An Insta-worthy dining experience with unrivalled views over the London skyline.
"It's an Instagram place", my dining companion mutters as we arrive on level 35 of London's architectural wonder, The Shard. TĪNG inside Shangri-La London offers a sophisticated day-to-night dining experience with some seriously impressive views.
London's vertical city is an icon of the capital, jutting 310 meters skywards while claiming the title of Western Europe's tallest building. So far, so impressive and at first glance, TĪNG ticks all the boxes for a memorable meal. Unique location. Check. Stunning views. Check. A modern British menu with subtle Asian influences. Check.
Yet the whimsical decor encompassing everything from floral walls and Insta-worthy windowpanes to skyscapes filled with puffy white clouds and colourful hot air balloons feels a little forced. If there was ever a restaurant "doing it for the gram," then it is TĪNG. We're marched through the otherwise nondescript space and find ourselves with a hard-to-procure window table offering a hit list of London landmarks, where Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, The Walkie-Talkie and the River Thames stretch out as far as the eye can see. Did we take a snap? Of course, we did.
As trains shuttle back and forth with typically British efficiency into London Bridge Station hundreds of meters below, the same cannot be said for the service. Granted, TĪNG is exceptionally busy on the evening we dine. However, we're often neglected, receiving intermittent service and often empty glasses.
TĪNG draws inspiration from the Chinese word for 'living room' and serves several menus throughout the day, including an over the rainbow themed afternoon tea (£71 per person) and the appropriately named Whimsical Experience Menu (£98 per person). We opt for the latter, which spans five modern courses anchored around seasonal ingredients from local suppliers such as Natoora, Ren's Pantry, Reach Seafood and Bermondsey Bees Honey.
We begin with a British organic asparagus salad with Szechwan pepper hollandaise, toasted rye and slow-cooked egg. The Asian influence from the hollandaise helps to accentuate the delicate nature of the velvety egg, while the al dente asparagus provides a satisfying crunch. It's an impressive start.
While we admire the design and flaky pastry of the English pea wonton tart stuffed with crème fraîche, the dish was underwhelming despite being topped with black truffle and dainty garden flowers. An unsurprising case of style over substance in a restaurant designed for social media gratification.
The fresh steamed halibut with blue mussels got the meal back on track, thanks to an injection of Asian flavours from the aromatic lemongrass, ginger and coconut broth that redefines the idea of licking the plate clean. Followed by Dry Aged Beef Fillet, it's a double whammy of masterful main courses. The beef is served on a bed of a rich peppercorn sauce amidst seasonal greens and accompanied by a fluffy potato and nori terrine.
As the sun sets behind the city, we're served a dessert that encapsulates TĪNG's playful aesthetic. Butterflies incorporates almond, apricot and passion fruit inside a gelatinous eclair adorned with (you guessed it) chocolate butterflies. We'd have happily eaten two but could have done without the acquired taste of the Rooibos ice cream.
With its sleek lines and modern furnishings that complement the striking architecture of The Shard, TĪNG offers another memorable dining destination for Shangri-La Hotels. Whether dining at Niyyali inside Shangri-La Jeddah, Shang Palace at Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul or Hoi An at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, each transports guests to a world of culinary delights. However, in London, you have the bonus of seeing the city transform into a glittering tapestry of lights.
For an Insta-worthy setting, sky-high views and perfectly plated produce, give TĪNG a whirl.
GO: Visit www.ting-shangri-la.com for reservations and more information.