Ting in the Shangri-La offers a dining experience you’ll never forget…
If the jaw-dropping views from TING on the 35th floor of the Shard aren’t enough to entice you to dine here, let us tell you the food most certainly should be. Begin your evening being whisked rapidly up 35 floors before heading to TING – beautifully decorated, peppered with sleek Asian influence and panoramic views of the city. Tables are generously spaced, and a beautiful grand piano takes pride of place in the centre of the floor. There is a warm hue to the air and the atmosphere is instantly soothing, a world away from the thousands of lights zipping around the city below. TING offers a modern British menu with subtle Asian influences, featuring dishes made with fresh locally-sourced ingredients. The air smells delicious, subtle scents of cooking dishes married with gentle waves from fresh flowers. Three and five course tasting menus are available, and we suggest you opt for the wine pairing for the full experience. Your sommelier will advise on the best wines to go with your food – and you won’t be disappointed.
We began our meal with hot bread rolls which we devoured while poring over our three-course tasting menu. We had the choice of Delica Pumpkin Velouté, Loch Var Salmon or Game Terrine and I opted for the pumpkin, while my partner opted for the salmon. The Delica Pumpkin Velouté was beautifully presented, with a portion of goat’s curd and pumpkin seeds. It was full of flavour, each texture complimenting each other perfectly. The Loch Var Salmon arrived cured and smoked, the level of smokiness hitting it just right and its accompaniment of Nashi Pear and wild rice perfectly offsetting the different flavours.
Mains included Orchard Farm Pork, Line Caught Stone Bass or Heritage Carrots, a simple yet varied choice, designed to appease a variety of dietary preferences. My choice of Orchard Farm Pork turned out to be a great one – it was perfectly cooked, soft and tender, with crunchy crackling sprinkled on top and a slice of tangy baked pineapple to the side. My partner’s stone bass was a similar success story – the portion large, the fish cooked perfectly and the side of XO sauce and salt and pepper squid delicious.
Be sure to leave room for dessert at TING in the Shangri-La for it is a real highlight to the meal – culinary masterpieces both aesthetically and for the taste buds. The choices here were between an Exotic Almond Delice, Cheese board and Citrus Crème. We both opted for the Exotic Almond Delice and it did not disappoint. Again, the portion size was large, something you don’t always expect when out for dinner. It was accompanied by an almond sponge, a milk chocolate and passion fruit mousse and a Mango Chantilly. Not only did it look divine, but each mouthful tasted it too.
We rounded the evening off with a hot peppermint tea, watching the hustle and bustle of the city lights below. TING is one of those restaurants that leaves you feeling like you’ve had a mini break from the real world. It wraps you in its ethereal demeanour and leaves you feeling as though you’ve been well looked after. Each dish is meticulously crafted to perfection, the marrying of flavours and textures executed precisely. It’s somewhere to head to for a special occasion, for a real treat, or if you just feel like drinking really, really good wine and eating even better food. We can’t wait for an excuse to return.
TING in the Shangri-La
Shangri-La Hotel
31 St Thomas St
London
SE1 9QU
