A Perfect Night in London: 45 Park Lane
Words: Violet
Haute-cuisine, Mayfair and top-class sommeliers might not be the first things that spring to mind when we mention American food in London. But wait! Wolfgang Puck, California’s most notable chef, has produced a masterclass in implementing the best of the US with French technique in a sophisticated London style. Et voilà! Positioned alongside Hyde Park is Puck’s first European venture, CUT at 45 Park Lane.
The first thing we noticed on entering the Dorchester Collection’s 45 Park Lane Hotel was the sophisticated interior, the product of New York designer Thierry Despont. Soft, ambient lighting coupled with dark wood and neutral-toned finishes provide guests with an understated but suave overture to the meal. Akin to the hotel’s design was the pleasant atmosphere of the staff and guests – smart and fashionable but never ostentatious.
After being greeted by our enthusiastic sommelier, the waitress produced moreish all-American pretzel bread with seaweed and rosemary butters. This consumed our attention until a dozen cuts of meat was brought over and explained in detail. We chose US prime sirloin amongst a selection of Australian and British offerings.
To start, we feasted on tuna and steak tartare, both fresh and delicious, but our minds were fixated on what was next. Two hefty 14oz steaks – succulent and flavourful, slightly chargrilled on the outside yet perfectly rare in the middle – we can highly recommend it to any hungry carnivore out there.
Each course was complemented by a well-chosen wine from the sommelier, including Wolfgang Puck’s own Californian red., But it got even better! Because, if there is anything Americans do bigger and better than anyone else, it’s dessert. From a finger-licking selection of chocolate soufflé, peanut butter parfait and bruléed banana cream pie, we chose the ‘bounty’ cake – a fusion of chocolate, almond and coconut with crunchy praline biscuit and coconut-chocolate chip ice-cream. I’m not a fan of Bounty bars but this was fantastic!
The Gentleman’s Journal enjoyed a marvellous stay in one of the hotel’s avant-garde park-view rooms. The room was ablaze with ultra-sharp technology – a huuuuge Bang and Olufsen flatscreen TV hung on the wall just metres from our king size bed. A touch screen on the bedroom table offered every service needed from turning on and off one of the hundreds of lights, to calling our host for room service. A translucent marble-effect wall lit the bathroom with brilliant colours. As if this wasn’t enough, our room was luxuriously furnished with a grand sofa, a coffee table complete with iPad and a massive writing desk. As you can probably imagine, as comfort and technology lovers, we were incredibly at home.
Gentlemen, if you want the sophisticated hotel experience (albeit a rather ABBA heavy dinner soundtrack) with top table service, superb wine and a stylish whereabouts but crave american comfort food and living, this is the place for you.
For more information, visit 45 Park Lane
By Christopher Guy Evans
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
