Credit: Cristian Barnett
Stylist Loves
7 retro desserts to try across London that take you back to your school dinner days
By Amy Beecham
2 years ago
2 min read
Dust off your gingham dress and grab your book bag: school dinner desserts are back in a big way across the capital.
Remember when you were young and carefree and every dinner was followed by a Choc Ice, a bowl of Vienetta or a pot of rice pudding? Well, your days may no longer be spent doing handstands or picking daisies, but the good news is that school dinner desserts are back – in a big way.
You’ve probably already heard about joyous jam roly-poly at Rochelle Kitchen, elevated banana splits at The Delaunay or tried Café Cecilia’s famous deep-fried bread and butter pudding, but even more spots across London are all leaning into the nostalgia and serving up retro desserts. Ready to take your tastebuds back in time? Here are seven of the best to try now.
The Duke of Greenwich sherry trifle
This boozy miniature sherry trifle is the perfect end to an epic Sunday roast.
Address: 91 Colomb St, London SE10 9EZ
Manzi’s arctic roll
No longer served from a cardboard sleeve deep in your freezer: arctic roll is the dessert du jour now, as this version at Soho spot Manzi’s proves.
Address: 1-8 Bateman’s Buildings, London W1D 3EN
The Colony Grill Room bespoke sundae
Granted, Mayfair may not be the first place you would think to head for ice cream, but who doesn’t love making their own sundae? At The Colony Grill Room, diners can choose from a regularly changing selection of ice creams, sorbets, toppings and sauces, including cappuccino and mint stracciatella ice creams, and toppings such as caramelised popcorn, chocolate brownie and honeycomb.
Address: 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF
Nessa treacle sponge
Served with a pool of custard, the Nessa treacle sponge will take you all the way back to school dinner days.
This season, the restaurant is also serving a rhubarb and trifle (complete with rainbow sprinkles), along side a special ‘Nessabocker glory’, with chocolate sorbet, pretzels and hazelnuts.
Address: 86 Brewer St, London W1F 9UB
Notto soft-serve ice cream
A grown-up, salted caramel twist on a classic childhood favourite, Mr Whippy? Sign us up.
Address: 198 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9EZ
The Wigmore apple and cinnamon crumble
Address: 15 Langham Pl, London W1B 3DE
The Promenade at The Dorchester rice pudding
The iconic hotel is putting a tropical (and elevated) twist on the British classic, serving up a coconut rice pudding with caramelised pineapple, puffed wild rice and a pineapple sorbet.
Address: 53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA
Images: courtesy of restaurants
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