Head to Knightsbridge to satiate those sugar cravings and discover a world of exciting, extravagant creations, writes Jane Fulcher
A sweet escape: the most decadent desserts in Knightsbridge
Everyone deserves a sweet treat now and again. Either at the end of a long, leisurely meal to round off a perfect evening, or as a singular indulgence to satisfy sugar cravings after a long day of shopping, sightseeing or hard work. As one of the most exciting culinary destinations in London, Knightsbridge has a delicious selection of mouth-watering desserts waiting to be discovered. From familiar classics to contemporary creations, work up an appetite and grab a spoon to make your experience of Knightsbridge even sweeter.
Tipsy Cake, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The Tipsy Cake with spit-roast pineapple is one of the most requested and long-serving dishes on the menu at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Inspired by a 19th-century recipe, the dish combines fluffy, light brioche drenched in a cream spiked with Sauternes and brandy and then served with caramelised pineapple, cooked for around four hours on the restaurant’s custom pineapple spit (the luckiest diners will have a good view of the pineapples cooking in the kitchen). Best enjoyed with a glass of dessert wine, this concoction combines the sharpness of pineapple perfectly with the creamy brioche – it’s no wonder it continues to be one of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant’s most iconic dishes.
Fruits, Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley
Cédric Grolet is one of the most popular chefs on social media and his most viral creation is his trompe l’oeil Sculpted Fruits – cakes that closely resemble the fruit with which they are filled. Luckily for anyone visiting Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge, they are much more than an Instagram sensation and taste just as good as they look. Choose from the true-to-life strawberry, cherry, grapefruit, apple or seasonal variations and crack through delicate white chocolate to discover layers of velvety ganache and fruit jam. A treat for all the senses, the Fruits are a truly masterful expression of modern patisserie.
Knickerbocker Glory, Kerridge's Fish & Chips, Harrods
Chef Tom Kerridge knows how to bring British traditions into the 21st century and make them as delicious as possible. His restaurant in Harrods, Kerridge’s Fish & Chips, has given the humble battered cod a luxurious upgrade while keeping it deliciously authentic, and his version of the Knickerbocker Glory follows the same path. A nostalgic treat for kids young and old, this soft-serve sundae comes in a towering glass with raspberry syrup, fresh raspberries and rich chocolate custard. It’s the perfect combination of pleasure and nostalgia, and a fantastic summertime treat.
Rasmalai, Madhu’s Brasserie at Harvey Nichols
At Madhu’s Brasserie, on the Fifth Floor of Harvey Nichols, the Rasmalai is an exquisite, aromatic dessert that comprises soft and moreish fresh milk cake, dipped in a cream sauce infused with the fragrant flavours of saffron and cardamom, and finished with slivers of almond. Madhu’s Brasserie is an outpost of the London and UK institution of Punjabi- and Kenyan-inspired Madhu’s, which includes the stalwart Mayfair restaurant and catering service to the royals of the same name. The Rasmalai balances sweet with spice to exquisite effect, the perfectly delicate end to any meal at this salubrious eatery.
Pistachio Cake, Prada Caffè at Harrods
The always fashion-forward Prada Caffè is inspired by the fashion house’s iconic stores and is decorated in the palest of pistachio greens. What better to order, therefore, than the deliciously elegant Pistachio Cake, a treat for the eyes and taste buds that combines soft pistachio sponge with rich pistachio mousse and a fine covering of pistachio glaze. It epitomises the marriage of refinement and decadence that Prada and, indeed, Knightsbridge represent. It’s also the perfect afternoon indulgence to accompany a break from work, shopping or sightseeing.
Jane Fulcher is contributing editor of drinkspiration website The Mixer
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