Two of London's Finest and a Modern New Gem in Glasgow.
PUTTIN ON THE RITZ, ITALIAN STYLE
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| Visiting Chef Attilio di Fabrizio |
Tea at The Ritz London is almost as much of an institution as the changing of the Guards. Still a bastion of fine taste, The Ritz London truly does set the standard for the ultimate in personal service and traditional elegance. Yet this Royal property (by appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales, the Suppliers of Banqueting and Catering Services) still manages to add some spice to its reputation of tradition and formality.
Several times a year, the Ritz Restaurant invites guest chefs from other Leading Hotels of the World to spend a week and feature some of their local signature dishes on a special visiting chef menu. Thanks to this program, I celebrated the wonders of Tuscan cuisine amidst the ambiance of the Ritz Restaurant's magnificent, chandelier studded, decor.
The week of my visit, the special talents of Chef Attilio Di Fabrizio were featured at the Ritz Restaurant. The kitchens he normally oversees as Executive Chef are at the Hotel Villa San Michele in Fiesole, just outside of Florence and the Hotel Splendido in Portofino.
 Born in 1952 in the region of Abruzzi, cooking was part of his blood as he grew up helping his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. Chef Attilio attended a local cooking school in Villa Santa Maria, near Chieti, where many of the best chefs in Italy learn the secrets of Italian cooking. He interned at the Cipriani in Venice and over the years has developed his expertise in fine hotels around the world.
We enjoyed several of his signature Italian dishes including Scampi tails roasted in walnut oil, Tortellini stuffed with aubergine (eggplant) and goat cheese. For dessert we enjoyed a Meringue Cappuccino served with cinnamon ice cream. This celebration of Tuscan cuisine was all the more memorable as it was enjoyed in one of the most beautiful hotels in the world! For more information about the visiting chef program at the Ritz London, visit their web site at www.theritzlondon.com.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE ORIENT IN HYDE PARK
"Our mission is to completely delight and satisfy our guests," says the mission statement of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has been "delighting and satisfying" long before it added Mandarin Oriental to its name in 1996.
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| Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park |
Just down the block from Harrod's and across the street from Harvey Nick's, The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel opened in 1889, as an exclusive "Gentleman's Club." After a dramatic fire and extensive renovations, the Victorian building was reopened in 1902 as London's newest and grandest hotels. Its original entrance overlooked Hyde Park. Tradition has it that the Queen would not allow "advertising" to face the park and insisted the main entrance, with the hotel's name above it, should be moved from the park side to Knightsbridge leaving the original entrance for Royal use alone. With over a century of history and an association with the Royal family, today the Hotel combines this grand tradition with a contemporary appeal that incorporates a subtle but relevant Asian quality.
The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has become one of London's most fashionable hangouts for the well heeled. Public rooms are striking and have been transformed by the man behind the design of New York's Le Cirque 2000, Adam Tihany. His concept of "bring the park into the restaurant" has integrated expansive views of Hyde Park from every table in the hotel's premier restaurant, Foliage. The theme is reinforced with the subtle, leaf design china, napkin holders and a fresh leaf picked daily from the park and positioned at every place setting. The Mandarin Bar was proclaimed one of London's top ten. The hotel's Executive Chef, David Nicholls and his culinary team are innovative and have established an outstanding dining experience... Visit Chef Notes
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| Mandarin Bar |
A touch of Asia is part of the mix. From the Bonsai trees on the dining tables in The Park Restaurant to the dim sum served in the Mandarin Bar, a gentle Asian influence serves to soften the western edge. The "fusion" of east and west works well in redefining this hotel for its contemporary role in the twenty-first century.
For more information about the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park visit their web site at www.mandarinoriental.com.
PAELLA IN GLASGOW
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| RadissonSAS Glasgow |
Only several months since it opened, the RadissonSAS has radically changed the staid hotel scene in Glasgow. It is sleek, ultra modern and has one of the best Paella restaurants in the world. This primarily business hotel is located in the center of Glasgow's financial area and just across the street from Central Station. The friendly Scottish welcome, combined with sophistication reminiscent of New York's Paramount Hotel, really warrants a stay. The city itself is great fun and within easy reach by train to Edinburgh or Stirling Castle. Glasgow is surrounded by world famous golf courses and the hotel offers special golf weekends.
With the hotel's extreme architectural design still generating controversy, I would hazard a guess The RadissonSAS Glasgow will continue to raise eyebrows as the best place in Scotland for a hearty portion of haggis or a classic Spanish Paella... Now that is a signature no other hotel in the world can lay claim to!
For more information about the RadissonSAS Glasgow visit their web site at
www.rad issonsas.com
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