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Park Here The new interiors are as smart as you'd expect, with clean lines, modern furniture and minimal clutter creating a Lost in Translation feel; in fact, it's damn refreshing for a hotel restaurant to be a classic affair, rather than hinged on some cool - but otherwise clumsy - concept. The crowd here is made up predominantly of the hotel's well-heeled clientele, with shiny off-white pearls and starched shirts at every turn. There is, of course, the odd media type tapping away on their BlackBerry - but perhaps that was because we ate on a press night. Nevertheless, diners here look like they've just stepped off a plane or come from an all-important business meeting - which, more often than not, they probably have. A range of cool cocktails are served at the bar by a rather enthusiastic mixologist; we tried a number of mojitos (!), from traditional mint to zesty raspberry. All were executed to perfection, and were scooped up and brought to our park-facing table when we were summoned to dine half-way through. The menu is big, bold and British, with occasional influences drawn from the Orient; for starter we indulged in Cromer crab ravioli, with fleshy chunks of the white meat falling apart in our mouth and a shellfish bisque providing a lipsmackingly good accompaniment. Our main was significantly heavier, with grilled sirloin of East Anglican organic beef served with sauteed ratte potatoes, tenderstem broccoli and choron sauce. Simple divine, particularly when washed down with an excellent merlot picked by the sommelier. Finally, the meal wrapped up with a selection of cheeses, quince jelly and homemade crackers - a heavy meal, perhaps, but one of the most satisfying we've ever had without having to leave the confines of a hotel. www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk / Images: Royal Garden Hotel  |
