A splendid array of traditional, time-honoured British cuisine in London
One of the many benefits of staying at The Egerton House Hotel in London – beside its opulent Victoria & Albert Suite and the hotel’s delightful Concierge Manager, Jacques Conradie – is that the best of British treats are immediately at your fingertips.
Afternoon Tea
The quiet, intimate confines of Egerton House’s Drawing Room boasts cushions embroidered with butterflies and dragonflies, delicate bone china crockery painted with pansies, and a superb afternoon tea (from £40/RM212). While there are special vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free tea sets available, the toffee caramel cupcakes, blackberry macaroons, and Coronation chicken finger sandwiches from their traditional afternoon tea remain unbeatable. All of these pair wonderfully with the hotel’s selection of Jing teas, a glass of house champagne, and even their tea-infused cocktails (try an Over the Moon with rosebuds, gin, and Earl Grey). Plus, if you’re travelling with a beloved furry canine friend, there’s even a doggy afternoon tea menu for them with ‘Pawsecco’, ice cream, and a take-home chew toy.
London’s Finest Martini
Once cocktail hour rolls around, things always start to look shaky at The Egerton Bar. You’ll find Esley, the barman, making the hotel’s signature cocktail exactly how it’s supposed to be: with gin chilled to -22 degrees and a dash of vermouth, poured all the way to the rim of a frozen glass. Drink it with a squeeze of lemon rind and the classic ‘Egerton Slurp’ to avoid spilling a drop of the good stuff – and if it floats your boat, you can sign up for a Martini Masterclass (£45/RM239) with Esley. Don’t skip the homemade canapés that inevitably appear as if by magic on the bar counter, especially the dangerously moreish cheese on toast.
The English Grill
Not far from Egerton House – and, coincidentally, just opposite Buckingham Palace – you’ll find The English Grill at The Rubens at the Palace, which is also part of the Red Carnation Hotels collection. Expect impeccable service from tailcoat-clad waiters and a stellar menu featuring the finest local and seasonal produce (sourced from the same suppliers that serve the Queen’s kitchen), all created with The Rubens’ rich royal history in mind. H. Forman’s ‘London Cure’ smoked salmon, lightly flavoured with oak smoke, is sliced at your table and served with traditional accompaniments such as finely chopped egg yolks and capers. Meanwhile, their famous Mixed Grill is cooked in a Josper charcoal oven, and features fillet steak, lamb cutlets, calves’ liver, lambs kidneys, bacon, and sausages – a carnivore’s carnival.
