Five star service all the way at Nipa Thai, Royal Lancaster Hotel
By Paloma Lacy
At Nipa Thai, International Women’s Day lasts all year round.
Girl power is alive and well at the Royal Lancaster Hotel’s flagship restaurant, with an all-girl kitchen in attendance.
This place is old school in every way imaginable, which makes it the perfect spot for an intimate dinner.
The staff are visibly available but manage seamless and almost silent service – you barely know they’re there, but when you need them, suddenly appear.
The décor is typically Thai, fitted out in beautiful wood imported from the homeland, to stunning visual effect.
I don’t often eat Thai because I’m not lucky enough to live near enough to some of the better restaurants, much like Nipa Thai.
A starter of spring rolls, satay chicken, prawn dumplings, all served with the freshest house sauces, oozing chilli and the sweetest of heats, was spot on.
Sharing platters always go down well and set the scene for a convivial evening.
My friend couldn’t resist an often ordered dish – red curry – but declared it to be “next level stuff”.
I left myself in the capable hands of our host, who recommended grilled sirloin of beef in chilli sauce.
A first time, but definitely not a last for me, that’s for sure.
This is one of those dinners which will live long in the memory, making a lasting imprint on my taste buds.
Nipa Thai is definitely a restaurant with a view, overlooking Hyde Park, no less.
The bright lights of our night-time visit were stunning enough, but I imagine sunset would be even nicer.
The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to 10.30pm. And of course, the experience doesn’t have to end at dinner.
For those in need of some R&R, or even a launch pad to explore this great city, the Royal Lancaster is a grand dame of a hotel.
Five star service all the way and grounds so glorious and lush that they remove the visitor from the confines of city living.
Elsewhere, healthy seeds sown during Veganuary look set to continue.
The most common complaint against going vegan is the time consuming nature of recipes.
That’s no longer an excuse, with so many brands of ready-to-cook dishes available.
Beyond Meat is one that makes it easy to embrace veganism.
The range includes burgers, mince, sausages, meat balls, ready to cook or follow easy recipes online.
Its acceptance into the mainstream was further endorsed by the introduction of McDonald’s McPlant burger, complete with Beyond Meat patties, earlier this year.
With an impressive number of professional sports players as fans of Beyond Meat, a vegan diet obviously has huge health benefits.
A survey of 2021 participants suggests 49 per cent of people taking on the Veganuary challenge saw improvements to their energy levels, and 46 per cent said the lifestyle change had positively affected their mood.
Just look at how happy and healthy Chelsea player Romelu Lukaku looks tucking into bangers and mash at The Chelsea Pensioner pub in the Fulham Road.
Finally this week, i’s World Margarita Day on Tuesday, and Brixton Village looks like the place to celebrate, with three venues offering up Mexico’s signature cocktail.
Hacha serves 25 different agave spirits, alongside traditional Mexican cuisine.
Go along and sample Mirror Margarita, crystal clear to the naked eye, but a zingy Margarita all the same.
Spice lovers, make your way to family-run Jalisco for a Margarita de Tamarindo, with a tangy Mexican classic with tamarind. just to name a few.
Those looking for more of a party atmosphere, Lost in Brixton’s roof top bar boasts cracking margaritas, with DJs and live music nightly
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