Everyday, Luxury, Restaurants

City Scapes at Peninsula Restaurant at Intercontinental London – The O2

September 26, 2016

There are so many fantastic restaurants in London with an incredible view. But I have a new one for you, with a whole different vista…
Until now, when visiting the O2 arena there’s been little in the way of choice for fine dining options but Peninsula Restaurant at the Intercontinental London – The O2 changes all of that.

We started our date night at the hotel’s Clipper Bar which boasts a sweeping view of the River Thames and Canary Wharf.
With huge floor to ceiling windows and a 270 degree view, it’s a bar totally unique in London. It actually reminded me a lot of the Intercontinental in Hong Kong with it’s huge windows, harbour view and glittering skyline vistas.

We loved the cute boats and ship-shaped bar which reflected Greenwich’s nautical heritage and the name of the bar references the fast sailing ships which once navigated major sailing routes. Mr S very much enjoyed the hotels own in-house Clipper Gin, distilled in the City and with delicate citrus flavours, it made the perfect G & T!
After our drinks it was time to head up a floor to the hotel’s fine dining Peninsula Restaurant which affords the same twinkling view of the bright lights and sky-scrapers of London’s business district.

We started with some delicious nibbles, a mix of crackers black rice, quinoa and barley with a tasty spiced red lentil purée and a mascarpone and yogurt cream.
Flavoured butter has become quite a trend in London and we really enjoyed both options, one with caramelised onion and one with hickory powder. Both paired beautifully with the two bread choices sourdough and my favourite, potato and rosemary. After making our choices from the menu, the sommelier suggested he choose some wine pairings for us and our glass were soon filled, mine with a Chablis and Mr S with Pouilly Fumé.

The menu is European but with inspiration from the spice, fruit and fresh fish trade that the East London dock is famous for. Mr S’s starter was a classic example and we both enjoyed the light scallop ceviche that actually reminded me more of an Asian dish with the chilli, fennel and lemongrass snow.
My salmon had been sous vide so that it was beautifully tender and with a lightly smoked taste and I loved the interplay of textures on the plate with the kohlrabi and tapioca. Actually textural layering is something I noticed very much in the food created by Tomas Lidakevicus for Peninsula Restaurant.

Tomas has worked at several of London’s top restaurants including Texture, Corrigan’s Mayfair and City Social and he was extremely excited to be heading up Peninsula Restaurant. If you’re not following him on Instagram you should as you can see his food is not only delicious but it’s also a work of art.
My North Sea fillet of cod was one such masterpiece with beautiful swirls of squash dashing around the plate. The textural layering was there again with the nutty crunch of the lentils contrasting perfectly with the creamy sauce and the beautifully cooked flakey cod. Cured duck ham was a really interesting addition to the plate and it added a the perfect amount of saltiness to the dish.
Mr S enjoyed a perfectly cooked rib of beef with a side of ox cheek and garnish of pickled onion and salsify. We couldn’t resist ordering one of the vegetarian options as a side dish when we saw one of our favourites.

A really delicious dish of Jerusalem artichoke, partly grilled and partly in bread crumbs and enhanced with a perfectly seasoned leek velouté.
I was really intrigued to try a dessert of poached cucumber, though I must say that for me it just didn’t work. I think gherkins belong in burgers not paired white chocolate and passion fruit. Though the sorbet was refreshing and delicious.

By far our preferred dessert option was chocolate textures, a really delicious melange of orange gel with chocolate crumb, peanut brittle and a touch of mint to set it off.

After dinner I’d highly recommend going for a final drink at Eighteen Sky Bar, a super glam bar with a breathtaking view of the ‘Wharf from above….
Mr S and I were really impressed by the food and the service at Peninsula Restaurant, it is quite far to come from central London but it’s definitely the best dinner option if you’re coming to the O2…and the journey is worth it for the view alone.