Lunch at the Mandarin Oriental

About a year ago, Mandarin Oriental opened their second hotel in London and, having read all about it in Condé Nast Traveller (which, incidentally, has its editorial office just across Hanover Square), I was intrigued to check it out, especially its rooftop bar with expansive views over central London.

With double rooms going for £1,200 (sic!) tonight, Anna and I decided that it made far more sense to stay at the Ibis Budget next to Heathrow for £50 and spend a tiny fraction of the difference on lunch and champagne at the Mandarin Oriental’s 12th-floor “Abar”. While I opted for the Salmon Sashimi Don, Anna went all in with the Wagyu Burger. Both dishes were truly divine, perhaps not surprising given that the place has already bagged a Michelin star.

Afterwards, we popped into Hagen Espresso Bar next door for a stellar caffeine fix and a few posters of the sandy Danish west coast which was just the mental preparation we needed before taking a summer-warm Piccadilly Line underground train back to reality in Hounslow West.