Sometimes you need to find that extra-special place for that extra-special event, so thank the food gods for the Oxo Tower, who have literally redefined fine dining with their new 2015 menu.
Personally, as soon as I heard the words ‘Martini’ and ‘trolley’, I knew this was worth investigating. In addition to this frankly miraculous innovation, there are those views and a customisable menu, which means you can try several dishes as sharing plates or swap over mains and starters. Perfect for the picky eaters among us (me) and those who like to try a bit off everyone’s plate (my husband).
As soon as we walked into the luxe space, I was drawn first to the amazing views, then swiftly on to the huge Martini trolley, which was wheeled over by a rather dapper mixologist with the cocktail knowledge to ace Mastermind. After being presented with a menu detailing the 'Evolution of the Martini', we were offered a choice of five tipples dating from 1884 to the present day to suit every palette. For those with a sweeter tooth, I strongly recommend going right back to the beginning with the darkly decadent Martinez. Delish.
Last but not at all least, the unbelievably fresh, seasonal (natch) food was a revelation, with every element (sometimes surprisingly) complementing each other perfectly. Who knew kale pesto would be the best thing ever?! With such generous portions, we were almost too full for dessert. But not quite… We just managed to make room for the passion fruit soufflé – a light, fluffy delight.
We stayed and enjoyed too many cocktails until too late, but the next day’s hangover didn’t stop us booking to go back for our wedding anniversary. Fabulous food, incredible views and an actual cocktail trolley… Pick your favourite person and treat them to a truly special night out. They’ll love you even more than they do already (if that’s possible).