normally a sun-filled sanctuary that one can retreat to behind Bond Street’s hustle and bustle, has been transformed into a snowy scene of Manhattan – think black and white baubles, a snowy carpet, Manhattan snow globes, and a looming Statue of Liberty in the corner.
My guest and I, regulars at Hush, chanced upon this courtyard scene one Saturday early evening and decided to stop for a warming dinner before braving the frosty walk home. Safe under the glow of heaters, we found a cosy table next to an array of baubles and fairy lights, on the snowy carpet and ordered two Hush Champagne cocktails to start. Hungry as we were, we enjoyed the olives fried in breadcrumbs ‘Milanese’ to start with whilst we perused the menu.
Changing throughout the year according to the seasons, Hush’s menu this Winter gives its New York theme a warm slice of the Big Apple with dishes like hearty copper pot Mac n Cheese, lobster ‘Delmonico’s butter cream with cognac and melba toast (invented at the eponymous New York institution in 1876) and New York cheesecake with winter berry coulis. Drinks too, are of a distinctly American twist with The Pogues Irish Whiskey offering renditions of mulled wine, old fashions and ‘proper Irish coffee’ with The Pogues Irish Whiskey, fresh coffee and double cream.For starters, my guest and I shared the absolutely excellent Iberico ham & cep croquettes with the equally delicious Dorset crab & lobster avocado salad, mopped up with the soft sourdough bread and whipped maple butter.
For the mains, my guest tried the highly recommended Cacio e Pepe pasta with ‘hedgehog’ mushrooms, pecorino, black pepper, a theatrical pasta dish made inside a hollowed out whole parmesan cheese (quite the sight to behold!) whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the tender fillet of cod with wilted spinach, saffron, and a moreish clam sauce. For the sides, I had the ever excellent Hush staple of crispy parmesan courgette fries with herb mayonnaise, and (more) creamed spinach with hollandaise nutmeg sauce. To pair, we enjoyed the house white wine of Picpoul de Pinet, from Beaugaran, Languedoc, France 2016 vintage. A refreshingly zesty, citrusy, yet pleasantly luscious white wine that worked well with the creaminess of the pasta and cod cream sauce.
Despite not being huge dessert fans, the desserts were surprisingly wonderful: my guest wolfed down the mars bar cheesecake with nutty praline ice cream, whilst I smugly savoured my hot chocolate fondant with mint ice cream. A perfect evening finish for a frosty November night.But it’s not just fantastic food that Hush has to offer these Winter nights: the restaurant is also screening classic Manhattan films in the courtyard, like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Wolf of Wall Street, Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone 2 and Love Actually. Tickets are £10 per person and make an excellent addition to the delicious dining experience.
Running through to early January, Hush’s Manhattan magic is an experience worth wandering down to Mayfair for!
Hush Mayfair
8 Lancashire Court
London
W1S 1EY
