A Guide To Pancake Day in London
Holy crêpe, we’re already in March! Where has this year gone? The good news is, as we enter Spring it can only mean one thing – Pancake Day is here (praises the carb gods)! To celebrate Shrove Tuesday, we’ve rounded up some of the best spots in London to eat, toss, race with or otherwise celebrate all things pancake.
If you’re gluten-free…
Take our word for it, if you’re knocking around Notting Hill be sure to check out plant-based restaurant and bar, Farmacy. The ‘House Pancakes’ are made with gluten-free buckwheat flour, served with seasonal fruits, coconut ‘yoghurt’, caramelised pecans and sweet maple syrup. All the dishes on the menu are made from all organic ingredients, free-from dairy and refined sugars, additives and chemicals.
Where: 74 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH .When: Throughout the year. Opening hours: MON – FRI 9am – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm SATURDAY 9am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm SUNDAY 9am – 4pm, 6pm – 9:30pm Price: £11.50
If you’re vegan…
There is perhaps no trickier date for a vegan to eat around, when the city dedicates itself to eating a dish that’s recipe is traditionally made with 50 per cent egg. Still, no-one should miss out and this needn’t be a time of denying dairy-free folk.
At only 92 calories per pancake, Protein World’s Vegan Pancake Mix is high in protein, low in sugar, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free and has no artificial colours, flavour or sweeteners. Packed with Biotin, B6 & B12 to maintain normal hair and skin while reducing tiredness and fatigue, simply whisk, pour and flip. If that’s the case, we’ll start stacking them up! Price: £13.99
If you’re up for a challenge…
If you’re looking to go big this Pancake Day, look no further than Polo 24 Hour Bar. They’re wanting Londoners to take on their colossal pancake challenge, consisting of a whopping 12 towering fluffy pancakes, complete with toppings such as bananas, fresh berries, vanilla ice cream and drizzling of strawberry sauce. Easy for some, the real test is that if you devour the entire thing in under 15 minutes, the meal is yours for free.
Where: Polo 24 Hour Bar, 176 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4NQ. When: Monday 4thMarch 2019 – Sunday 10thMarch 2019. Opening hours: Open 24 hours a day, daily.Price: £25, free if you finish!
If you’re not a fan of Nutella…
Off the bat, we want to set the record straight. We’re fans of Nutella. We take it seriously, none of this spreading on toast malarkey, we’re talking plonking our spoon in the jar and devouring the entire thing whilst watching reruns of Friends. However, apparently there are some that shun the famous chocolate and hazelnut spread.
If you or someone you know finds yourself part of this tribe, the posh-pudding experts at Gu may be about to change your mind with their take on the spread.
The three indulgent spreads; Chocolate and Salted Caramel, Hazelnut & Chocolate Crunchy and Hazelnut & Chocolate Velvety, have been created by head chef, Fred Ponnavoy. The texture isn’t as thick as Nutella, which allows you to drizzle the spread easily – perfect for pancakes.
Alternatively, if you’re on a sugar-free kick, we’ve discovered Diablo – the no added sugar / sugar-free Nutella alternative. Diabetic friendly, kinder to teeth and lower in calories that some of the competition, it’s the perfect substitute for those who still want their chocolate fix.. Stockist: Sainsbury’s and other major supermarkets. Price: RRP £2.00.
If you’re more into racing than eating…
Pans at the ready, this year Greenwich Market is upping its game with not one, but two pancake races. If you think of yourself as a top tosser, you can turn up on either day and enter on your own or as a team. Pancakes and pans are provided, so no need to schlep south of the river with kitchenware in hand on the tube. All you need to worry about is bringing your best flippers on the day. We’re perfecting our toss as we speak… Where: Greenwich Market, 5B Greenwich Market, Durnford Street, London SE10 9HZ. When: Tuesday 5thMarch 2019. Opening hours: From noon. Price: Donations to The Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice
