This week has been a bit of a blur. One day has blended into the next as I’ve raced against the clock to get everything done. I even multi-tasked my evening on Wednesday night by catching up with Clever Friend (like really clever, PHD clever) while also bagging some much ‘needed’ tops from one of my favourite brands, Mercy Delta.
Katie’s Mercy Delta scarves
Founder of Mercy Delta, Katie Lightfoot (read more about her here) opened up her studio for one of her fabulous sample sales and – on the way to a dinner review – I popped by to wish her all things festive and grab one of her silk Ts which I could wear for the event I was hosting the following day (more of which to follow!).
a selection of stunning Mercy Delta tops
So it was wonderful to stop, breathe and chill (outside) with Clever Friend at the Churchill Hotel’s recently renovated Winter Bar on the way back. I knew that if I’d been at home I would have been working so this was a perfect excuse to walk away from the keyboard and properly catch up.
Churchill Hotel Winter Bar and Terrace
Allan Cook, the bar’s dapper manager sidled over to introduce himself. He explained that the hotel’s Winter Terrace opened last weekend, post some seriously expensive renovation and – tossing some sheepskin rugs, wool blankets, heaters and a damn good Winter Warmers cocktail menu in our direction – he left us to it.
Allan Cook, the VERY proud bar manager
I got stuck into my Churchill Martini (£15) with lurid green Sicilian olives while Clever Friend remembered (because she’s clever) that there was a car to get home and so opted for the non-potent Blood Tonic Lemonade (£8).
Clever Friend drinking Blood Tonic Lemonade
Meanwhile that sample sale blitz had left us starving, so we ordered some food.
Eating outside, we both felt that a big bowl of soup would be perfect. Clever Friend had the Lobster Bisque (£6) and I plumped for the Butternut Squash (£6).
a Churchill Martini for me
And then we shared some small plates: scotch quail eggs with tartare sauce (£8) mini aged beef burgers, mature cheddar and tomato relish (£16) and lemon sole fingres with lemon mayonnaise (£16).
mini aged burgers at Churchill Winter Terrace
The terrace felt refreshingly different, not as cold as you might imagine and definitely a potential glamorous destination. The service was amazing (this is after all a 5 star hotel) and the food delicious. So next time you’re shopping in Selfridges or partying at Home House and need to snatch a pause, head across Portman Square for a little Churchill action.
The Churchill Bar & Terrace is open til 2am.
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