Dukes Hotel London Mayfair: A picnic like no other

It was the week of biblical rainfall and watching numerous weather apps with an intense will of ‘please don’t rain on Sunday.’ Luckily the gods listened and the rain stayed away, even the sun decided to show its face for a very special Father’s Day picnic I’d arranged from Dukes Hotel London.

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The British hotel is tucked away in a quiet cu-de-sac in St James, but today we weren’t stepping foot inside the hotel. Instead we waited outside Green Park tube station for our butlers. Yes you read right. Butlers!

They came laden with picnic hampers and smiling faces and we chose our preferred spot to set up the picnic.

Picnic blanket, tablecloth, food, crockery glassware and even mini salt and pepper shakers were all laid out carefully. They’ll also provide blankets and hot water bottles, if the weather is a tad nippy. Always a concern when dealing with British summertime!

Once the wine was poured our butler handed over a phone number and asked us to call when we’d finished, so they can come back and tidy everything away. Amazing!

With that they left us to enjoy the glorious spread.

We opted for the vegetarian picnic – Spinach ricotta samosas. Courgette, halloumi, tomato brochette. Broccoli, pine nut avocado quiche. Cous cous, coriander, artichoke salad. Heritage tomato, cucumber, feta, mint salad and British artisan cheese, crackers, chutney.

On top of that feast we had not one but two desserts – Chocolate mousse with raspberries and rice pudding crème brulee

The usual summer picnic menu also includes – poached salmon, lemon mayonnaise & avocado, piri piri chicken, chorizo, pepper brochette and scotch eggs with honey mustard. The portions were very generous and I have to admit we struggled to finish.

Children are not neglected either, their menu consists of with some kiddy favourites – pigs in blankets, cheese & pineapple on sticks, pasta salad and homemade crisps.

It was a day where the dads lapped it up, the kids ran around to their hearts content and the mums relaxed.

A pretty luxe way to spend a father’s day. With that in mind it may surprise you to know that the picnic costs just £39.50 per person and £15 for children without drinks. Very reasonable when you consider you’re getting a full butler service.

Bookings need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. So what are you waiting for? Start booking your quintessentially British treat in the park!

What are your picnic food favourites? Do you have a particular spot you love to go? Let me know in the comments box below.

Dukes London | 35 St James Place | London |SW1A 1NY

dukeshotel.com

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