This year, Albannach, London’s finest contemporary Scottish bar and restaurant, invites you to raise a toast to St. Andrew, with an extra special treat for laddies and lassies in kilts.
On Saturday 29th November, revellers at Albannach will enjoy a hedonistic night of dining, dancing and drinking, culminating in the most energetic revellers being able to raise a glass at midnight to see in St. Andrew’s Day.
A bagpiper will herald guests’ arrival and ladies will be presented with a thistle corsage. All guests wearing a kilt will receive a complimentary bottle of the excellent Albannach Whisky Beer and be entered into a best kilt competition, with a chance to win dinner for two. The evening will begin with an elegant reception in the lounge bar, adorned with Scottish heathers and tartans, where guests can enjoy drinks such as Islay Punch, a tipple created especially for the occasion using Albannach’s very own 10 year-old Islay single malt whisky.
The menu for the evening is an extravagant five-course feast that showcases the best produce from north of the border. Following a sublimely smoky cullen skink, diners will delight in a terrine of Highland rabbit, partnered by a quail Scotch egg and own-made piccalilli. A traditional haggis with neeps and tatties is then joined by an innovative haggis ravioli and a haggis-stuffed squid to make up a trio platter. Loin of highland venison forms an appropriate centrepiece to this seasonal feast, accompanied by thyme potato cake and parsnip purée. The decadence is brought to a close by a selection of Albannach dessert miniatures: border tart with heather cream, cranachan shots and west Lowland meringue pie. Lovers of a wee dram can indulge their passion with a tasting menu of whiskies specially selected to match each course.
The enjoyment will continue long into the evening, with guests returning to the elegant lounge bar for traditional music and dancing. There, ceilidh band, The Longnotes, will perform classic Scottish tunes for dances such as The Circassion Circle, Strip The Willow, The Dashing White Sergeant and The Military Two Step. As with all good ceilidhs, The Longnotes’ caller will be there to ensure an enjoyable time for even novice reelers.
This fabulous Celtic celebration, including the five-course meal and entertainment, is available for £50 per person or £85 with matched whiskies. Reservations are essential.
Albannach – an authentic Highland fling in the heart of London.
Albannach, 66 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS Tel: 020 7930 0066
www.albannach.co.uk
St. Andrew’s Tasting Menu
29th November 2008
Amuse bouche: Cullen skink
Auchentoshan 10 year old
Lightly grassy, honeycomb aromas with a creamy palate that yields honeyed, biscuity malt, underlying gingerbread, vanilla custard, oak and walnuts.
Highland rabbit terrine, piccalilli and quail Scotch egg
Mortlach 16 year old 43% abv
Rich dried fruit aromas lead to a smooth palate with sweet-dry balance.
Finishes with bitter chocolate and a hint of aromatic smoke.
Haggis ravioli, haggis neeps and tatties and haggis stuffed squid
The Balvenie Double Wood 12 year old 40% abv
Sherried top notes with fruitcake and vanilla crème anglaise, almond nuttiness and spicy oak undertones, culminating with spicy honey.
Loin of Highland venison, thyme potato cake, parsnip purée
Longmorn 16 year old 45% abv
Sumptuous lashings of baked fruit and caramel over a soft marshmallow and leather background.
A refreshing hint of mint.
Albannach dessert miniatures: Border tart heather cream, cranchan shots and west Lowland meringue pie
Balvenie 21 year old Port wood finish 50.4% abv
A fruity and ripe raisin notes backed by a nutty dryness.
Creamy and silky with fruit, honey and spice notes, and has a long and gentle nutty finish.
£50 for five courses or £85 with matched whiskies.
Islay punch (£8)
Albannach 10 year old Islay whisky, lime, sugar, Angostura bitters and spring water
Notes on St Andrew:
o St. Andrew’s Day is on 30th November
o St. Andrew was credited with spreading the gospel to Romania, Greece and Russia and is also their patron saint.
o St. Andrew is one of the 12 apostles and brother of St. Peter.
o The Scottish flag, bearing the cross of St. Andrew, is also known as the Saltire.
o Around midnight on 29 November, it was traditional for girls to pray to St Andrew for a husband.
o On St. Andrew’s Day a girl wishing to marry could throw a shoe at a door. If the toe pointed towards the exit, she would marry within a year.
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