The word on the street this summer has been all about the Corinthia Hotel London. Just set back from the Thames, a wander from Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Mayfair, this property boasts an ideal location. With this in mind, the hotel is extremely popular among Londoners and tourists alike.

I was lucky enough to get a reservation at Massimo Restaurant, the hotel’s fine dine Mediterranean seafood offering.

Massimo has an oyster bar attached, so guests can either enjoy a light, exquisite snack or chose from the restaurant menu. I opted for the full menu and was taken to my seat.

Inside the restaurant, the décor is fine Venetian, with candy-striped poles, classic European soft furnishings and elegant chandeliers. The sun shone outside and burst brightly into the extremely large dining area through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

I had a look around and noticed a mixed array of people, some dressed in loafers and lounge suits; others out to impress in their finest dresses and three-piece suits. European families dined together and couples cosied up on the booth-style seating. It was a fine mix of people.

A glass of champagne arrived and my dining companion and I settled into the menu, where a tasty selection of seafood presented itself.

For starters I opted for the pan-fried scallops with baby spinach and sautéed yellow tomatoes and for main I chose the linguine  “Carmelo style” with clams, red prawns, squid, mussels and fresh tomatoes, with a light Sancerre to accompany it all.

The starters came, extremely well presented, on a large white plate. The waiter asked once if everything was to satisfaction (it was) and then left us alone to enjoy. The scallops were delicious, the fusion of delicate flavours all worked harmoniously.

The main courses came after we had a little break, and once again the seafood was cooked to perfection. I must add here that my companion, a lobster spaghetti connoisseur, took his first mouthful and beamed a smile of glowing approval. It was a big hit.

My linguine was also very tasty and light; it didn’t leave me feeling heavy like some pasta dishes can, and most importantly, I had enough room for the final course. The Sancerre was delightful too.

For dessert we both opted for a selection of sorbet, which was light, refreshing and perfect for this rare balmy summer evening in London.

With the sun shining in London, the temperature had reached the late 20’s, and dining at this fine restaurant really felt as if I had been transported over to the Aegean for the evening.

What I enjoyed about this restaurant was there was no hurry to eat and leave. It was a whole dining experience. Massimo is a perfect choice for a romantic meal, a catch-up with old friends or a family celebration.

Corinthia Hotel London

Whitehall Place
London SW1A 2BD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7930 8181

http://www.corinthia.com/en/London/home/