Supper under the storeyed staircase at the world-famous St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is the ultimate in luxury.
The Neo-Gothic setting is awash with showbiz vibes – if you recall, the Spice Girls’ very first music video for their hit Wannabe was filmed there and it also cameos in Harry Potter and James Bond films. It’s commanding, grand and for the first time in the hotel’s history, it’s now a supper spot.
Bedecked with candles and with a piano nearby, a table will be tucked under the three-storey staircase for a scrumptious dinner event for up to eight guests.
We attended the inaugural feast and we can highly recommend it.
Guests can create bespoke fare with executive chef Adam Ashe but we sampled a seasonal, winter menu that was perfect for the cold, blustery weather we’re having.
We began with ice-cold Veuve Clicquot (our favourite) in stunning copper flutes and fabulous canapes – very in keeping with the medieval, film-set decor.
The first course was a Devon crab cake with fingerling potatoes with dill and paprika mayonnaise – meaty, fresh and tangy.
Next up was a refreshing Jerusalem artichoke soup, a marvellous palette cleanser to prepare us for the slow-cooked beef cheek. Very rich, caramelly and with added heartiness of carrots, mash and veal jus.
After a brief pause, we finished with a sticky date pudding, a real British favourite. Traditionally this is a very heavy choice, but Chef Ashe kept it airy enough so that a glass of excellent sweet dessert wine went very well with it.
The experience is truly unique and you feel glamorous indeed to be seated at the scene of so much history – both fictional and real life.
As an added touch of fabulous, the hotel can provide you with an opera singer. In true Renaissance style, where opera was born and a love song to Gilbert Scott’s theatrical design, a dedicated team can arrange arias performances on the staircase.
And the piano? It’s one of those magic ones that plays itself.
An engagement, an anniversary, for Mother’s Day or just a group of friends after a bit of splendid – all of these events would be perfect there.
The dining experience at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is available to book now, at £155 per person, including champagne and wine pairings. The experience is available for private bookings for an additional £594.
For more information and to book email bookingoffice@renaissancehotels.com
All imagery provided by the venue.