Last Updated on December 11, 2024
Après Ski without the Snow at The Alpine Lodge, London
As the days get shorter, if you yearn for the mountains and long to be in a cosy Alpine-style setting but can’t get away from the City, then the New Alpine Lodge at The Vicinity in London is a must-visit. Tucked across the road from The Vicinity Hotel, nestled beneath the Iconic Tower Bridge, it is a perfect setting with views over the Thames, Tower Bridge, and even the Shard rising up in the distance.
This ski-themed bar and restaurant, with its faux fur-draped seating, snowy trees, and ski equipment, is a fun place to relax and enjoy being transported to the Alps. For a great photo opportunity, perch on the ski lift chair surrounded by a wintery scene.
We arranged to visit The Alpine Lodge a week or so ago on a cold November evening. There is no need to book; you can turn up without a reservation. Why not pop in if you are in the area for some vitamin D ski vibes?
Brightly coloured ski goggles are laid out on every table and add that extra element of fun. The lighting is warm and cosy with little lamps dotted on the tables making for a lovely atmosphere.
We ordered mulled wine to warm ourselves up after the walk across Tower Bridge, it was very welcome and came in generous mugs, hot and steaming, with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick.
Other boozy hot drinks are available; mulled cider and hot chocolate with either Baileys, Cointreau or St Remy, all perfect winter warmers. Cold drink options include a good selection of wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks.
We are both fans of hearty, mountain restaurant dishes and could have happily tried everything on the food menu. Options range from Alpine Cheese Dip to Bockwurst Hot Dog, Chicken Schnitzel Burger and the classic French Tartiflette. An authentic Swiss-style Fondue of melted Gruyere and Emmental cheese is available to order on Thursdays and Fridays. Freshly baked pizzas offer an alternative to the Alpine dishes.
I chose the Alpine Cheese Dip, a pot of melted Reblochon cheese with toasted slices of ciabatta. The ciabatta was just right for scooping up the delicious warm cheese.
I had to try the Loaded Rosti Potato Bites, small balls of crispy potato drizzled with chilli cheese sauce, pickled red cabbage slaw and gherkins. They were the perfect size to pop in your mouth and very tasty.
My daughter had looked at the menu in advance and decided to go for The Ultimate Turkey Sandwich, a flame-grilled turkey burger, topped with streaky bacon and cranberry sauce in a brioche burger bun. She was delighted with her choice; it was perfectly cooked and full of flavour.
It seemed obligatory to order and share the Tartiflette an all-time Alpine favourite. Soft layers of potatoes came with crispy bacon topping baked in a creamy cheese sauce. It was spot-on and a highlight of the evening.
We decided to move on to red wine to drink, although the hot drink options were very tempting. For my daughter a glass of Domaine Mas Bahourat Merlot while I chose to try the Sixty Clicks Shiraz Mataro. Both were great wines to accompany our food.
If you still have space after those hearty mountain dishes, don’t hesitate to order a delicious Wafflemeister waffle to end your meal. These are served warm with a variety of toppings.
If you are looking for a fun Après-Ski style venue in London why not visit the Alpine Lodge at The Vicinity? It is perfect for a get-together with friends or an evening out after work or a day at the shops.
The food and drinks are reasonably priced with dishes ranging from £6.95 for the Alpine Cheese Dip to £13.50 for the burger options. A warming mug of mulled wine costs £12.50.
Alpine Lodge at The Vicinity,
St Katherine’s Way,
London E1W 1LD.
Telephone: (0)20 7206 7562.
Alpine Lodge is open every day between 12.00 pm and 10.00 pm for the winter season.
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
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