With my wedding whirlwind, followed my a three day minimoon and a four week honeymoon, I’d been out of the ‘blogger loop’ for sometime. But once I was home, it was back in business and I was excited to reconnect with all the new blogging buddies I’d made in the last year.
Starting with…the lovely Melanie from Sunny in London.
On our first lunch date we met at Bubbledogs and afterwards had a final glass of champagne at The Charlotte Street Hotel, part of the Firmdale collection. We both loved the beautifully designed hotel, so The Ham Yard Hotel, Firmdale’s latest venture, seemed the perfect place for us to reunite after a two month absence.
We’d had our first lunch date over several glasses of champers so a glass of Veuve Cliquot was the perfect way to begin this happy reunion…
And as we toasted to blogs, weddings, honeymoons and lovely luxury hotels, we perused the menu of classic dishes.
I chose the the summer minestrone with asparagus, peas and beans to start.
It was a great light choice and not too watery as I feared. There was a little oil on the top, which added greatly to the flavour and meant the soup wasn’t too thin.
But I had total food envy when I saw Melanie’s scallops served with cauliflower, apple and truffle! I love scallops so I probably would have preferred one more in the portion and though they were well cooked, they were a little on the salty side.
Perfectly cooked rare tuna served with artichokes and aubergine was the ideal choice for me as I absolutely love this combo! If I see artichoke or aubergine on a menu I have to have it, so the two together are heaven!
Melanie’s poached cod was served on a gorgeous emerald sea of parsley risotto with a tasty crisp piece of pancetta.
We were having such a lovely time chatting that we barely noticed that the restaurant was emptying out.
But when we did it gave us the perfect opportunity to photograph the dining room.
As with the other Firmdale Hotels, The Ham Yard is beautifully designed by the Firmdale owner and award-winning interior designer, Kit Kemp. Beautiful glass chandeliers hang from the ceiling and the dining room itself is a perfectly chosen eclectic collection of prints, artifacts and pictures.
After lunch we went to explore further…
Being a book worm I loved the library:
With it’s plush furnishings and huge hand-picked book collection.
I could just curl up on this sofa and get lost in a book all afternoon…adjacent to the library is an honesty bar in case I require a sturdy cup of coffee or a chilled glass of champagne!
Down in the basement you’re welcomed to a whole other world.
The huge, subterranean basement area is decorated with cool neon signs…
and a sculpture of oranges!!
And best of all…
A bowling alley!! But not just any bowling alley, this one was super funky with beautiful solid maple bowling lanes, comfy sofas and the option to have UV shoelaces in your vintage bowling shoes. I love the idea of hiring out the whole of the bowling alley for a unique party idea.
Back outside I admired the courtyard, which seemed like the perfect place for a cocktail on a sunny day.
The Ham Yard is not only a hotel, but it is also the central feature to an urban village. Surrounding the hotel are gorgeous boutiques including a florist, swim wear shop, tea shop and nail bar. Plus a newly opened Press Juice Bar has just joined the fab selection.
Though I didn’t get to take a look, The Ham Yard also includes a spa, gym, theatre and rooftop garden! There really is everything located in this charming complex in Soho. I already love all the Firmdale hotels…but I think I have a new favourite!!
The Ham Yard
1 Ham Yard
London
W1D 7DT
020 3642 2000
