Tag: "restaurants"

London – dining with a difference

Looking for somewhere unusual to have dinner? These London restaurants are sure to spark your imagination. Want some clues? Think iconic, dark and cold…(sound appealing, don’t they?)

1) Rootmaster is a restaurant with a twist – it’s an iconic double-decker bus parked in Brick Lane, east London. It may sound a little strange, but once you’ve sampled the delicious vegan food and whiled away the hours on the top deck, you’ll be smitten.

Food varies from traditional wonton wraps filled with carrot and coriander to red lentil koftas on a bed of organic rice. There’s even a mezze platter of delicious bus-made hummus, sun-dried tomatoes and hunks of fresh bread to feast on while you wait.

Prices: Mains cost from £9 and starters from £4. You can even hire the top deck of the bus for a private birthday party. Prices from £100 (max 30 people).

2) Ice Bar, London

Fancy freezing to death in a bar made of ice? No, me neither, but somehow this London bar makes the idea of being cold appealing.

Absolut Ice Bar is the UK’s only permanent bar made of ice and is kept at minus 5 degrees all year round. Fortunately, you don’t have to eat dinner there. Upstairs you can take your pick from several different bars and restaurants. Below Zero is particularly good for sharing platters, seafood and nibbles, while The Moose Dining Room is perfect for more formal dinner parties and birthday celebrations.

Once you’re ready to take the plunge, a member of staff will give you a cape-style coat (complete with gloves and hood) and you’ll get 40 minutes to browse the ice sculptures, take photos and sample colourful vodka cocktails, served in a glass of ice .

Prices: Tickets cost from £13.50 for a 40 minute session, including one cocktail. Remember, Absolut Ice Bar closes for its annual ice redesign on the 26/09/10 until 1/10/10 – so get in there quick!

3) Dans le Noir

So we’ve had an iconic London bus, and we’ve had a bar made of ice. That leaves us with… the dark.

If you’re after somewhere really unusual to impress your date, take them to Dans le Noir. This restaurant is sure to impress (and potentially scare) – so book early to avoid disappointment.

The idea? To experience what it is like to have a meal in total darkness. Blind guides help you to your seat and you are left to choose from 4 menus: the white menu is a chef’s surprise; the blue menu is for seafood lovers; the green for vegetarians; and the red for meat eaters.

Prepare to be amazed as you taste, touch and smell delicious French food – without actually knowing what it is. The best part is guessing what you’re eating – it’s surprising how many people get it wrong! On the way out, waiters show you pictures of each meal. Diners on the red menu prepare to be shocked…

Prices: Surprise menus start from £39 (for 2 courses). It may seem a little expensive, but remember you’re paying for an experience that you’ll never forget.

Looking for more unusual things to do? Head to Brighton and stay in one of these luxury boutique hotels. New York-style penthouse anyone?

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