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/
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