A night out at The Savoy Hotel mostly spent at Kaspar’s Seafood Restaurant. We could have started the evening with a cocktail at the world-famous American Bar or ended our meal with a night cap in the art-deco Beaufort Bar … keep reading to find out more about this wonderful central London gem.
It’s the only road here in the UK you can drive on the left. Yes, people. The Savoy Hotel on The Strand in the heart of London. You know you’re in for a treat in both luxury and service, at least, when you see the Lalique crystal fountain and top-hat doffing doormen at the grand entrance.
As you walk through the hotel foyer, the first thing you notice is the beautiful flower displays, and this is the start of many.
Kaspar’s is a wonderful seafood bar at the rear of The Savoy Hotel in London. For those not in the know, this London institution has hosted royalty and world leaders to legends of the stage and screen. If only the walls could talk, I’d be there for hours.
The legend of Kaspar
For almost 90 years the Hotel has offered dining parties of thirteen the company of Kaspar the Cat. Thankfully, not a real puss but a statue created by the architect Basil Ionides in 1926. Kaspar sits on ‘unlucky’ tables with a napkin around his neck, a full place-setting before him, ready to enjoy every course served. Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill is the former River Restaurant and named after the ‘cat’.
Celebrations
August is an expensive month for me; it’s my birthday and my Mum’s. She loves seafood, we’ve eaten at Kaspar’s in the past and sat at their art deco bar which takes up the middle of the huge room. This time, we’re treated to a table close to the River, at the back of the Restaurant, and get to glimpse the Thames through the huge trees which also provide a screen for the bedrooms above us.
Kaspar’s Seafood Restaurant
Champagne for Mum and me, the house is Louis Roederer (£18.50), so we were in great company. Mr settled for a glass of house white wine, La Loupe (£9.50), a white Grenache with white fruits and fruity notes which worked well with his starter.
Service here is attentive, not at all imposing. Our waiter Ryan always had the right answer to our questions and a lovely smile.
Gorgeous sourdough arrived with soft cheese and butter, brown and white.
The starters were superb, but after I scanned the menu, I knew that it would be a large main course. Mr was the only one who opted for a starter but boy what a starter
The lobster and crab bisque was everything and more (£18.00).
Seafood
Mum chose the Fruits de Mer Platter (£39.00) for her main course. Sadly, my picture was blurry. A crushed ice platter arrived with four oysters, four huge prawns, white crab meat and two fat scallops. Mum ordered a side of skinny fries (£5.00). Excellent value.
I had the Atlantic cod fish and chips (£20.00) which is one of the tastiest plates of food I’ve had in a while. A huge piece of cod in the lightest batter had been fried and crisped to perfection. When cut large flakes of cod fell onto the plate, only to be stopped by a pea crush and thin whippet fries.
Mr chose Halibut, prawns and chorizo (£39.00) with a side of new potatoes (£5.00). There’s not much needed when you get the best quality products into your kitchen. As a chef, all you need to do is know how to cook them. And the chefs at Kaspar’s certainly have the skills. He fancied a glass of white wine to work well with the fish. A super crisp Domaine de l’Eglantiere arrived, a little steep at (£18.50) but Mr said it was well worth it and was the perfect compliment to his Halibut.
We looked at each other, beaten by the portions. No room for dessert.
There was, however, a Happy Birthday lollipop and a few iced bonbons which we managed to force down. I have no idea if Mum got it home in one piece, but she insisted on taking home her lollipop as a reminder of her beautiful evening.
The total for our meal, including 12.5% service (£23.38), was £210.38 (£61.00 was alcohol), which included free still and sparkling mineral water.
As we leave, we poke our nose into the shop and see the Chocolatier hard at work, beautiful works of art too by The Biscuiteers who have recreated the uniform of the mixologists at the world-famous American Bar and the Savoy Cocktail Book.
We say goodbye to the Hotel and Kaspar, the huge topiary cat, keeping an eye on proceedings outside his home.
Kaspar’s Seafood Bar & Grill, The Savoy, Strand, London, WC2R 0EU+44 (0) 20 7420 2111.
