Lisson Gallery Christmas party at Clifton Nurseries
Festive dinner
In December 2023, Zara’s Kitchen hosted a festive dinner for the staff of the internationally renowned Lisson Gallery in London. The three-course meal was served in the lush surroundings of Clifton Nurseries, beautifully decorated for Christmas. The guests enjoyed delectable canapés with a refined selection of wines, champagne, and refreshing cocktails. Despite the cold December weather, the guests remained cosy between the greenhouse and the café which had been converted into an intimate banqueting space for the fifty guests. The night was the perfect way to kick off the festive season and allowed the hard-working gallery staff to eat, drink, and celebrate in the lead up to Christmas.
Clifton Nurseries had already decorated the dining room with stunning seasonal ornaments, and Zara’s Kitchen and Lisson Gallery collaborated to create a tablescape that perfectly matched the atmosphere. The table was adorned with shades of gold, amber, red, and green, all in keeping with the festive season, resulting in a truly enchanting experience for everyone in attendance.
As the day turned to dusk, and the sun set on the horizon, the café transformed. The warm glow of light and the vibrant hues created a haven of warmth and conviviality. The outside world was erased for the night, allowing the celebration to take centre stage. It was the ideal ambience to revel in the festivities.
The Food & Drink
Upon arrival, the guests were welcomed with a delicate trio of canapés: mushroom tarts with whipped lemon zest crematta, alongside crab on miniature bagels with avocado cream & caviar and a beef wellington with mushroom parfait. Combined with Davy’s Celebration Champagne, and a refreshing grapefruit-infused cocktail – a Paloma with Spiced Salt & Grapefruit – the attendees were left eagerly anticipating the dinner itself.
Moving onto the dining room, the attendees were served Balade de Coline 2021 and Armigero Sangiovese Riserva 2018 for the first pour. The starters included smoked salmon with horseradish cream, pickled cucumber and baby beetroot for the fish-eaters, while the vegetarians enjoyed fig and burrata with blood orange and aged balsamic.
As the wine continued to flow, the diners enjoyed a quintessential Christmas dinner with all the trimmings: a 3-day orange & red pepper brined turkey breast or cranberry & porcini mushroom nut roast with orange and honey roasted carrots & parsnips, roast sage & garlic potatoes, garlic butter & chestnut sprouts, stuffed pigs in blankets, apple & pickled walnut cabbage and pork & sage stuffing. Just as we hoped, there were numerous empty plates by the time it was cleared. We even had quite a few requests for second helpings – one of the nicest compliments the chefs could receive!
Of course, Christmas dinner wouldn’t be complete without an indulgent dessert. The guests were treated to a chocolate mousse with crème fraîche and spiced mince pies. Despite having feasted all evening, there were clean plates a plenty. Afterwards, they sipped on a Mezcal and Grapefruit Margarita, a refreshing and citrusy nightcap. The guests left Clifton feeling full of festive spirit after a stunning evening in a beautiful location.