][1]Restaurateurs are a resourceful bunch and they are seldom short of ideas for promoting their business. The Carlton George Hotel, whose Windows restaurant is a 5pm member, has launched a Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea to tie in with the release of Tim Burton’s film Alice in Wonderland. The menu includes Queen of Hearts Jam Triangles, Crispy Chocolate Cheshire Cat Bites, White Rabbit Vanilla Cupcakes, Eat Me Shortcake Biscuit and Wonderland Fresh Fruit Jelly.
Available every afternoon from 2pm to 4pm, the Wonderland-themed tea runs until 30 April. The cost is £15.95 for an adult and £7.95 for children.
Obviously, the Carlton George is not the only establishment to apply a little lateral thinking to its marketing. Not content with hosting regular stand-up comedy nights, Charan Gill has been encouraging customers into his Slumdog Bar and Kitchen not only by offering World Cup curry and football boxes but also with the launch of his Paragon Club business networking events.
Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, French restaurateur and Chewing the fat contributor Jean Michel Gauffre is hosting two wine dinners. Catherine Roque of Domaine De Clovallon will be presenting the estate’s finest wines at La Garrigue on Monday 15 March and at L’Artichaut on the 16th.