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This is Essex --
New York Grill Bar Radisson Blu Hotel, Waltham Close, London Stansted Airport, CM24 1PP Tel: 01279 661012
HANDS up if you ever think to pop to Stansted Airport for a night out?
It turns out, there's a wonderful evening to be had on site – and you don't need to pack a bag or take your passport.
My new husband and I decided to treat ourselves to a special meal to celebrate the first few weeks of married life. I'd kept a little secret tucked away for a surprise treat for him and now seemed like the perfect time to reveal it.
You see, at the Radisson Blu Hotel within the airport complex is something you will not find elsewhere – Europe's first wine tower with acrobatic wine "angels" doing regular displays!
I decided to save this unique entertainment for after our meal, so our first stop was the New York Grill Bar (NYGB) tucked just inside the hotel doors.
The restaurant promises trendy American food straight from the grill with a "choice of prime meat cuts, chargrilled to satisfying succulence and served with heaps of chips and simple, healthy salads". Now there's the way to a man's heart.
Our trip was on a Monday night, but it was a good job we'd booked as we heard a waiter tell other drop-ins they were fully booked until 9pm. Not all the tables were yet full when we arrived to eat at 6.30pm, but a steady flow of lone business people/travellers, groups of colleagues and other couples meant there was soon a quiet, yet busy atmosphere in the small eatery.
A glance around allowed us to take in the classic New York feel, with red leather chairs and an open kitchen giving an all-American loft ambience to the place.
Being this is a steak restaurant with a recently relaunched menu, we thought it an ideal opportunity to sample different cuts of the Casterbridge grain fed English beef.
But, first, my husband ordered a starter of duck liver and thyme pate with homemade chutney (£7.25), while I opted for the potted shredded pork, crisp bread and apple chutney (£7.95). We were delighted to see a wide selection of homemade bread rolls and muffins offered while we awaited our first course. I can't report the words which slipped out of Mark's mouth as he sampled the pate – but, suffice to say, it's the best he's ever tasted. It melted in his mouth and was delicious with the chunks of toasted bread and onion chutney. Mine, although displayed in the same arty fashion, was quite different. With a texture which resembled tuna, the pork was like a thick paste, but tasted divine.
Onto the mains and while I decided to try the 8oz New York Strip sirloin (£23.95) with a jacket potato with sour cream on the side (£2.95), my dining partner went for the 8oz fillet (£34.95) and a side of onion rings and skinny fries (£2.95 each).
Once again, I had a happy husband who declared this would in fact be his last supper, the meat was that perfect. Having tried both cuts, I was pleased with my choice and devoured the whole 8oz, complimented perfectly with the creamy jacket and béarnaise sauce.
Both thoroughly enjoying this meal, we thought we should at least sample the desserts, even though we were rapidly filling up. Having recently chosen a New York cheesecake for our wedding meal, we both finished this sitting in the same way. Arriving with a display of fruit which had the most fresh aroma, it's safe to say we enjoyed our final course of baked New York cheesecake with vanilla ice cream (£7.25).
Just about able to move, we took our latte and hot chocolate through to the hotel's main bar area where I finally revealed to Mark the fabulous entertainment of the wine angels.
Married life is proving to be pretty tasty so far!
Kelly Clark Reported by This is 35 minutes ago.
Clik here to view.
This is Essex --New York Grill Bar Radisson Blu Hotel, Waltham Close, London Stansted Airport, CM24 1PP Tel: 01279 661012
HANDS up if you ever think to pop to Stansted Airport for a night out?
It turns out, there's a wonderful evening to be had on site – and you don't need to pack a bag or take your passport.
My new husband and I decided to treat ourselves to a special meal to celebrate the first few weeks of married life. I'd kept a little secret tucked away for a surprise treat for him and now seemed like the perfect time to reveal it.
You see, at the Radisson Blu Hotel within the airport complex is something you will not find elsewhere – Europe's first wine tower with acrobatic wine "angels" doing regular displays!
I decided to save this unique entertainment for after our meal, so our first stop was the New York Grill Bar (NYGB) tucked just inside the hotel doors.
The restaurant promises trendy American food straight from the grill with a "choice of prime meat cuts, chargrilled to satisfying succulence and served with heaps of chips and simple, healthy salads". Now there's the way to a man's heart.
Our trip was on a Monday night, but it was a good job we'd booked as we heard a waiter tell other drop-ins they were fully booked until 9pm. Not all the tables were yet full when we arrived to eat at 6.30pm, but a steady flow of lone business people/travellers, groups of colleagues and other couples meant there was soon a quiet, yet busy atmosphere in the small eatery.
A glance around allowed us to take in the classic New York feel, with red leather chairs and an open kitchen giving an all-American loft ambience to the place.
Being this is a steak restaurant with a recently relaunched menu, we thought it an ideal opportunity to sample different cuts of the Casterbridge grain fed English beef.
But, first, my husband ordered a starter of duck liver and thyme pate with homemade chutney (£7.25), while I opted for the potted shredded pork, crisp bread and apple chutney (£7.95). We were delighted to see a wide selection of homemade bread rolls and muffins offered while we awaited our first course. I can't report the words which slipped out of Mark's mouth as he sampled the pate – but, suffice to say, it's the best he's ever tasted. It melted in his mouth and was delicious with the chunks of toasted bread and onion chutney. Mine, although displayed in the same arty fashion, was quite different. With a texture which resembled tuna, the pork was like a thick paste, but tasted divine.
Onto the mains and while I decided to try the 8oz New York Strip sirloin (£23.95) with a jacket potato with sour cream on the side (£2.95), my dining partner went for the 8oz fillet (£34.95) and a side of onion rings and skinny fries (£2.95 each).
Once again, I had a happy husband who declared this would in fact be his last supper, the meat was that perfect. Having tried both cuts, I was pleased with my choice and devoured the whole 8oz, complimented perfectly with the creamy jacket and béarnaise sauce.
Both thoroughly enjoying this meal, we thought we should at least sample the desserts, even though we were rapidly filling up. Having recently chosen a New York cheesecake for our wedding meal, we both finished this sitting in the same way. Arriving with a display of fruit which had the most fresh aroma, it's safe to say we enjoyed our final course of baked New York cheesecake with vanilla ice cream (£7.25).
Just about able to move, we took our latte and hot chocolate through to the hotel's main bar area where I finally revealed to Mark the fabulous entertainment of the wine angels.
Married life is proving to be pretty tasty so far!
Kelly Clark Reported by This is 35 minutes ago.