Dining with a View: Ting Restaurant at the Shard
The Ting Restaurant at the Shard combines elegant Chinoiserie design, a panoramic view of London and a menu of diverse tastes.
Ting Restaurant at the Shard
The Shard is the tallest building in western Europe and home to the luxurious Shangri La Hotel (floors 34 – 52). Take that super-fast elevator to level 35 and you’ll find yourself at the Ting Restaurant and Lounge.
The Venue: Ting Restaurant at the Shard
Ting means living room in Chinese and walking in, I thought how I would love to have a living room like that — a Chinoiserie interior of dark paneled wood and deep mauve colors, classic yet contemporary. What makes the space especially impressive is the wall of full-length windows that offer a sky-high view of London.
When I arrived for dinner with my friends, Elena and Chrysoula, it was raining and quite foggy. Sitting by the window, we anticipated the fog to lift. It did and there it was, the twinkling and gorgeous nighttime panorama of the capital including the River Thames and Tower Bridge.
Both the restaurant and lounge share the same floor space. The dining tables are generously spaced so areas feel quite private.
The Menu: Ting Restaurant at the Shard
The menu at the Ting Restaurant at the Shard combines several cuisines. One menu features Asian choices with Shangri-La Asian specialties such as curry laksa and Hainan chicken rice. The modern European selections featured starters such as Scottish smoked salmon and an array of gourmet sandwiches including focaccia, club and tuna. Main dishes included free range chicken breast and steaks. There were Middle Eastern plates to consider too, including a platter selection of Arabic mezze with Arabic bread.
Surprised by the choice, I decided to try the European a la carte menu. We started off our meal and the night with fantastic cocktails.
The sommelier presented us with his suggestion which was a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, a 2012 Anthonij Rupert Optima. The soft-textured, coastal South African wine had hints of blackcurrant and plum. A good choice indeed for the meat dishes to follow.
My soup starter was a smooth, creamy lobster bisque featuring Cornish lobster, citrus and crème fraiche.
Then came the main. I had ordered a medium steak which was glazed with a soya and cherry vinegar – flavorful and tender. Grilled tomato, mushroom and water cress accompanied it as well as crisp French fries with a Béarnaise sauce.
Desserts: Ting Restaurant at the Shard
We decided to share a few desserts including a panacotta with peach compote and hazelnut, a raspberry and vanilla cheesecake with raspberry jelly and raspberry sorbet and a passion fruit crème brulee with exotic compote and mango. With a lifelong penchant for crème brulee, I had a feeling it would be my favorite. Made like a perfect crème brulee should be with a rich custard base topped with a crispy hard caramel top layer, this one featured the sweet kick that a combination of passion fruit and mango can only create.
Conclusion: The Ting at the Shard, London
Overall, I found the service to be friendly and professional. The menu is kind of a journey in world cuisines, a plus for anyone who loves choice. The prices for appetizers ran £9 to £15 and steak dishes between £42 to £50. I didn’t find the rates excessive given the level of service, the venue and the stunning view of London. A meal at the Ting at the Shard is memorable on many levels.
The Ting Restaurant at the Shard
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
An afternoon tea is also served here.
From £60 per person.
Ting Restaurant at the Shard London
Shangri-La Hotel
www.shangri-la.com/london
31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU
For reservations: +44 20 7234 8108
For more about things to do in London, check out my Visit England page.
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Have you ever dined with an incredible city view in Europe? I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to comment below.
