Aldgate, that little nook situated just outside the heart of the city and on the cusp of Shoreditch, it offers an exciting mix of rooftop bars and historic landmarks within walking distance of the famous Spitalfields markets. The perfect spot for a stay in London or lunch it would seem.
Hotel Saint underwent a rebrand in 2023. Formerly the Dorsett City London, Hotel Saint is now a 4-star hotel with a 5-star feel. Due to its proximity to the city, the views from the bedrooms almost feel 4D, enabling guests to experience the energy of the city from the comfort of their luxuriously appointed suite. This hotel, whilst being in the ideal location for corporate guests, also screams naughty weekend away. As I sunk into the carpet and caught my reflection in the highly polished gold finishings, I plotted my next staycation.
Within the hotel, The Cardinal Bar & Kitchen is a stylish spot in which to dine. The restaurant’s interior design is a stunning fusion of bold artwork and colonial-inspired elements that make it feel inviting and fun, and a cut above the average hotel restaurant. The outdoor terrace and large bar area also make it an ideal spot for after-work drinks or lunch.
The newly launched menu has a small plates section perfect for sharing with friends. The dishes are inspired from every corner of the globe, with a zingy Salmon Takki vibrant with ponzu and lime, to Samphire Bhajia served with a tamarind and mint chutney.
There is a crowd-pleasing mains menu with all the hotel classics that you might expect, Burgers, Steaks, Fish n Chips, and an interesting Salt Baked Sea Bass that serves two. But with the light dancing on our cocktails and a buzz in the air, we decided to commit to the sharing plates, and we were not disappointed.
The Mezze Platter was a generous portion of falafel, hummus, olives, and breads accompanied by an intriguing Iman Bayaldi dip. Something I had not tried before, a rich tomato-based dip that brought everything to life.
We devoured the Lamb Birra Tacos, which had a gorgeous crunch, yielding to a soft, slow-cooked tender lamb, dunked in that Aji Amarillo braising sauce, we were taken to foodie heaven. Vegetarians are taken care of as well with an interesting take on King Oyster Mushroom Shawarma served with a pomegranate jewelled Fattoush Salad, and there are also plenty of bar snack style choices such as Korean Fried Chicken Wings and Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower.
For dessert, my attentive server Josh highly recommended the Sticky Toffee Pudding and Pistachio Cheesecake, and he was not wrong! The Sticky Toffee Pudding was studded with juicy pops of fruit and nuts and was so moist it was hard not to finish. The Pistachio Cheesecake was a Basque-style affair generously garnished with crunchy Kataifi pastry for that glorious contrasting crunch.
The combination of global influences, exceptional flavours, and the ability to sample a variety of dishes makes The Cardinal Bar & Kitchen a great choice if you are in the area or planning a visit.
Review and Images by Emmie Blower @emmiebhungry
Feature image supplied
