WHETHER you’re a tourist or a native Londoner, a rooftop view of the city will never fail to amaze.
The Rooftop at the Trafalgar St. James is by far one of London’s finest viewing points. It allows you to see the entire skyline in addition to the neighbouring historic landmark of Trafalgar Square.
I arrived at 11:30 am on the dot, excited to try their new Blush Brunch. I was swiftly handed a crisp glass of sparkling rosé from Provence’s fantastic Maison Mirabeau wine range.
The Blush Brunch boasts an entirely exclusive pink food and drinks menu, hence the rosé. London isn’t short of themed brunches, but it’s important to emphasise that the Blush Brunch is far more than pink food and fizz. Each item on the menu incorporates the colour using a mixture of naturally pink ingredients, and it all makes for a memorable meal along with cute Instagram pictures.
Maison Mirabeau wine
Things at the rooftop are seamless, and the great service could be largely down to the fact that the rooftop is part of the Hilton hotel which takes up the building beneath. Staff assist you from the moment you step foot into the building, and you’ll never find yourself sitting around waiting for plates to be cleared or for a drinks top-up.
On that note, drinks play a huge role on the rooftop. Although the outdoor space caters for an intimate crowd, it has its own bar area where mixologists shake up a variety of house cocktails and classics.
Everything about the experience evokes Sex and the City-chic, and it is definitely the kind of place that you’d want to bring a group of friends to. For more romantic occasions, it’s worth noting that there are some quieter spots tucked away in the corner.
Sharing plates
The Rooftop at the Trafalgar St. James serves up a modern Asian fusion, which means if naturally caters to many different dietary requirements. For starters, we enjoyed a decorated plater of dumplings, pink bao buns and sushi to share whilst enjoying the sounds of London rumble beneath us.
Before we moved on, I progressed to look at the cocktail menu. In the spirit of being spontaneous, I let the bar staff choose a drink for me. They made me a Daisy cocktail which contained Tequila Blanco, Mandarin Liqueur, Pink Grapefruit, Lime Juice, Agave & Club Soda. It was bright pink in appearance, and I could see others nearby scanning their menus to order the same.
For mains, my guest ordered the pink cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and I opted for the pink pancakes, which arrived fluffily stacked. These two dishes aren’t in line with the rooftop’s usual East Asian theme, but it’s excusable as they are fitting for a quirky brunch. Vegans needn’t worry as there’s a delicious tofu glass noodle dish on the menu. The only disappointing factor is that it isn’t pink.
Pink desserts (if you have room)
Another cocktail worth ordering is the Coupette 15 which comes with vodka, lychee, aloe vera, lime juice and raspberry shrub. Just as a good cocktail should be, it was sweet and friendly on the eye and lips, but it reveals its power over time.
Portion sizes are generous, and my guest struggled to finish the burger. I, on the other hand had left nothing behind. With the main course finished, we were suitably satisfied, but we were given a pleasant surprise. Our waitress came over with two pink cones of freshly made candy floss for dessert and we were both taken back to our childhood days. Although it felt slightly more casual than the rest of the food, the gesture was appreciated as everybody loves the stuff.
If you’re after a stylish rooftop that never fails on service and doesn’t require an extreme dress code, then look no further. Just make sure you book ahead of time to guarantee yourself a table.
by Katrina Mirpuri
The Blush Brunch is available until August 31. Click here to book.