Guests at the Peninsula are spoilt for choice with no fewer than 10 restaurants and bars to choose from at the hotel. The blue and cream-coloured French restaurant, 'Gaddi's', is part of the history of the hotel, given that it has been there for over 50 years, since 1953, and opens for both lunch and dinner. As you might expect, silver (in the way of tableware) and crystal (the enormous chandeliers) feature heavily in the decor here, setting an appropriate scene for the pianist and singer who perform here every evening. A selection of French dishes including pan-cooked foie gras, Bresse squab pigeon and a variety of vegetarian dishes are prepared under the watchful eye of an international chef, who happens to be British. The oldest bottle on the very extensive wine list dates back to 1928, as you might expect, but the sommelier is also happy to suggest a "Château Rauzan-Grassies", 2nd Cru Classe, a "Château Lafite-Rothschild", 1st Cru Classe, or even the Château Petrus, an exceptional vintage and the most expensive bottle of the lot!
The Swiss restaurant, 'Chesa', is one of only two in the city and is designed like the inside of a chalet, long but with no windows looking outside. It certainly offers rustic surroundings, as well as a very cosy ambience, complete with red carpet, wooden ceiling and white cob walls.
The hotel's main restaurant, 'The Verandah', serves its starters and desserts on buffet stations, whilst the main course is chosen 'à la carte'. The long dining room offers beautiful views across to the Planetarium, and you feel like you're in some sort of indoor garden.
The split-level Chinese restaurant, 'Spring Moon', features dark, all-wood, 20's-style decor including small round wooden tables, columns, etc. and serves authentic Cantonese cuisine. The real focus here, though, is the tea counter, where you sample your choice of the 25 different teas on offer, served by an actual tea master.
'Isama', the Japanese restaurant, is rather less exciting due to its simple and slightly outdated decor, but the cuisine served offers a delicious insight into traditional Japanese cooking.
Up on the 28th floor, and open from 7:00pm onwards, you'll be amazed by the large and very trendy space created by Starck and opened in 1994. The backs of the chairs arranged around the large illuminated frosted glass table are decorated with black and white photographs of some of the hotel's employees, such as Johnny, who has been a barman at the Peninsula for 51 years! One spiral staircase leads to the stylish bar, whilst another, which is also illuminated, leads to a small table, the perfect romantic corner. The city stretches out behind the large picture windows on either side of the room, and tucked away under one of the staircases you'll find the nightclub, the 'Crazy Box', complete with leather walls. Under the other staircase is a small sort of wine cellar furnished with three small round tables. There is also, of course 'The Bar', the unmissable 'The Lobby', and also the 'Salon de Ning'.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
