Hello Beautiful Souls!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with love, joy, and special moments with your family and loved ones. Today’s blog post still has a touch of festive sparkle because I’m taking you along to one of my recent culinary adventures. My family and I went to Aqua Shard to try their festive lunch menu, and let me just say—it was an experience worth every penny.
A Festive Feast at Aqua Shard
Aqua Shard is known for its breathtaking views of London from one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. While their festive menu is priced on the higher side—we spent around £100 per person, including some delicious glasses of wine—the experience is truly something special if you’re looking to splurge a little this holiday season.
For context, I’ve been to Aqua Shard before for a regular lunch, which was much more affordable (around £50 per person). So, the festive pricing might be the seasonal charm!
British Christmas with a Dutch Twist
Since my family from the Netherlands joined me, I wanted them to experience a classic British-style festive lunch, and Aqua Shard delivered beautifully. We kicked things off with pigs in blankets—an ideal British holiday treat. My family loved the idea of combining crispy bacon with sausages—simple, yet oh-so-satisfying!
Starters
For my starter, I chose the Lincolnshire celeriac velouté. It was topped with shimeji mushrooms, croutons, and truffle butter—a fully vegan dish, though I must admit I picked it purely for the truffle butter (not sorry!). The flavour was rich and creamy, a perfect winter warmer.
Other options included:
- Whisky-cured salmon
- Hertfordshire goat’s curd & salt-baked beetroot
Both looked equally tempting and had glowing reviews from my family members.
Mains
For my main course, I couldn’t resist the mushroom tortellini, featuring—you guessed it—white truffle! Each bite was an explosion of earthy flavours, elevated by the luxurious aroma of truffle. If you’re a truffle lover like me, you’ll appreciate the delicate yet bold balance of this dish.
Cheese Heaven
To finish off, I went all-in on the truffle theme with the truffled Baron Bigod artisan cheese. While it was an additional supplement, it was absolutely worth it. Creamy, tangy, and decadently infused with white truffle, it was the perfect ending to a truffle-laden meal.
Wines
Though we skipped the wine pairing option, we enjoyed a few glasses of exceptional wine:
- A crisp and fresh Verdejo
- A rich and elegant Rioja Valdegar
The wines complemented the dishes wonderfully, enhancing the flavours without overpowering them.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience with stunning panoramic views of London, Aqua Shard is a must-visit. Whether for a special occasion or just a treat-yourself moment, their festive menu is a memorable way to celebrate the season. The truffle-focused dishes truly stole the show for me, but there’s something on the menu for everyone.
Have you been to Aqua Shard? If so, please let me know your favourite dish or what you’d love to try next time!
Until next time, stay festive and fabulous!
With love,
Miss Widjaja
