 Experts on global warming, on the other hand, are less enthusiastic. They are concerned that we’re heading for yet another alarmingly warm, British summer. It is no mere coincidence, they inform us, that four out of five of the warmest years over the last three hundred years have been recorded during the last decade. What’s more, average temperatures are likely to rise by more than 3°C before the end of the century.
Be that as it may, from a purely indulgent point of view the warm balmy, summer days (and evenings) have precipitated a flurry of alfresco dining; barbecuing is big and our current enthusiasm for socialising en plein air knows no bounds. London’s pavement cafes, restaurants and pubs are already a-buzz with alfresco wining, dining and barbecuing - Mediterranean style.
This burgeoning trend has not gone unnoticed by Dr Merylyn Mckenzie-Hedger of the UK Climate Impacts Programme at Oxford University, who observes that in the context of increasingly warmer summers and global warming, "there has been a move towards outdoor living with barbecues and café society, so there will be positive side”.
English vineyards are flourishing, too. Warmer, wetter weather, early springs, late autumns and hotter summers have resulted in some excellent English vintages, in recent years. And, according to Mike Roberts, of Ridgeview Vineyard, in East Sussex, "we now have a semi-Continental climate, it's no longer maritime, and that's good for wine. Here on the South Downs, it's drier than a lot of the wine-growing areas in Australia".
Clearly every British cloud (or rather summer haze) has its silver lining. So, why not go with the flow, and soak up some of the heady atmosphere of dining in the city, alfresco-style. Here are some London restaurants to head for:
140 Park Lane, 140 Park Lane, London, W1K 7AA: for stunning views over Marble Arch and Hyde Park, a modern British gourmet menu, house cocktails, an extensive wine list and delightful alfresco dining. Check out the Picnic Menu “Picnic in Hyde Park” And spend the day soaking up the sun and the surroundings in the beautiful and expansive Hyde Park. This exclusive picnic package includes all you would need for a picnic paradise in the park.
Apollonia, 17a Percy Street, Fitzrovia, London W1P 9FE: who needs to go to Greece when you can enjoy alfresco dining, taverna-style right on your doorstep!
Arcadia, 35 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5EB: imaginative, innovative modern Italian cooking and a pleasant alfresco atmosphere.
Ark, 122 Palace Gardens, London, W8 4RT: for authentic Italian cuisine and a carefully sourced Italian wine list, in a stylish, modern setting.
Babylon, The Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5ED: the attractive terrace, with its breathtaking views of London’s skyline, is the perfect venue for swish alfresco dining.
Back To Basics, 21a Foley Street, London, W1W 6DS: superb seafood and a glorious outdoor setting for that perfect summer evening.
Balcony Bistro, Silk Street Entrance, Barbican Centre, London, EC2Y 8DS: for relaxed modern British dining and a calming lakeside vista. The Balcony
Bistro also offers atmospheric jazz nights.
Bam Bou, 1 Percy Street, London, W1T 1DB: French-Vietnamese style cuisine in stylish surroundings and the opportunity to dine alfresco, weather permitting.
B-Bar Restaurant, 43 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1 0PP: relaxed Mediterranean-style cooking with an impressive wine list and super summer cocktails.
Belvedere, off Abbotsbury Road, Holland Park, London, W8 6LU: a firm favourite with local clientele, the Belvedere is the perfect setting for a spot of French-style alfresco.
Benares, 12 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, W1J 6AN: for superb Indian cuisine in a relaxed modern setting.
Big Easy, 332/334 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5UR: enjoy the buzz, the informality and the wide ranging, American-style menu.
Bush Bar And Grill, 45a Goldhawk Road, London, W12 8QP: modern French cuisine in a friendly atmosphere and delightful alfresco dining.
Café Des Amis, 11/14 Hanover Place (off Longacre), Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9JP: modern French cooking in a stylish setting.
Thai on the River, 4 Chelsea Wharf, 15 Lots Road, London, SW10 0QJ: authentic Thai cuisine on the open-air terrace, with spectacular views over the River Thames.
Waterside pubs, cafés, open-air restaurants, the choice is yours. Watch the sun go down over the glorious London skyline, while sipping a glass of English bubbly or whatever else takes your fancy…
Alfresco dining has certainly put the fun back into food!
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