Radisson Blu Edwardian Is a Heavenly London Concoction: Location, Fine Dining and Luxury Living

by Telegraph Reporters, The Telegraph, April 18, 2018

Seven streets converge at the aptly named Seven Dials in west London. People spill out into the narrow roads, clutching thick bundles of shopping bags or equally weighty cameras as they fiddle with lenses to zoom into the sundials which sit at the middle of the streets. 

The scene bears all the characteristics of this neighbourhood. Sitting from our window in the Edwardian Radisson Blu, you can see theatre goers making their way to Shaftesbury Avenue under a cluster of black umbrellas, couples carrying pizza boxes from the nearby Neil's Yard shopping district and a general buzz which can only be found in a city at 5.45pm on a Friday evening. 

We're entirely sheltered from the noise in here and it's astoundingly quiet considering the location. It's almost impossible to find a blissful quiet like this a few minutes walk from Covent Garden. Turning back to our suite on the first floor, I start making myself look presentable for dinner at The Monmouth Kitchen downstairs.

The Radisson Blu falls under the category of luxury boutique and this is apparent from the moment one walks into a suite. It's on trend: the room is a dark, sultry colour, with splashes of bolder shades and a jaw-dropping centrepiece which is an overarching bedpost over the colossal bed.

The room itself is recognisably city-ish in size, fairly snug but spacious enough to enjoy a seating area at the foot of the bed, a glistening bathroom and a walk-in area for food, drink and other amenities. 

There is a definite air of quirkiness which sees its luxurious nature upgraded to a more interesting, contemporary feel. 

You aren't short of things to do here and it's worth stumping up just for the easy access to some of London's best food, drink, bar and theatre attractions. So much is within walking distance, from the chic coffee shops this district has to offer to the colourful nightlife in Soho.  

I slip off a dress from the rails, finish the last of our wine and head down to dinner. It's the first restaurant attached to a hotel where it feels busier than the hotel itself. The doors open and close every few minutes as people pile into the Peruvian. We're shown to our table and take a look around before we delve into the menu.

It's sophisticated in here without the uncomfortable formalities and our waitress is friendly as she explains the tapas style menu.

The menu is split into two parts - Italian and Peruvian. Each dish is tapas size and she recommends two or three each if we're hungry. 

It's an elegant feast sizzling with flavour. First up is our trio of bruschetta. A burst of well seasoned cherry tomato, eggplant, spinach and soft cheese perfectly complementing the crunchy bread.

Next came the penne. Al dente, just how we want it, with a sharp, citric tomato sauce zinging to life with green chillies.

A fiery course done, our next is the robata grilled baby aubergine, sweeter and less harsh than the previous tomato flavours.

It is the most delicate of dishes - a single baby aubergine placed on the plate like a petal, brimming with vegetables and a thick sauce. 

Then comes the robata cob with salted chilli and lime, a perfect tangy platter of sweet corn heaped with chilli powder. 

By this point we are struggling for another plate each. Mains whisked away, we opt to share a dessert before leaving the Kitchen.

Out comes a honey and almond ice cream bowl and a long, slim plate of Chocolate Caliente. Unlike anything I've eaten before, or would have thought to choose had she not told us it was a Kitchen sell-out, I bite into the first of six warm, Peruvian chocolate spring rolls.

The slim rolls are served with fresh passion fruit and coconut sorbet and I can safely say it was a culinary explosion of incomparable heights.

It is one of the best desserts I've eaten in London and I can hardly believe it's in a hotel restaurant, where usually the food is conveniently speedy and really quite average. 

We turn down coffee, me for fear of losing the combination of tastes that came with the dessert, and head for a stroll.

It's dark now and the bustle has turned into a fierce roar as the evening crowds roam the West End.

We take a shortcut through Neal's Yard and back to the front of the Radisson, into the room and back to the dreamy quiet, enveloped by the seven bustling streets outside. 

 Studio Suite prices start at £489 per night including VAT.

 

This article was written by Telegraph Reporters from The Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].

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