July and August Newsletter 2019
July 8, 2019
As we close in on the home run of our 35th year (can you believe it?) we are pleased to announce that the Restaurant will remain open throughout the Summer (please see below for specific dates) – and the Shop will be open every day in August except Sundays (again please see over for dates).
We have had a wonderful Summer so far, on both sides of the road, supported of course by some beautiful and delicious ingredients. Cantaloupe and water melons, peaches and nectarines, apricots, strawberries, raspberries and the lesser-known tayberry. Girolle mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus (now sadly gone for another year), tomatoes and some stunning flowering herbs, are all being woven into our menus, in the restaurant and the shop.
Remember that if you do not have the time to visit us in the Restaurant, the shop offers an amazing variety of dishes to take away – either to eat straight from the container, or to reheat in your own oven.  Choose from delicious grains salads, spiced chicken salads or our now famous Souffle Suissesse – ‘a restaurant quality dish in your own home’ – so much so that some (not mentioning any names here!) serve it to their guests, claiming to have made it themselves!
Our Bellini, which changes of course with the seasons, is now the ‘classic’, as in the summer we use crushed white peaches mixed with Prosecco. This, if we are lucky will continue well into September, so do come in and spoil yourself – it makes the perfect ‘aperitivo’.
As does our homemade vin d’orange which is made by our Production Kitchen in the winter months, using the juice and peel of Seville oranges, vanilla and cinnamon. After macerating for 3 months it is strained, topped up with rum and eau de vie and then served with lots of ice cubes, either before a meal or with dessert.
For those who prefer to be alcohol-free in this heat, we recommend Seedlip Garden. Completely botanical, without sugar or any ‘nasties’, when served over ice with a twist of orange and topped up with elderflower tonic, it makes a very refreshing ‘cocktail’ indeed.
As I write this our chefs are busily producing Summer Puddings – filled to the brim with soft fruits, their natural juices and a touch of sugar. They are ready almost every day in the shop, for you to take home.  All you have to do is to carefully turn it out of the container, and serve in wedges, with Ivy House Jersey cream, vanilla ice cream or my favourite, Neal’s Yard Dairy creme fraiche.
Interestingly the chefs are, at the same time, making Christmas (yes Christmas) Puddings! Packed with dried fruits, almonds, barley wine, vegetarian suet and spices. They will sit in our store room for the autumn and early winter months as they ‘improve’ in texture and taste. We will then wrap them in soft white muslin, tie them with ribbon and add our beautiful label, which gives easy-to-follow instructions on how to reheat and serve.
Before you ask – the Corner Shop plans are starting to take shape, the drawings will be signed off soon and the builders and electricians are on site almost every day now! So let’s say ‘later this year’……………that should cover it!
May we ALL wish you a very happy Summer – wherever you go, whenever you disappear. Just make sure that before you depart, your travel bags are stocked with all the necessities that you CANNOT do without while away from the safety of Kensington Church Street; granola, teas, hessian or cooler bags for picnics, oatmeal biscuits and marmalade, to suggest a few staples.   To those of you who will be returning after a few weeks of ‘rest’ at the end of the Summer, we look forward to seeing you then!   If, on the other hand you are staying in London, we very much look forward to looking after you.
Restaurant Summer dates;
Open as normal Monday – Sunday until 28th July.
Sunday Lunches – we will be closed for August – reopening on Sunday 8th September
Open for Lunch and Dinner to 17th August
Closed Sunday 18th and Monday 19th August
Open for Dinner only from Tuesday 20th August to Saturday 24th August.
Closed for the Bank Holiday weekend 25th, 26th, 27th August
Open Wednesday 28th August – Lunch and Dinner
From Thursday 29th August, open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as normal
Shop Summer dates;
Open as normal Monday – Sunday until Sunday 4th August
5th August – 24th August open 8am – 6pm Monday – Friday
and Saturday 8am – 5pm (closed Sundays)
Closed for the Bank Holiday weekend 25th and 26th August
Open Tuesday 27th August 10am – 8pm
From 28th August open as normal from 8am