Review: Ho Ho Chiringuit-Ho – Chiringuito Christmas Menu
Chiringuito – Bethnal Green’s latest restaurant and bar addition – is instinctively inviting and down right delicious.
Deck the halls with boughs of olé and inject some spanish spirit into your Christmas at East London’s Chiringuito. Situated on the corner of Museum Gardens, Chiringuito has become the latest addition to Bethnal Green’s growing restaurant scene – a perfect destination for a cheeky brunch, a romantic evening meal and even a work Christmas party.
To celebrate making it to the middle of the week, hump day was spent in the best possible way – sipping on bubbly and munching on chorizo vino. Throughout December, Chiringuito is offering its diners a taste of Catalonian Christmas with their festive set menu which can be tasted across 2 or 3 courses.
‘Mackerel a la Plancha’ is perfectly balanced with caramelised butternut squash and Andes sauce to make a satisfying festive starter that you won’t see anywhere else. Plant lovers rejoice – no cliché risotto or beetroot salad here; instead, roasted aubergines are hit with tomato and chilli sauce before vegan cheese adds oozy indulgence.
Baby it’s cold outside, but Chiringuito’s fiery Spanish flavours and the kitchen’s impeccable technique produce knockout warming winter dishes. Meltingly soft pork belly yielded to the side of a fork is kept honest by a fragrant herb sauce. A charred half chicken is good enough that you’ll pick the bones clean long after the soft diced roots and generous sauce that come with it have gone. This is hearty, indulgent food that welcomes you in off the street and sets you up for cold nights out.
Should you find yourself with room to spare, later have some apple pie and do some caroling – or maybe just carry on drinking post dinner espresso martinis. With a free flowing drinks menu right at your fingertips, there’s always room for just a half a drink more, especially when a complimentary gingerbread espresso is thrown into the mix!
The bespoke G&Ts, huge range of local beers and international favourites are perfect for anyone looking to add some feliz to their navidad. Add in an impressive list of uniquely blended cocktails, leftfield wine choices alongside an array of craft coffees, and Chiringuito has what you need to be both merry and bright.
Lara Mills – I am a contributor for To Do List. My favourite features of offbeat London centre around cheap eating, hidden drinking destinations, photographer hotspots, city views, quiet places to work as well as the latest pop ups and exhibitions.
