Tucked away on Bruton Place is where you’ll find Bellamy’s, Her Maj’s most visited restaurant, where she has donned her finest co-ords and dined for events including her own 80th birthday and, most recently, an intimate supper with Princess Anne and cousin Princess Alexandra in 2016. Named after the gentlemen’s club in Evelyn Waugh’s Sword of Honour books, its doors were opened in 2004 by long-standing proprietor and master of discretion, Gavin Rankin. Since then, the appearance of the 65-seat French brasserie has barely changed.
The definition of smart-casual, around the bustling room, constantly tinkling with the sound of cutlery, you’ll find diners wearing jeans on one table and dinner jackets on another. The menu, Rankin says, is ‘a classic French brasserie style with small twists for modern tastes. It’s all about the quality of the ingredients. There are no elaborate sauces to hide behind, dishes are naked under the spotlight.’ Chef Stéphane Pacoud’s long-time staples include a smoked eel mouse — rumoured to have been enjoyed by Queenie herself — iced lobster soufflé and sliced entrecote, all designed to be served with the spot’s bold, exclusively French wine list.
Though not everything is priced for royal pockets: Pacoud’s three-course set menu is a modest £33, while a glass of La Combe de Château Grinou Bergerac 2020 and potted shrimp open sandwich at the bar is likely half the cost of a Whole Foods takeaway (and far more delicious). Martinis, oysters and very long lunches are, apparently, encouraged, as are corgis — so long as they don’t bite. 18 Bruton Place, W1
ONE, TWO, JUBILEE
Throw a royally spiffing party with these marvellous nibbles and tipples
THE FIZZ
First up: champers. And what says ‘I’m a better host than you’ more than a jeroboam (that’s three whole litres) of Moët & Chandon Impérial Platinum Jubilee Cuvée?
£320, clos19.com
THE CAKE
Let them eat cake… said another, albeit very different, queen. But, still, your guests will adore the Hummingbird Bakery Vanilla & Raspberry Jubilee Cake.
£37.95, hummingbirdbakery.com
THE HAMPER
The Queen doesn’t cook, so why should you? Have the Pique x The Uncommon Jubilee Hamper — complete with finger sandwiches, sausage rolls, Scotch eggs and much more — delivered.
From £60 piquefood.co.uk
TO HER MAJ
Douglas Blyde knows the very best sips to toast with
What better way to commemorate the jubilee than by raising our overflowing cups? I’d highly recommend beginning the weekend with a blood orange scented Doe Eyed Queen Rosé, a sparkler reaped from the steep slopes of the Hundred Hills estate north of Henley, a landscape once owned by royal photographer, Norman Parkinson. Sustainably certified and vegan, enjoy it over a Jubilee brunch at Queens of Mayfair, or order it from Hedonism.
Stop by the majestic bar and veranda of The Goring beside Buckingham Palace, where head bartender Tiago Mira has revamped the historic Coronation Cup cocktail to mark QEII’s ascension to the throne. It stars Dubonnet, the Queen Mother’s favourite liqueur, alongside Berkshire sloe gin, pomegranate, rosebuds, plums and bitters.
And, finally, sip on the Buckingham Palace Dry Gin which highlights ingredients from the grounds of the palace itself. It’s best sipped as a Martini or with just a splash of tonic from a crown-engraved crystal glass which, along with the gin, is available from the Royal Collection shop. Cin cin! (hedonism.co.uk; thegoring.com; royalcollectionshop.co.uk)
LET THEM BE MA’AM
Treat someone special to one of these very regal afternoon teas
BELMOND BRITISH PULLMAN
What could be more satisfying than washing down Claire Clark’s Luminary fare with some bubbly? Doing so on a Belmond train, that’s what. From £340 (belmond.com)
LILY VANILLI
Indulge in the magnificence of the Grand Saloon at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with smoked salmon madeleines and scones that HRH would surelyapprove of. From £49 (thelane.co.uk)
FORTNUM & MASON
There is little more splendid than finger sandwiches and tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon; which Liz opened back in 2012, no less. From £70 (fortnumandmason.com)
