HadesNL

The cruel irony:
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/20...-on-park-lane/

this writer, with unknowing dramatic irony, wrote: “…with permanent residency at the hotel, Webb has, save for a few unnecessary flourishes, found his footing.”

aka:
The haunting spectre of the old headless abbot strikes again

Atacama40

The way I heard it Hades is that the hotel is making huge margin on rooms in 23 but very low on F&B. This is what prompted the change.

That corner of the hotel (previously Cookbook Cafe then Al Canta then Alex Webb) does seem fated some as you rightly say. Especially when you consider the location and postcode. It seems the product offered by Alex Webb just didn't ring the bell with ICPL regulars, casuals or locals seeking something different. Have to confess I also never actually went. I don't believe it was necessarily down to quality of product in fairness. Those I have heard who went, were very complimentary .... it just (how do they say?) .... "failed to launch".The menu didn't speak to me greatly but specific reasons to why are not yet shared. I'll have a chat.

In fairness the very obvious step to go Lebanese with an ME slant seems more than sensible .... for very obvious demographics ... and why not? Have to confess, it appeals a good deal more to me than previous incarnations. Will be interesting to see the look and feel. I know it was open early part of July. Wife and I saw the new logos and entrance apparently. I say apparently as I can't say as I recall it too well (i.e. at all) .... seems I had partaken in a little too much beverage in Hyde Park that evening. Ahem.

Now what we could still use in London is a top notch Indonesian like you are fortunate to have access to in your back yard. Can you believe there still is not one in London? And seriously nothing to compare to AMS.

If the Lebanese fails Hades, we need to approach ICPL management and get the folks at Blauw or suchlike to open up there. We can be sleeping shareholders taking a percentage But I do seriously think London needs this. At the ICPL would be brilliant .... but lets hope the current new opening has more success than it's predecessors.

HadesNL

Atacama40 : thanks for your time to provide us with your insights as our resident IC Parklane sage,

Interesting that Theo makes it work since 2006,
Although technically it is a windowsless box,
The staff, the food, the light design and Theo's intervals of regional cuisine focus make it a solid choice to return to.

I must admit Lebanese food is one if my favorites too,
According to the website, the new restaurant seems to be open till very late so it could be the right gimmick of survival,
catering to crowds for those post theater suppers.

I might pop in to take a look in September but we've got 2 dinners at Theo already booked....
Once just with S/O and once with my old boarding school chum tagging along to surprise S/O for his birthday...
I know, bit of lazy but the stay is going to be from lounge F&B to Theo and back again for a constant 96 hours .....

HadesNL

Tidbits info

Just having a back and forth with reservations,
Some information that could be useful for others,

Context:
As RA booked Mayfair Hyde Park Suite > cat+1 upgrade > Mayfair Hyde Park Prestige Suite

Keep in mind i got this info as RA booking an award stay
for my boarding school chum whom shall be joining us (staying solo)
- award room books into cosy
- beginning september
- upgrading a cosy (unrenovated junk) to a Mayfair Collection cosy (renovated) à £105 p/night
- adding Club Intercontinental privileges à £95 p/night

YMMV, other tariffs might apply
- if Diamond AMB or Platinum AMB or Diamond/Plat/Gold/Silver/Base
- if double occupancy vs solo
- depending on hotel occupancy / holidays / peak & off peak dates
(prices at Mid September London fashion & design week have gone bananas! )

HadesNL

Drat....
am just missing the Pen's soft opening at 12 September

https://www.peninsula.com/en/newsroom/london
google mentions opening on 12 September but the basic class of rooms & suites

the extravaganza suites and the rest opening at a later date
https://www.peninsula.com/en/london/opening-facilities

HadesNL

Seems the revenant of the old headless abbot has a thing going on ......

Theo phoned up to apologise that a private event will be held there on Wednesday,
And if i would be interested in trying out the new Lebanese place?

So i am taking one for the team here, as i searched high and low and there aren't many review out there
And if there are excellent reviews.... it all refers back to Alex's restaurant on the old location

tom tulpe

If the Lebanese thing doesn't work out, they'll have to ask Salt Bae - that would fit right in

HadesNL

Are we talking about this:
Salt Bae Burger
https://ny.eater.com/2023/6/12/23755...20this%20month.
&
https://www.thenationalnews.com/worl...on-restaurant/


Ahum,
If i need a musculuar man to cook for me,
seek no further than my S/O,
although i do need to get groceries myself as i otherswise i would getting only healthy ptoteins on my plate
love conquers all but even my stomach has limits !


I am of the age of Chiltern Firehouse,
prepandemic they were quite pleasent and good for Mother & the lads
(we only got in thanks to S/O & Nina casually name dropping the list)

but Salt Bae takes it to next level of obnoxious....
youtube is very unforgiving :
actually pretty sad my kids seem to know him and I don't ...
tom tulpe : thanks for the friendly warning

Atacama40

That must have been the longest build up ever. But at last a firm date. Clearly the same project managers as IC Rome and IC Crete .... dear me.

Atacama40

But you know the weirdest thing Hades ... we were pointed to a steakhouse in Istanbul when staying at the IC maybe back in 2014 0r 15 maybe. And little did we know, it was this guys original place. And it was in fairness superb. Yes a little top heavy on the shmaltzy MC stuff, but the delivered product was very very good.

Little did we know that 6-7 years later it would turn into what it is now. I guess you can't blame him in a way. if people prepared to pay then why not let them? But it really was something in those more modest times.

tangey

Hes the guy that there was a major outrage about when he was all over the pitch at the mens world cup football finals and posing with the players including Messi etc doing that silly salt sprinkling gesture that he does. Big enquiry as to what the hell he was doing there and how did he get access.....apparently he was favoured by some of the high up FIFA execs.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ing-Qatar.html

"FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously been pictured at Salt Bae's restaurants."

Yeah I know dail mail, but its the first link that came up.

HadesNL

Staying live at IC PL,

Is there anyone still left in Qatar ?
Doha must be quite empty this week.....
I've never seen so many cars with Qatarese license plates,
And different sets of harems,
And all in traditional dress.....

With these tropical temperatures in London,
It feels like the hotel hosts tout Qatar with a dash of those of the country of "Da, Darlings" thrown in ....
Just a weird realisation.....
As usually at IC AMS, Qatarese are usually incognito plain clothes..... you know .....
And at IC PLG, the harem quickly flutters via the secret passage from their suite to the club lounge and back ......

And to show you what i am talking about,



Must be a warning sign for the sheik,
as normally filling up the baths for the harem,
would put a strain on the watersupply of the sheik's oasis,
causing it to dry up more quickly than expected.........

HadesNL

So y'all are informed what the price level is and what is possible

HadesNL

Especially for RA quite interesting,
This is at present the contents and pricing:



Contents minibar: its one of those "touch it and pay"

Minibar price list

Smythmeister

I stayed here this weekend. On checkout was presented with a higher bill than expected. They now have a discretionary 5% service charge added to all room rates!