Skandilicious at Chelsea Physic Garden ★★★★★

Skandilicious review: Culture Whisper says ★★★★★

An exciting alternative to the usual Christmas fare is drawing in the chilly chic and hungry in Chelsea this year. The team behind Skandilicious invite you to eschew the 'conventional Christmas' and step into a world of Swedish delights in the magically festive environs of the Chelsea Physic Garden. The walled botanic garden is a charming spot year round, but its enclosed space and secretive air make it the perfect setting for Christmas fun.

You'll be welcomed into a fairy-lit conservatory piled high with furs and rugs with a steaming glass of Glögg, a Scandinavian mulled wine served with almonds and raisins, before being encouraged to make your way several times to a cheese board boasting a range of flavours to enjoy with crisp ginger snaps and handmade chutneys. Enjoy the atmosphere with a well-chosen cocktail or two before proceeding into the main dining area.

The table is creaking under the weight of food - pickled herrings and soda breads, sauces and smoked salmon, meatballs and reindeer sausage. There are over 35 dishes on the Julbord, and 7 is considered the ideal number of visits to the table. Plan carefully - you'll want to leave room for a taste of the many traditional desserts. We loved the dense almond cake and rich chocolate mousse.

Candles gutter, and every time an order of snaps is made the whole staff break into snapsvisa, a kind of Christmas drinking song to accompany the spicy Nordic digestif (lyrics are provided).

Few events capture the festive spirit in so simple, delicious and enjoyable a way, so let the Swedes show you how Christmas should be done!

Dinner & drinks 6-10pm weekdays. Lunch at weekends 12-5pm, by appointment during the week.