LUXE DINING

SPRING

Tucked away within central London’s grand Somerset House is Aussie native Skye Gyngell’s undeniably cool Spring restaurant. We’re here for the three-course Scratch Menu, inspired by the idea of whipping up dinner from scratch from whatever odds and ends are left in the fridge and pantry. Our menu starts with nettle arancini with asparagus salad, followed by melt-in-your-mouth beef kofta with beetroot tops, and coffee and prune millionaire’s shortbread to finish. Each dish is uncomplicated yet innovative and if I had not been told about the idea behind Scratch I would have been none the wiser.

HIDE

London’s Hide was one of the biggest launches of 2018: rumour has it the owner spent around A$37 million dollars on its opening. It’s easy to see what all the fuss is about. Its Instagram-famous sinewy oak staircase marries the restaurant’s three levels – Above, Ground and Below. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Ollie Dabbous, it’s almost a given that his menu will match Hide’s impressive surrounds. My crab tartlet is like a work of art. Likewise, the main course of wild salmon is just as impressive to look at as it is to savour. Oh, and there are also a mind-boggling 6000 wines on offer.