NEWS: Finnair’s new centenary food and wine menu plus Accor’s Raffles London opens

Finnair’s new centenary food and wine menu

In celebration of 100 years of flying, Finnair has launched a special centenary food menu and a collection of new special celebratory wines.

The Finnair 100 menu is now available on long-haul Business Class flights departing from Helsinki until 23 January 2024. I usually enjoy Finnair’s business class food on long haul and like the small plates concept for the starters and dessert/cheese.

Customers can pre-select their main course in Manage Booking before their flight and select from a variety of dishes, including the specially created Finnair 100 dish of Reindeer meatballs, mashed potatoes with mustard and port wine sauce.

The Business Class menu includes starters originating from the 1980s and 1990s and main courses from the 1960s and 1970s while the centenary menu desserts, such as Blueberry Pie and Sea Buckthorn Mousse, are Finnish classics.

Finnair 100 appetisers include Roasted Beetroot with Beetroot Purée, Beetroot Mousse and Goat Cheese Cream or Wasabi Salmon Roll with Apricot Miso and Seaweed Caviar.

Main courses include Reindeer Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes with mustard, and Port Wine Sauce and Beef Chuck Roll with Potato Gratin, Chorizo Ragù and Blackcurrant Sauce

Complementing the Finnair 100 menu are new red and white wines, which have been curated with international expert and wine consultant Ken Chase.

Finnair’s new Castilla la Mancha White 2022, named ‘Destination North’, features a blend of Airén (85%) and Verdejo (15%) grapes.

Finnair’s Castilla la Mancha Red 2022, named ‘100,000 islands’ is a red wine that contains a blend of three grapes, Tempranillo (85%), Syrah (10%) and a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon (5%).

The labels for the new bottles are based on Finnair’s original posters, designed by Erik Bruun in the 1950s and 1960s.

Meanwhile, the label for the red wine is based on Finnair’s advertising from the 1960s, during which time Brunn took inspiration from the Finnish archipelago where he lived on the Suomenlinna island of the Helsinki coastal area.

Accor’s Raffles London opens

Raffles London finally opened last week. The OWO is home to the first Raffles hotel in London, as well as the OWO Residences by Raffles.

The Raffles London at The OWO is the first property in the UK for Raffles Hotels & Resorts, and features 120 spacious guest rooms and suites, signature dining experiences by chef Mauro Colagreco, and an extensive spa in partnership with Guerlain and Pillar Wellbeing.

The building was the former Old War Office, and the hotel has kept its heritage features with a comprehensive eight-year restoration. The grand staircase and opulent chandeliers give the hotel a sense of grandeur similar to the original Raffles in Singapore. Situated in the historically significant areas of the building are the Heritage Suites, former offices of influential political and military leaders. The Haldane suite, formerly the office of Winston Churchill, John Profumo and Sir Richard Haldane can be combined to create a six-bedroom, 500 sqm suite. Known as The Whitehall Wing, this can accommodate up to twelve guests – one of the largest luxury hotel wings available in London.

Also highlighted are eight Corner Suites, which are named after notable women and female spies connected with the history of The OWO. Situated in the rounded pavilion corners of the building, these honour influential women such as Viscountess Astor and Clementine Churchill as well as WWII operatives such as Christian Lamb and British female spy Vera May Atkins.

Renowned chef Mauro Colagreco has partnered exclusively with Raffles London to lead three unique dining experiences at the property. Raffles London also debuts two bars with the Guards Bar and Lounge, which honours The OWO’s long connections with the Household Cavalry and will feature its own signature ‘London Sling’. 

The Guerlain Spa spans 2,500 sqm over four floors with a cutting-edge gym and movement studio, a 20m swimming pool surrounded by luxurious loungers, a vitality pool, and steam and sauna rooms.