Offering some of the best panoramic views of London from one of the capital’s most iconic
skyscrapers, Searcys at The Gherkin has been transformed into a luscious botanical glasshouse, created in partnership with Perrier-Jouët Champagne, bringing nature to life in the heart of the city.
I always get a sense of awe whenever I visit Searcys at The Gherkin, and that day was no exception, taking in the colourful and tropical vibes that it exuded.
A selection of Perrier-Jouët vintages are available all summer at The Glasshouse at Iris Bar on Level 40 – we started off with glasses of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, poured out from an impressive-looking 600cl (6L!) bottle by our lovely host, Karim. The Iris Bar mixologists have also designed a special menu of botanical gin-based cocktails, created with natural ingredients. These include the iconic Gherkin Spritz – Beefeater gin, Perrier-Jouët Champagne, pickled gherkin juice and elderflower essence – and London Fields – a refreshing mix of Plymouth sloe gin, cox apples, fresh fruits, lemonade and lavender extract.
Guests are also encouraged to experiment with garnishes and tonics that have been expertly curated by Searcys’ mixologists – if you love gin then I would recommend trying The Glasshouse Trio which gets you a selection of three junipers for only £17. Between the both of us we sampled 6 of these refreshing thirst-quenchers, expertly prepared and served by Head Bartender and Mixologist, Alessio. For those who love their champagne, guests can also take part in a Champagne Masterclass which includes a tasting flight of three different cuvées.
We then proceeded downstairs to the Helix Restaurant to try out the special summery menu created by Searcys’ Shaun Rowlands, showcasing the flavour and versatility of British seasonal produce.
Always a fan of crab, I started with the Portland crab, delicate slivers of crab meat mixed together with celery, grapes and candied walnuts – a perfect summer starter on the hottest day of the year.
The District beef fillet was tender and one of the best steaks that I have had in a while, cooked a beautiful medium rare with potato terrine, pepper purée, king oyster mushroom, and drizzled with a delicious jus. I also had a taste of the rump of lamb that was an equally strong contender. We enjoyed our meal paired with chilled a glass of 2018 Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc that was light and refreshing with crisp citrus notes.
Undecided on a sweet or savoury finish, we shared the selection of British cheeses and a sharing portion of their delectable pear tart that was served fresh from the oven. And let’s not forget to mention the amazing sunset views – the perfect location for a memorable dining experience, and even to propose to your loved one as we witnessed right in front of us that evening!
With our stomachs filled to the brim, we headed back up to the Iris Bar to catch the last rays of the sun setting in the distance, sipping on our gin cocktails whilst enjoying some live music before wrapping it up for the day.
We also had a sneak peek of The Table of Tastes by Perrier-Jouët, where one of the Gherkin’s five private dining rooms, on level 38 had been transformed into a pocket version of the Glasshouse, featuring a unique installation in the centre of the room that showcased an array of bright, tropical flowers, leaves and botanicals inspired by the tastings notes of different Perrier-Jouët cuveés.
This exclusive experience can be explored by parties of all sizes, celebrating every occasion – from a leisure brunch to lavish dinner parties. An exclusive line up of events showcasing Perrier-Jouët prestige cuvées and hosted by their brand ambassador will take over the Gherkin’s Nimbus room, 6-days a week during the summer.
The Glasshouse at the Gherkin runs from 15 July to 1 September, and is available to attend by reservation – you can find out more information on The Glasshouse and The Table of Tastes on their website.
- I was invited to review Searcys at The Gherkin – all views and photos are my own.
