FOOD + DRINK
Lunch ( and lots of cake ) at the
HILTON LONDON GATWICK
NOTHING QUITE BEATS AN AFTERNOON OF SHARING PLATTERS , TEA AND CAKE DOES IT ? That quintessentially British pastime of drinking good tea , and eating tempting bite-size snacks is one thing , but throw in a delicious selection of Mediterranean and Mexican platters and you have a winning combination . Delivered in a sleek , sophisticated setting with faultless service , lunch at the Hilton London Gatwick is a guaranteed crowd pleaser . BY SAMANTHA READY
While synonymous for its convenient and well executed airport stays , not to mention its excellent reputation for à la carte dining , the Hilton London Gatwick also has another classy string to its bow - a more casual style of shared eating that can be enjoyed leisurely .
And in my opinion , the best way to check just how good any lunch offering is , is to make a reservation for more than a dozen people with a variety of dietary requests – gluten free ? Check . Vegetarian ? Check . Allergies ? Check . Fussy child ? Check once more . Oh , and could we get some balloons please ; we ’ re celebrating – no pressure ! But boy did the team deliver .
Arrival at the hotel is easy ; straight off the M23 and into the adjacent car park , it was an easy jaunt through the bright contemporary lobby and into the stylish , but very welcoming Amy ’ s bar , where we had a lovely long table , tastefully bedecked with those all important balloons .
Afternoon tea itself can be booked for two people up to larger groups ( subject to availability ) and the team are on hand to cater for every whim . Served in Amy ’ s , it affords a luxurious setting with dark wood tables and comfy leather chairs , while also allowing for a more informal and relaxed feel , which encourages guests to sit back , relax and while away the afternoon .
For our party , each and every guest , regardless of when they arrived , was warmly greeted , escorted to the table and swiftly brought their desired drink , which extended from a range of signature teas and coffees through to bellinis and champagne for when you really want to push the boat out .
Sleek chrome and glass stands arrived laden with a range of freshly made traditional finger sandwiches including egg mayonnaise , roast chicken , ham , tuna , and cucumber . Others were heaving with freshly baked plain and fruit scones , clotted cream and individual pots of strawberry preserve , and last but by no means least , a huge cake platter of fruit cakes , miniature eclairs , lemon drizzle cake , red velvet cupcakes and chocolate brownies . Those with dietary requirements were presented with individual plates without fuss , and the coeliac amongst us declared it the best gluten-free afternoon tea she ’ d ever experienced ! Praise indeed .
Of course we couldn ’ t resist adding some sharing platters to our order . With a choice of ‘ Italian ’, consisting of delicious Italian cold meats , ciabatta , plump olives and sunblush tomatoes ; ‘ Spanish ’, heaving with serrano ham , chorizo , manchego cheese and bocata bread ; or ‘ Mexican ’ – a generous serving of sweet potato and chorizo quesadillas , chicken flautas , tortilla , guacamole and pickled chillies , there ’ s something for each and every taste bud on these delicious platters . They ’ re perfect for passing between friends and piled high with tasty ingredients that stay true to the country they represent ; unsurprisingly , they were gone in a flash .
Throughout the entirety of our afternoon , we benefitted from equally efficient and unobtrusive service from Gokhan and the team , from the plates that were swiftly cleared and the drinks that were always replenished , to the requests for group photos met with a smile . After a lovely few hours of sociable shared eating , our group departed , all wonderfully sated and well looked after with a collective vow to return .
Hilton London Gatwick South Terminal Gatwick Airport Gatwick RH6 0LL
01293 518 080 www . gatwick . hilton . com
HiltonGatwick HiltonGatwick hiltongatwick
48