insideKENT Magazine Issue 77 - August 2018 | Page 149

Our own arrival was no less grand. Transported directly to check in, our slightly early arrival, hampered by potentially our one-day of summer rain, was seen as a positive – where else should we have waited but in the hotel’s number-one-in-the-world voted bar while our room was made ready… heady mix of Jack Daniel’s single barrel rye, Campari, cranberry, cherry, citrus and chocolate, and The Impressionist – a magical combination of Grey Goose vodka, raspberry, cherry, violet, Ruinart Rose Champagne and fog served with a rose and smoke no less, just heightened the pleasure. The American Bar, a little enclave of Manhattan chic with a drinks book of cocktails inspired by iconic images of those aforementioned A-list clientele was the perfect start to our Savoy journey. Giddy with excitement (and those lethal cocktails) we were escorted to our table in the fabulous Kaspar’s, The Savoy’s signature seafood bar and grill restaurant. Drinks finished, we received the nod that our room was ready and boy was it worth the wait! The doors opened to a luxurious space with a dressing area leading to a marble ensuite with bath, double vanity, separate shower and WC, and through to floor-to- ceiling bedside views of iconic London – the sweeping River Thames below, Canary Wharf to the left, the London Eye and Parliament to our right – wow, just wow. As night fell and the city came alive in an abundance of lights and colour, the views were simply breathtaking! Although tempted to barricade ourselves in and never leave, we were too tempted by the allure of yet more cocktails and dinner to resist. The American Bar may be the world’s number one, but the award-winning Beaufort Bar is my top choice. Arrival is through a chandelier- hung atrium; a beautifully light and glamourous central space perfect for afternoon tea, breakfast, or to while away an evening with the resident pianist, but it’s the nearby draped entrance that lures like a temptress into the dark, secluded former cabaret stage. The black and gold walls and ceilings make a perfect theatrical backdrop for a drinks menu inspired by Savoy stories that pay tribute to some of the most famous guests. I could have read that stories book all night and been satisfied, but the addition of actually sampling the By Invitation Only – a bitter, The restaurant is a showcase of style and sophistication; informal lunches give way to elegant dinners, and at its heart is a showpiece central bar with chandeliers and lights heralding the triumph of the newly revamped menu inspired by the seasons. Drawn from the sea, raised in the fields, and foraged from the earth, it showcases an array of fresh and smoked fish, oysters, caviar and fresh seafood, as well as offering classic grill choices. While initially disappointed to find that some iconic Savoy dishes and desserts had been removed, we were soon won over by the new classic Anglo-French menu and the courteous friendly service. Not one to make things easy, my shellfish allergy was met with equal professionalism and understanding (with a little jest, naturally) and nothing was too much trouble as my guest and I were assisted with menu choices, persuaded to try new dishes and guided through a menu that left us wanting to return. My guest began with the waiter’s recommendation of the Cornish crab, a dish so heavily ensconced in beautiful avruga caviar that diners have been known to question if they have the right meal – it was delightful, the delicate crab meat off set with lemon, burnt butter and the salty opulence of the caviar. My own hand-dived scallops were delivered perfectly seared with rich herb- crusted black pudding bonbons, sharp-and- sweet rhubarb and a salty samphire jus. Next up, and again swayed by an excellent recommendation, was Dover sole – a piece of fish so painstakingly filleted it looked like it hadn’t been touched as it sat proudly on the plate with a delicious brown butter and caper jus alongside a rich truffle and chive mash. My Irish Black Angus beef fillet was the best steak I’ve had this side of the Atlantic: rich, precisely cooked and oozing with flavour, enhanced only by a roasted garlic and rosemary jus and some duck-fat chips. Dessert proved a more tricky decision – my guest was eager to go for the waiter’s recommendation hat trick, so it had to be the Paris to London, a railway-inspired sharing dessert of crisp choux pastry delight that just kept giving in mouthfuls of smooth chocolate mousseline, homemade praline and hot chocolate sauce. Thank goodness for the swing jazz trio in the atrium (who were brilliant by the way!) that afforded us a brief respite in the walk (or should that be roll) back to our room, eyes closing to the nighttime wonder of our great capital. Waking to the city coming alive beneath us and the sun streaming in, we took advantage of one last Savoy recommendation and had breakfast delivered to our room; a perfect end to a perfect stay at the most perfect hotel. The Savoy Strand London United Kingdom WC2R 0EZ [email protected] www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/ TheSavoyLondon FairmontSavoy thesavoylondon/ 149