Pop-Up ‘King’ to Launch Alpine Restaurant Pods on the Southbank This Winter

Serial pop-up producer Jimmy Garcia will launch a restaurant, bar and series of private dining ‘pods’ on the south bank of the River Thames this winter. “A pop-up restaurant where Londoners can dine in giant snow globes.” Original, if nothing else.

London chef and “pop-up king” Garcia will open Lodge On The River, which is being described as “the ultimate cosy escape from the winter cold,” and takes inspiration from the time the chef spent “touring Courchevel.”

It will sit next to the South Bank Centre and comprise a bar, steet food venue (raclette burgers, etc.), and a 30-cover restaurant called The Refuge. Four PVC “snow globes” or igloos, pictured, designed to seat between six and ten people and can be booked for dinner. They can be hired exclusively and require a minimum spend of £600.

The Refuge restaurant will serve a £40 per head, fixed price menu that includes: sharing small plates for starters — mulled wine-cured Gravlax salmon; game terrine; smoked goat curd, roasted pumpkin, pickled beetroot and hazelnuts. Traditional Alpine fondue with charcuterie, new potatoes and bread for main course; and a winter spiced crème brûlée, with cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg — served with shortbread — for dessert.

The Lodge will close on 1 January 2018 (after the New Year’s Eve celebrations). More details here.