LONDON beautifully decked out in seasonal decor , around to the main dining space which occupies almost the entirety of the floor .
Derived from the Chinese word for ‘ living room ’, TÎNG is the collective name of the hotel ’ s signature restaurant and lounge . Catering for hotel guests and day visitors alike , its unique setting is perfect for sunrise breakfasts , special lunches , sunset afternoon teas and indulgent á la carte dinners to the nightlights of London ; all to the backdrop of unsurpassed iconic London views .
The points of The Shard actually align with the compass points , with the dining room cleverly designed to make the most of every viewpoint . Being 128 metres up , the floor-to-ceiling windows naturally provide the main focal point with views of Tower Bridge , St Paul ’ s Cathedral , the London Eye and the financial district just some of the eye-catching sights available from the primely situated tables and perfect-for-tea low sofa and coffee table setups .
It was at the former that my guests and I took our seats , basking in a rare early spring-sun-filled day that made the Thames glisten below , while staring in wonder at the myriad of the capital ’ s busy transport lines , snaking like a miniature railway below . Eyes drawn away from the view , we were able to take in the beauty of our surroundings : dark wood furniture , ornate oriental screens , sleek polished tables and curved plush sofas - traditional Far Eastern glamour with a contemporary twist and a side order of theatrics .
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Food at TÎNG is modern European with an Asian flair , demonstrating Shangri- La ’ s commitment to providing ethically sourced and local ingredients through its ‘ Rooted in Nature ’ initiative which also promotes responsible food choices . At lunch , dishes are offered as a great value set two- or three-course menu , starting from just £ 39 , which , reassuringly , did not compromise on quality , taste or ethos .
With an eclectic array of palates and tastes , the team were impressed by the variety of flavours from just three choices in each section .
Starters delivered a standout heritage beetroot salad which packed a flavourful punch of miso , soy and garlic in its beautifully presented dish ; the cured Scottish salmon offered richer , spicier flavours courtesy of coriander , chilli and ginger ; while the pressed wild game terrine delivered hunks of game meat alongside sour plums and lemon balm for sour fruity freshness .
Keeping up the fish / meat division mains were a split between the roasted Skrei cod - perfectly pan-seared and surrounded by Scottish mussels , it was the pouredtableside depths of the coconut broth laced with lemongrass that added the delicate flavours of the East , and the soy-braised beef cheeks which dissolved in umami gloriousness laced with heat from pickled chilli , the unique flavour of Lapsang Souchong broccoli , hits of spring onion and the stickiness of its soy glaze .
Desserts continued the sweet / spicy pendulum of flavours offering a delicious smooth mandarin mousse with a black sesame crunch and sharp yuzu sorbet and delicate Shang Mont Blanc chestnut mousse with blackcurrant . However , having developed serious FOMO watching adjacent diners ’ afternoon teas , we were treated to a very special addition to conclude our lunch : TÎNG ’ s signature afternoon tea ’ s current showstopper masterpiece - an actual chocolate Shard ! With the iconic tower built entirely of rich , dark chocolate with a honeycomb pattern to celebrate those aforementioned Bermondsey bees , the delicate chocolate shards peeled back to reveal a divine white chocolate mousse , kaffir lime sponge and rich berry centre . Of course delivered in now renowned TÎNG theatrical style , the cascading waves of dry ice smoke really did bring a new moment of ‘ Shard in the clouds ’ wonder to an already incredible dining destination experience .
Dining here remains really quite special .
Two-course set lunch costs £ 39pp , with three-courses available from £ 49pp . The special Bees in Bloom Afternoon Tea in exclusive collaboration with renowned luxury handmade jewellery brand , Alex Monroe , is available until 12 May 2024 priced at £ 79 , or £ 89 including a glass of Champagne .
TÎNG Level 35 , Shangri-La Hotel 31 St Thomas Street London SE1 9QU
ting . slln @ shangri-la . com 020 7234 8108
www . ting-shangri-la . com
tinglondon shangrilalondon
With super fast connections courtesy of Southeastern ' s High Speed trains , venture to London in less than an hour , all ready to enjoy a luxury epicurean adventure . www . southeasternrailway . co . uk www . insidekent . co . uk • 115