I took my sister here for dinner last week to celebrate her engagement and we had the best night. Fabulous London atmosphere, impeccable service and food that puts a real smile on your face. It’s the main restaurant in the Ham Yard hotel but it’s far from your classic ‘all day dining’ hotel haunt. People come for the restaurant alone, as well as the hotel stay, and rightly so.
Eclectic, inviting and rich with splendour – it’s a real gem.
Whilst joining Jordy in her vegan menu choice last week (which might I add is rather creative and hearty!), this week I ordered off the normal à la carte with Jack. If you had a chance to spy my last post, you’ll be in-the-know of how our weekend had progressed. A tasty lunch at Borough market followed by a wonderfully relaxing afternoon at the Corinthia hotel. Just enough time had passed to ensure our appetites were back in full swing!
Off we went for food, round two.
Starting with what else but a date-night glass of bubbles, and eye up of the menu.
For starters, the burrata and ox heart tomatoes for myself and the dorset crab and chill spaghetti for J.
Both scrumptious, but I might have just been pipped to the post for the first time in order choices; the crab really shone through!
A few glasses later and it was onto mains.
Another first for me, opting for the “Glazed lemon sole bercy with spinach”. I wouldn’t typically think a rich, creamy sauce would compliment white fish but albeit very filling …. it was seriously tasty!
We selected a medley of sides; roasted beets with goats curd and courgette fries – because who can resist these crunchy delights!
I really do need the recipe for these bad boys.
J went for fillet steak Рnot a particularly creative choice but no less appetising. Good quality and perfectly cooked, served with an addictive b̩arnaise sauce.
And for the finale;
Vegan apricot crumble with coconut sorbet for the lady.
Raspberry ripple peach tart for the gentleman.
(This is the full vegan menu).
You can’t beat a killer crumble in my eyes.
Or a killer cocktail for that matter!
Cocktails getting the better of us, we retired to the bar for one more before heading back to The Corinthia hotel.
It really is a new favourite spot of mine in London.
They have a beautiful outdoor seating area too, lit up with fires that make for a perfect evening sitting when England rain holds off. And if you appreciate a friendly and immaculate service, you’ll be leaving with a smile on your face! I was so blown away by something the waiter did last week when I went with my sister;
Our waiter had asked us what cocktail we would like after perusing the menu. When nothing tickled our fancy, he offered to create something different at the bar based upon the flavours my sister mentioned. He arrived back with the cocktail and asked if she liked it, Jordy took a sip and said ‘thank you, it’s lovely’.
10 minutes later the cocktail is still sitting on our table barely touched (She had since told me that actually she didn’t like it too much but wasn’t going to mention it as he had gone through so much trouble). He came back to the table, noticed the cocktail wasn’t being drunk and in one fail swoop, offered to take it away and replace it with no issues at all, all the while with a huge smile on his face. I’m gutted I don’t remember his name, although I could certainly place his face. I’ve never had a waiter so observant, polite and effortlessly helpful. I don’t know about you but those small things leave a real lasting impression on me!
You can have a look at the Ham Yard restaurant here, along with the other Firmdale hotels and restaurants around London. They’re certainly on my bucket list! I hope you’ve enjoyed the post and please do comment below with any thoughts or questions you may have!
LLG x
