Inspiration is everywhere, as every high profile film, event, and season heralds another opportunity for venues to get creative – with fantastic results.
The Chelsea Flower Show is one such occasion, which is seeing flora loving mixologists and foodies whip up some natural treats.
I was fortunate enough to sample some of the floral fare on offer at Gaucho on Sloane Avenue, just around the corner from the main event.
First up – the concoctions at Galante, the sparkling vintage bar adjoining the restaurant is hosting a parade of flavourful martinis – a different one for each day. We sampled Tuesday’s Pomegranate Martini – think an updated Cosmo with fresh fruit, a dash of Passoa garnished with an edible sprig of yellow physalis flowers.
Chelsea flower show tickets holders can exchange their stub for a cocktail. If you’d like than a passing tipple, patrons can order the specially curated Flower Show show menu, in the main dining area itself. The starter, a courgette flower, was encased in light, fluffy Japanese tempera with delicately smooth salmon mousse. The side salad peppered with varying species of flower – crunchy, sharp with a hint of onion. Given that Gaucho takes the quality of it’s Argentinian cuts of beef very seriously, the main of Vacio is very unlikely to dissapoint and if the Hibiscus Panna Cotta is anything like the heavenly cream cheese offering from the main selection, silky and unbelievably airy, then the evening will finish blissfully.
The menu is only available until the end of tomorrow – so that’s still time to sample the menu until it’s gone forever. Or possibly next year.
The menu is as follows;
Gaucho’s Chelsea Flower Show Menu
On arrival
The Buenos Aires Botanist
A crisp Tanqueray gin and Torrontes martini with sweet elderflower liqueur, fresh apple juice and a squeeze of lime
Starter
A tempura courgette flower stuffed with a smoked salmon mousse and served with a blood orange and mixed flower salad
Main
Oak-smoked Vacio, onion puree, chive flowers and a lavender and tomato chutney
Dessert
Hibiscus panna cotta served with violet sorbet
Followed by
Coffee and chocolate truffles
The Chelsea Flower show menu is available at Gaucho Sloane until Saturday 25th May, £49.95 per person.
