Just off Park Lane you'll find this little oasis
In a nutshell
If, like us, you're always on the lookout for a hidden alfresco spot in the heart of town then we'd say the Twilight Terrace in Mayfair fits the bill perfectly. This is the alfresco space adjacent to Bar Antoine which, in turn, is the bar attached to Michelin-starred Pavyllon London at the Four Seasons on Park Lane. You can't really see it from the road at all, but it's a little oasis of calm in the heart of town.
This summer they've teamed up with Moët & Chandon to serve up a summer menu of dishes and drinks, which is why we went down to check it out.
Let's start with the drinks
There are two cocktail menus on offer here - the main Bar Antoine one along with a series of drinks created especially for the summer terrace. We tried offerings from both.
Left to right: Yellow (£20) with Oxley gin, Pineapple, passion and lapsang cordial and London Essence tonic. Plus our favourite drink of the evening, The Pursuit (£25) made with Haku Vodka, green shiso Ilegal Joven Mezcal, Sudachi, pineapple extraction and Rinomato Americano Bianco.
Celeriac martini (£25) - made with Grey Goose Vodka, La Tomato, Celeriac Cryo and Lillet Blanc. We're always intrigued by unusual martinis and this would have been great, if it hadn't suffered from being not quite cold enough to cope with the intense heat in London that evening.
What's the food like?
For the summer, the kitchen team have a dedicated outdoor dining menu that's a more simple a la carte offering than the main restaurant or bar. That said, the dishes we tried may have sounded straightforward on the menu, but were anything but.
Poached Obsiblue prawn in a shellfish jelly with watercress (£27) - startling to look at, this was a great dish for out on the terrace.
Watercress risotto with crunchy green vegetables (£26) - an exemplary risotto, made even better by that intense green sauce.
What about those swerving alcohol?
There's a lot to enjoy even if you're not on the sauce. The "Yellow" cocktail above comes from chef Yannick Alleno's homage to the G&T and all the drinks on that section of the menu can be served alcohol-free. There are also a number of 'boozeless creations' that look particularly inventive.
Overall thoughts
If you want to avoid the crowds in central London this summer and find a calm oasis to enjoy an inventive cocktail or two, then the Twilight Terrace is definitely one to put in your to-try list.
More about the Twilight Terrace at Bar Antoine
Where is it? Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Hamilton Place, London W1J 7DR
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @barantoinelondon
Hot Dinners were guests of Bar Antoine. Prices correct at time of publication.
Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners
