The Lowdown: chromotherapy menus

Sounds technical​
Ah, but it’s not. In a colourful attempt to beat the January blues, Soho Nikkei restaurant Chotto Matte is launching a menu that features a series of ‘lively’ dishes using different colours. The idea is to lift spirits using the healing power of colour with mood-elevating ingredients.

The healing power of colour? Is that why Calpol is purple?​
Err, possibly. More specifically, the menu harnesses the power of ‘chromotherapy’ - the science of using colours to adjust body vibrations to frequencies for health benefits. So, imagine red pepper ponzu for increased stamina and vitality, a hake and turmeric dish with a yellow Peruvian corn sauce for intellect and a yuzu martini with basil leaf for green, centred on balance and nature.

Or you could just eat a bag of Skittles​
Don’t be such a cynic. The link between colour and healing has been studied and used for more than 2,000 years. Moreover, £1 from every bill throughout the campaign will be donated to support MIND charity and its campaign for better mental health, so you’re not just doing yourself some good by eating there.

But these guys are not the only ones doing unusual things with menus… ​
Nope, ‘tis the season for it, after all. In other news, M restaurant in Victoria is claiming the title of ‘the world’s healthiest restaurant’ with its new Korean-inspired and 100% gluten-free menu, which diners can enjoy while breathing in the venue’s 100% purified air. If that doesn’t float your boat, head to Thai barbecue restaurant Smoking Goat in Shoreditch on 14 January for the return of ‘offal Mondays’. Here you can try Smoking Goat’s Ali Borer and Black Axe Mangal’s Lee Tiernan’s offal-heavy menu, including the likes of lamb offal laab flat bread; chilli fish sauce pig tails; and grilled ox heart nahm dtok.

That’s more like it, you can't beat a bit of brown food​
It certainly has its place. According to chromotherapy charts, brown is liked by practical people with a preference for natural, tribal and primitive things. See, told you it made sense.