2011 has started for many of us with the need to cleanse our liver and shed a few pounds accumulated through an excess of foie gras, turkey stuffing, Christmas puddings, alcohol and chocolate and other tasty but fatty foods and beverages. Yet, repairing one’s body after the Christmas and New Year’s indulgences needs not to be boring and tasteless. Here, Chic-Londres gives a few options of healthy detox that will nonetheless appeal to most gourmets.
L’Etranger (South Kensington) While French gastronomy doesn’t necessarily bring to mind the word “detox”, L’Etranger has managed to do just that. So OK, the fat free menu created by chef Jerome Tauvron -who worked for Pierre Gagnaire, Alain Ducasse and Marco Pierre White- is clearly inspired by Japanese cooking rather than traditional French recipes, but with delicacies such as sea bass carpaccio and scallops, beef and prawn hot pot, it will certainly appeal to the Frog Valley residents (£29.00 per person for 2 courses, and £38.00 for 3 courses, until 31 January). www.etranger.co.uk
Asia de Cuba (Covent Garden) The St Martin’s Lane Hotel’s restaurant is bringing back this year its popular Bento Box. Based on Asia de Cuba’s trademark fusion food, which brings together Asian techniques, Caribbean flavours and home-style Cuban cooking, it gives an occasion to eat healthily in the restaurant’s sexy surroundings, without its hefty price tag, thanks to a very affordable menu that includes miso soup, grilled salmon with wasabi sour cream, beef dumplings and Havana noodles (£10 until 31 January). www.stmartinslane.com
Sumosan (Mayfair) Nicole Kidman’s favourite restaurant when in town -also a regular for Cheryl Cole, Will Smith and Penelope Cruz- is also launching on 10th of January two new detox menus, each with its own vegetarian option. Designed by trainer to the stars Matt Robertsto ensure a well balanced intake of proteins, carbohydrates and vegetables for optimum health, as well as to aid weight loss, they include four small dishes -such as oyster mushrooms with truffle oil and grilled scallops- with a fresh carrot juice (£17.50 per person from 10 January indefinitely). www.sumosan.com
The Sanderson (Soho) The Starck-designed hotel has created a series of healthy and rather fragrant menus, which individually promote anti-ageing, boost radiance, purify, detox or uplift. The new recipes on offer include an anti oxidant chilled grape and cucumber gazpacho with toasted almond and a purifying pudding with tropical salad, chamomile panna cotta and lemon grass sorbet. The meals can be enjoyed in the spa or in the lovely patio alongside the Long Bar (snacks and salads from £6 to £13, from 10 January indefinitely). www.sandersonlondon.com
