But of course a stay here is not just about the room or suite . It is about the experience . The culture . The events . The atmosphere . And of course , the food .
From east London breweries to its herb gardens to its very own organic farm , The Stratford likes to keep things local ; whether served in The Mezzanine , the lounge bar for guests and residents to work , relax and connect ; Allegra , the hidden enclave on the 7th floor which offers high end dining with old-school hospitality ; or the contemporary Kitchen E20 , the welcoming all-day dining restaurant which was our own destination for dinner .
While it would have been easy to succumb to the drinks-first concept of great cocktails and impressive fizz ( which takes the sophisticated set through to dawn in The Mezzanine ), The Stratford has not compromised on its food offer . Its refinement and reputation upheld not least by being THE hotel for premier league stars to dine pre or post match .
Under the helm of effervescent head chef Josh Deacon , the food and beverage offer not only stretches from á la carte and buffet breakfasts ( the eggs Benedict is highly recommended ), through to boozy brunches , well conceived lunch menus to wood-fired fresh pizza for The Mezzanine and the range of Australasian-inspired small plate and á la carte options for dinner ( a clear nod that it ' s now the hipster postcode ) Deacon ’ s team cater for day visitors , hotel guests and residents on a 24-hour basis – no mean feat !
At Kitchen E20 , Deacon has worked hard to refine his menus to offer vibrant modern British cuisine underpinned by his own travels across Australia and the Far East . The open kitchen , complete with its own dining bar , offer unique glimpses beyond the pass effortlessly showcasing the energy and passion of the team which bring the dishes to life before they even hit your plate and indeed palate .
Taking our seats at a spacious round windowside table Deacon ’ s personal and professional influence was evident across the menu . ‘ Snacks ’ offered the first taste glimpse into his flavour combinations , here , moreish sourdough rolls were paired with Marmite butter , while the fought over duck bon bons were offset with rich hoisin sauce and the sharpness of pickled cucumber . Starters ranged from the fresh flavours of pea hummus with courgette bread and sumac oil to table-fave chicken yakitori with poached pears and bonito flakes . Diners then have the option of building their own salad bowl , from classic bases such as Caesar to more contemporary options such as the understandably popular smoked duck breast , pickled watermelon , Thai basil and hoisin , or to choose larger plates from the main menu . It was from the latter that we chose , rewarded with delicious offerings of Robata grilled lamb loin with lamb croquette , potato terrine and heritage carrot , and a perfectly poached cod with carrot purée , samphire and sea beet salad .
Despite its growing reputation and sophisticated take on modern British cooking , families aren ’ t forgotten at Kitchen E20 . While we were one of the few families staying and dining there was a welcoming and friendly approach , with a dedicated kids menu offering a choice of tasty child-friendly picks . The mini Stratford burger , delicate fish goujons with mushy peas and chips , and the dessert of warm freshly baked chocolate chip cookies proved a top little Ready pick .
The grownups ( and I use that term loosely ) weren ’ t forgotten for pud either , the menu offering the difficult decision between options such as the Madagasgan vanilla cheesecake and a lavender creme brulee with macerated strawberries . Mr R couldn ’ t resist the tiramisu while the red velvet chocolate brownie proved too tempting for my own chocoholic tastes .
The entire dining experience is notable not only for the inspired flavours , fantastically presented dishes and great drink pairings but also for its efficient yet personable service ; the atmosphere created not least by Deacon ’ s warmth and passion which floods from the open kitchen across the dining room .
With prices starting from £ 208 a night ( 2-sharing ) for plan-ahead stays in 2022 , brunch dishes all under £ 15 , small plates dinner dishes starting from £ 7 , and boasting a location mere steps from the high speed link that connects The Stratford to Kent in under half an hour , the question is when are you checking in and will you ever leave ?
The Stratford 20 International Way Olympic Park London E20 1FD www . thestratford . com
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THE BEST WAY TO GET TO LONDON
Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex , operating some 2,000 trains a day , including the high-speed from Ashford to St Pancras International in just 38 minutes . www . southeasternrailway . co . uk
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