The Ivy: dine at home

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The chic restaurant collaborates with mixologists chez vous

Could a stress-free dinner party at this time of year ever be possible? Assuredly – with a culinary dream team that combines the chefs behind The Ivy restaurant with Alexander & James, the online vendor of luxury spirits. The two have partnered this season to bring an entire dinner party to a host’s home for up to 10 guests (from £4,500, depending on numbers).

The evening starts with The Ivy canapés and a G-Fresh aperitif courtesy of Alexander & James mixologist Kenji Jesse – a mix of Ketel One Vodka, freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice and tonic water.

A three-course meal follows, served with the seamless élan of Ivy-trained staff to an elegantly dressed table. The menu is curated by Gary Lee, executive chef of The Ivy. One of the two menus begins with seared scallops with cauliflower mousseline and maple bacon crisps, accompanied by a Honey Flower cocktail – made with Tanqueray No Ten, pressed cloudy apple juice, honey water and elderflower cordial. Beef Wellington with wild mushrooms, wilted spinach and Madeira jus is matched with Johnnie Walker Black on ice with a splash of cranberry juice and bitters. Chocolate panettone crunch bombe with mandarin is served with an Old Fashioned, made with Ron Zacapa 23 rum stirred with orange zest and bitters. A half bottle of wine per person is also available for more traditional guests, with a choice of digestif: Johnnie Walker Blue, Baileys Choc Lux, Grand Marnier and Talisker 10. The second menu is a more traditional turkey feast. Lee concedes, “You do have to consider shellfish, turkey, sprouts and Christmas pudding in some guise.”  

Although it is the first time The Ivy has collaborated with Alexander & James, it’s not the first time the restaurant has gone rogue around London. “We have taken The Ivy to some pretty exciting locations – like The London Eye,” says Lee.

No need to be suspended over a view of London this season, however; these chic chez-vous dinner parties will be the talk of town.