Can we all just take a moment to appreciate what a delight it is that there’s an actual day in our calendars, solely dedicated to celebrating pancakes (albeit to mark the Christian period of Lent)?
Can we also appreciate how coincidental it is that Pancake Day, Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year all happen to fall in the same week this year? So, if you’re ready to eat your way into oblivion, we’re right behind you. So much so, that we saw it only right and fitting to round up the best places in London that serve the yummiest pancakes this week, just in time for the very, very special day.
Ice Cream Pancakes at Polo Bar
Liverpool Street’s 24-hour favourite; Polo Bar, has teamed up with premium, British ice cream brand, Jude’s to create three mouth-watering specials for Shrove Tuesday. Not for the faint hearted, Polo Bar’s special Shrove Tuesday menu is guaranteed to please, and will be served all day, and all night.
The menu is set to impress with indulgent Red Velvet pancakes with cherry ripple ice cream and glacé cherries and apple crumble and custard pancakes. There’s also a tropical option:
fresh fruit and Jude’s Mango & Passion Fruit frozen yoghurt, perfect for a lighter and more zingy option. Available until 13 February.
Savoury Pancakes at Ask for Janice
Farringdon’s quirky bar and restaurant, Ask For Janice, has created a delicious menu of savoury pancakes for those looking for something slightly different. On the menu is fresh and zingy Crab with avocado chilli, lime and coriander and an unusual concoction of Spiced Cauliflower Cheese pancakes. What caught our eyes was the pile of pork, fennel, chilli and parmesan pancakes! Don’t worry if you have a sweet-tooth that needs satisfying; the menu also features a sweet stack of Buttermilk pancakes with Westcombe ricotta, berries and rapeseed honey. Watch the bustling Smithfield Market go by at a window seat so you can scoff in style.
All-American Pancakes at OSLO
A special pancake day celebration has come to Hackney’s very own restaurant and bar OSLO this week with an all-American twist. It’s the perfect cosy spot to dig into piles of American-style buttermilk pancakes with candied bacon, blueberries and maple syrup and to sweeten the deal, ticket holders for a gig at OSLO will receive 20% off the final food bill.
Zero Waste Pancakes at Where the Pancakes Are
“Don’t be a tosser!” is Southwark’s Where the Pancakes are and Rubies in the Rubble collaboration to promote zero-waste for Pancake Day. Harking back to the roots of Shrove Tuesday, using up waste ingredients before Lent begins, pancake specialists Where the Pancakes are and condiment connoisseurs Rubies in the Rubble are joining forces with a shared aim to fight food waste. To mark the occasion, the pair have created two ‘Thoughtful pancakes’ using excess produce. They don’t take bookings but the event will be on throughout February so be sure to go and grab your spot. A twist on the restaurants very popular ‘American’, the classic combination of smoked streaky bacon, blueberries and maple syrup are made with no waste in sight. Not only are the pancakes in there dubbed the “best” in London, you can indulge in the good stuff, knowing you’re doing a whole lot of good.
Available all through February. Find out more.