Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras) is almost upon us. Whether you chose to mark this day with a trad Shrove Tuesday pancake effort or do it Rio style with feathers and hot pants, Square Meal can help. So don’t stay in and toss alone, step out and join the party at one of our top London picks... We’ve divided our Fat Tuesday selection into Mardi Gras magic for party people and pancake flips for crêpe expectations.
MARDI GRAS
Big Easy Bar.B.Q and Lobstershack
(pictured below)
Where: Covent Garden, WC2
What’s on offer: a giant sharing slushie cocktail, the ‘Slushie-cane’ – Big Easy’s frozen twist on the New Orleans classic Hurricane – and a southern-style Shrimp Boil: jumbo shrimp, smoked sausage, corn on the cob and baby new potatoes cooked in a Cajun style broth
How much: £19
The vibe: New Orleans comes to Covent Garden at this smoky southern hangout
Carnival Comes to Cabana
(pictured below)
Where: All Cabana venues
What’s on offer: Carnival fun for the whole family; face painting for the kids and giant pineapples filled with the likes of pineapple and cachaça for mum and dad
When: 16-22 February (21-22 only at selected venues)
How much: How many kids do you have?
The vibe: Bright, fun and easy-going; good for the whole family
Novikov
(pictured below)
Where: Mayfair, W1
What’s on offer: Step into an Italian Martedi Grasso Carnival – Novikov is laying on a Venetian Grand Ball, with a mysterious twist… ‘Attend this event and you will become part of this story,’ they say.
When: 17 February at 7.30pm
How much: Free – bring your mask. (A la carte menu – not free, obvs)
The vibe: Trattoria meets Mayfair swank
Shutterbug Crêperie and Bar
Where: Shoreditch, EC2
What’s on: Shutterbug straddles the Mardi Gras/pancake bandwagon with all the grace of a Rio showgirl. Grab yourself a rum punch and grind to the DJ, then tuck into an elegant crêpe or a phat American stack. Shutterbug has got it covered… in maple syrup.
When: Well, Shrove Tuesday (17 February) is pretty much Christmas Day at this place
How much: The classic lemon and sugar will set you back £4
The vibe: experimental crêperie-cum-intimate cocktail speakeasy
Sushisamba
(pictured below)
Where: City, EC2
What’s on offer: Cue the Caipirinhas and Brazilian menu specials. There will be live samba dancers, batucada drummers and DJs, as well as a live feed of Carnaval in Brazil
When: 17 February
How much: dishes from £9
The vibe: The samba bit of Sushisamba is leading the charge at this Liverpool Street eyrie
PANCAKES
The Botanist
(pictured below)
Where: Sloane Square, SW1
What’s on offer: a decadent lobster pancake – chunks of fresh lobster, morel and chanterelle mushrooms and a creamy, smoked garlic bisque
How much: £32
The vibe: sleek, zippy bistro with a glitzy bar
Foxlow
(pictured below)
Where: Clerkenwell, EC1
What’s on offer: start your day the Foxlow way with a one-off pancake breakfast, including a Bourbon caramel option.
How much: £10 including tea, coffee or juice
The vibe: Clerkenwell sister to the legendary Hawksmoor
Plateau
(pictured below)
Where: Docklands, E14
What’s on: Man vs Pancake competition: eat a stack of 20 pancakes with maple syrup and bacon faster than the other scoffers and win a complimentary boozy Saturday brunch, including a three course meal and unlimited bubbles for two.
When: 12-3pm 17 February
How much: £15
The vibe: Big-city chic in the middle of bank land
The Ritz
(pictured below)
Where: St James’s, SW1
What’s on: Possibly the poshest pancakes in town; except here, one calls them crêpe Suzettes and they are legendary. Sit back and salivate as the chef brings the magic to your table.
When: all the time
How much: £36 for two
The vibe: Putting on The Ritz
Where the Pancakes Are
Where: The Proud Archivist, N1
What’s on offer: seasonal pancakes, crêpes and waffles paired with artisanal ciders
How much: from £3.50
The vibe: an art gallery, café, deli, bistro and community space all in one. Now with pancakes
