Cucina Asellina, Melia Hotel, 336-7 The Strand , London WC2R 1HA
She said: After attending a fantastic
talk on Humiliation at Conway Hall we were hungry and needed to find somewhere
close. I remembered this Italian in the new Melia hotel sitting at the top of
The Strand. I was a little hesitant on entering to find not a single diner
inside – and from the outside it looked closed probably due to the darkened
windows and lack of activity inside but we decided to stay. I’m so glad we did.
Asellina is a large contemporary dining space to suit any occasion. I ordered a
prawn flatbread pizza which was heavenly and good value at £12. I tried some of
his lasagne which was equally good. The service seemed a little haphazard or
inexperienced (we were served by four different waiters – that last one
proactively asking if we wanted to bill rather than the option to see a dessert
menu so we accepted his forthright offer) but it is especially a great pick for
lunch or a pre-theatre meal that sets itself apart from the tourist offers
inside Covent Garden. As a fortunate bonus, on leaving Asellina I remembered
the Melia has a rooftop bar ‘Radio’ and asked the maitre d’ if we could pop up;
not only was she super courteous in leading us there, she brokered two free
cocktail vouchers from the Concierge so we immediately fell in love with her.
Radio has the genuine ‘wow’ factor – the lifts open into a glassed restaurant
leading to a wide open terrace with magnificent views of the best of London ’s skyline.
We took a seat at a perfectly positioned table and I enjoyed a heavenly Martini
as we spent an afternoon thumbing through the Sunday Times. Speakers poured out
a slightly strange mix of tunes from perfect Sunday soul and ‘lounge’ music to
over hyper dance and 80’s nostalgia. However, the experience was made even more
perfect as the sun decided to shine down despite reported rain. This was a
wonderful, special afternoon and we will definitely be back – both to the
Italian but also to try to rooftop restaurant and enjoy more drinks on one of
the best rooftops in London . But don’t tell anyone as I don’t want it to become over-run.
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