A homage to fine dining

The starter was Pan Seared Foie Gras... stunning.

LONDON, Aug 29 Not one to miss out on a good opportunity to eat well, and as I was going to be in London, I purchased two vouchers from online dealmakers Travelzoo which would allow us to see how the other half live: for just 70 (RM350), the pair of us could dine in style at the restaurant of the world-famous Waldorf Hilton in Aldwych.

The night we chose to eat there was, coincidentally, the eve of the Royal Wedding, so the evening was memorable not just because of this special treat, but also because the minicab (with strict UK drink/drive laws, this seemed the most sensible way to do it, particularly as the offer also included a glass of champagne aperitifs each) went down the very route that the soon-to-be Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would take the next day.

With its 58-metre (190-feet) frontage, the imposing Edwardian building is currently undergoing major reconstruction, so the entrance was slightly disappointing I had expected a grand foyer. But that was soon put right when we walked into the ground-floor Homage Grand Salon.

The other starter of hand-cut Iberian Jabugo ham.

Despite the understated elegance and the high ceilings from which hang sparkling chandeliers, it is surprisingly cosy, and you really get the feel of grand old-style European cafes, hence the name.

The menu seemed a scaled-down version of the normal a la carte, but offered enough choice to satisfy us to go with the bubbly (Piper Heidsieck, no less), my dining partner chose the Pan-seared Foie Gras with blackcurrant dressing, and I settled for the hand-cut Iberian Jabugo Ham, an entire hock of which was proudly displayed on a sideboard and beckoned to me enticingly. This red, cured, uncooked meat from Spain was tender and ju! icy, alt hough I do vaguely regret not going for their eponymous salad.

At 19 a pop for each starter, we were well on our way to justifying the tickets. And we hadnt even made inroads into the main courses yet, which cost up to 36, although anything beyond 28 had to be topped up.

Pretty swanky eh?

As I opted for the Dover Sole glazed with crayfish bisque and sauted spinach, the most expensive, and when it came apparently the largest item on the menu, it meant I had to pay extra.

The other dish was Veal Medallion with sweetbread (29) and it was excellent. Choices included Guinea Fowl, Pot au Feu of Winter Vegetables, and a selection of grilled items.

For afters, my Mille Feulle was disappointing; it didnt live up to my vision of layers of light-as-air crispy pastry interleafed with cream, but the Lemon Mousse was excellent, cold, tart and sweet.

Wines were, by Malaysian standards, remarkably reasonable: a bottle of Berri-Estates Unoaked Chardonnay cost a mere 29 (RM180). Service was excellent, particularly as French Maitre d Thibault Matherat took the trouble to show us round the rest of the ground floor, which included the spacious Palm Court, scene of many pre-war films, where they have just resurrected their famous tea dances: rather like a Noel Coward play, you can step back in time and partake of Traditional English Afternoon Tea whilst a live 5-piece band entertains you.

It was definitely worth money, and although Travelzoo no longer offers this special price, the experience is certainly something to try next time you are in London.

Salon Grand Homage

The Waldorf Hilton Hotel

Aldwych

London WC2B 4DD

Tel: +44(0)207 836 2400

www.hilton.co.uk/waldorf