Swiss Dessert HOPPERS KING’S CROSS

The menu will feature exclusive dishes with bar bites and short eats such as Chilli + Curry Leaf Peanuts and Mussel Hodi + String Hoppers

On Tuesday 11th February, Hoppers, the restaurant inspired by the home cooking and roadside stalls of Sri Lanka and southern India from JKS Restaurants, will open its new restaurant in Pancras Square, King's Cross. The inspiration for Hoppers King’s Cross follows the much-travelled coastal journey from Colombo, the island's capital, down to the historical Dutch town of Galle.

Taking cues from iconic landmarks along the scenic coastal route, the interiors by Article Design Studio incorporate features from Geoffrey Bawa's Bentota Railway Station, and the

Coat of Arms Bar at Jetwing’s Lighthouse Hotel in Galle. Welcoming guests will be a centrepiece iron-clad concrete island bar, complemented by warm, terracotta-toned floors throughout the main dining area. Batik-patterned designs adorn the ceilings, a nod to the dining rooms of the Coat of Arms Bar, and the walls are decorated with traditional hand-loom fabric panels woven exclusively for Hoppers by Selyn, a Fairtrade-guaranteed company working with weavers and artists in local villages. The lighting within the space will imitate the Dutch influences throughout the town of Galle, with cast iron framed glass lanterns illuminating the main dining room. The menu will feature exclusive dishes for King's Cross with bar bites and short eats such as Chilli + Curry Leaf Peanuts; Jaffna Isso Vade with Curd Chilli; Mussel Hodi + String Hoppers; Ambulthial Cutlets and Sizzling Beef Poriyal. Alongside Curry and Grills, which are ideal for sharing, like Southern

Fish Curry; Tempered Bean +Cashew Curry; Pettah Whole Quail Curry + Quail Egg Pahe; Blue Swimmer Crab Curry and Black Pepper Curry Leaf Prawns.

Hoppers King’s Cross will feature an extended bar, where guests can stop by for drinks, bar snacks and short eats. The drinks menu will feature a selection of beers on tap, including two of Hoppers' own brewed beers - the ‘Hoppers SPL’. On the cocktail list there's sharing punches, swizzles and coolers inspired by classic 1960s Tiki-style drinks, blended with tropical flavours from the sub-continent. Guests can also order ‘tap cocktails'. Karan Gokani says, “It's been great to see London embrace Hoppers since we opened in Soho four years ago, and we look forward to continuing the journey with the opening of King's Cross. Inspired by the coastal journey from Colombo to Galle, we're looking forward to cooking more seafood and southern dishes at King's Cross. The crab curry is a dish we are particularly looking forward to having on the menu – we've spent a long time developing it - and have even managed to source live Sri Lankan blue swimmer crabs for the first time.”sunaina Sethi, co-founder of JKS Restaurants, adds, “With a bigger bar at King's Cross we've had the scope to expand Hoppers' beverage offering..”

The Movenpick Colombo recently hosted a select gathering at a High Tea to introduce the dessert lineup available for their Swiss Dessert Promotion which will go on until the 29th of February. The delectably indulgent desserts on offer are certainly worth foregoing any diet for! This saccharine heaven is certainly worth all the hype!

From the Swiss Carrot Cake to the Apple Torte, Swiss Meringue with Cream,

Schlorzifladen and Hazelnut Dessert Pie, you will find yourself spoilt for choice. There’s something for everyone - whether you prefer the well known dessert staples or are more inclined to checking out unfamiliar desserts, the items on the menu are varied, yet undeniably appealing. The Schlorzifladen, a pear tart, was an interesting dessert to start off with. The slightly sour pears worked well with the sweetness of the cream. Although it looked like it would be heavy, the tart made for a relatively light dessert. Equally light, but certainly rich, was the

Chocolate Mousse.

The airy and decadent dessert was one of my favourites of the desserts

I tasted. The best item off the menu was, without a doubt, the Hazelnut Cream Pie. The tastiest dessert, this will likely appeal to those of all ages. With a brownie-like base, the creamy hazelnut tasted heavenly! Just the right amount of sweet, it is a dessert I will happily keep going back for!

While the dessert promotion is short-lived, the Movenpick ice cream flavours are a permanent fixture, and will also be available at any of the hotel’s dining venues. Among the delightfully delicious flavours available are the Caramelita, Crème Brûlée, Maple Walnut, Stracciatella, Strawberry, Swiss Chocolate, Tiramisu and Vanilla Dream.

Parking

Available, including valet.

“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relatives.” - Oscar Wilde -