Biltong, Burgers and Boerewors – Try out the Bbar for fiery cocktails and a taste of SA in the heart of London
South African’s seeking a taste of home combined with lively cocktails and fine wine should head to the Bbar located next to Buckingham Palace. The stylish bar and restaurant is a hidden gem in bustling district of Victoria, just five minutes away from the station.
The light and airy space is carefully splashed with animal prints and exotic fresh flowers enabling guests to relax and dream of far-flung places.
The bistro style menu is influenced by President and Founder of the luxury Red Carnation Hotels Collection, Beatrice Tollman. Born in South Africa, favourites from her homeland include beef Biltong, Bobotie Spring Rolls, Boerewors Hot Dog and Cape Malay Chicken Curry.
For South African’s wanting to step away from well known home cooking, there are plenty of choices drawing from fresh local ingredients. A popular starter is Bea’s Chicken Noodle Soup, one of the most requested room service meals at Red Carnation Hotels; which is not at all surprising as this healthy comforting soup conjures up a wonderful sense of well being. The classic Fish and Chips with mushy peas is a British staple with crispy batter hugging a succulent fillet of white fish served with moist mushy peas.
Pasta dishes include Tiger Prawn and Chilli Linguine, with just enough zing to spice up the dish and Spaghetti Pomodoro, a simple flavoursome dish made with fresh cherry tomatoes, basil and garlic. (a popular recipe from Bea Tollman’s book A Life in Food).
The Bbar also offers a variety of salads such as Classic Caesar and Chicken Cobb; various burgers including a Salmon Burger and a veggie option and the Parmesan Crumbed Chicken Schnitzel is delicious. The Salt Beef sandwich is procured from Henson’s of Smithfield Market, who pride themselves on providing London’s best salt beef since the turn of the 19th century.
The well stocked cocktail bar provides a thriving after work scene where city folk from local business’s flock to download on their day. Serving drinks from mid day it is also the perfect spot to nip in for a treat before or after visiting nearby attractions including the Palace, the wide green open spaces of the Royal Parks including Green Park, Hyde Park and St James Park and popular nearby theatres.
Offering cocktails from all around the world, guests can either choose from South African inspired drinks such as Bushman’s Delight, Elephants Reverie, Dark Roast Amarula or Fire and Ice which combines an intoxicating blend of Lovoka Chocolate vodka served steaming hot, Lovoka Caramel vodka served ice cold and Mango vodka served spicy and flagged up as only for the brave Zulu’s amongst you!
Timeless classics include the Singapore Sling, a Dark and Stormy, traditionally popular with the navy and pirates and a staple of leisure sailors today; the Negroni created in 1919 Florence for Count Negroni and the famous Manhattan combining Canadian Club Rye whiskey, Vermouth and Angastora.
A bar snack menu offering tasty snacks will keep hunger at bay with delights such as Black Pepper Prawns, Cape Malay Chicken Satay and Peanut Sauce, Breaded Camembert with Apple and Raisin Chutney and mini Thai Fishcakes with Sweet Chilli Sauce.
Wine connoisseur’s will be thrilled with the carefully selected wine list from the Bouchard Finlayson winery located in the region of Walker Bay in a valley named Hemel-en-Aarde (meaning heaven and earth). Established in 1989, the boutique winery is just an hour and half from Cape Town behind the enchanting coastal town of Hermanus.
Renowned wine maker Peter Finlayson produces Burgundian-inspired Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays to name a few. Available in glasses, carafes or bottles there is a good selection of wines to meet all budgets.
It is also worth noting the private space and bar that is located downstairs at the Bbar, which can accommodate up to 60 guests. Upstairs can also be hired exclusively for larger gatherings. Set in a convenient central location, this is an ideal place to gather friends or colleagues for a private party. Liven things up by offering guests a cocktail master class or keep things simple with a variety of canapé or more formal dining options.
This winter South African’s craving a warm environment reminiscent of the sunny days back home, should consider the hearty Christmas lunch at the Bbar. The three course set menu acknowledges South African dishes with Grilled lamb sosaties, sweetcorn fritters and Chakalaka sauce and Potjie braised Oxtail, roasted root vegetables and pap as well as offering a traditional free range Norfolk turkey lunch with all the trimmings. There are also drinks and canapé selections to liven up the office Christmas party, just don’t blame us for any staff that may overindulge on the Fire and Ice cocktails!
