Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park opens New Open Air Restaurant

The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London has opened a new open-air restaurant, The Park Terrace.

Discreetly sheltered by Mandarin Oriental’s north façade, The Park Terrace overlooks the southern meadows of Hyde Park below the Serpentine Lake. Soft linens and elegant teak furniture sit upon quarried Portland stonework against an enchanting floral backdrop to create the informal elegance of an English country garden.

Making the most of its idyllic location during the summer months, The Park Terrace is open all day until 30 September for early morning breakfasts, sunny lunches, traditional afternoon teas and balmy evening dinners. Head Chef Chris Tombling’s accomplished seasonal menu features fresh, summery dishes such as “Asparagus, Pea and Bean Salad, Crumbled Feta, Fresh Mint, Rocket Leaves with Lemon dressing” and “Roast English Lamb, Baby Summer Vegetables, Spinach and Natural Jus”.

In keeping with the hotel’s 5 star surroundings and its reputation for intuitive service, staff at The Park Terrace will provide the ultimate in al fresco service. On hot summer days, a Terrace Butler will be on hand with a selection of sun screen creams, cooling iced towels, water sprays, and a sunglasses cleaning service. Guests are also able to borrow designer sunglasses – including children’s sizes, books from the hotel’s Vintage Classics library, hand-held Mandarin fans, soft pashmina shawls, and a selection of magazines and newspapers.

Just a few steps away from the sophisticated boutiques of Sloane Street and Knightsbridge, diners will nevertheless feel a world away as they take in the wide open expanse of peaceful parkland. Looking out across South Carriage Drive, diners will be able to enjoy the quintessentially English spectacle of the Household Cavalry riding past from Knightsbridge Barracks to nearby Buckingham Palace every morning, and soak up the daily Hyde Park scene of people riding, walking their dogs, jogging, roller-skating, and cycling.

Working closely with The Royal Parks’ own landscape gardeners to ensure the design was in keeping with its surroundings an expanse of flower and plants mirror those found in Hyde Park. Seasonal plants include the pastel shades of Cosmos, traditional pompom Dahlias and the elegant cottage garden favourite, Verbena Bonariensis. A colourful mixture of plants such as the scented purple sage, ornamental bronze grasses and the pink spire-like flowers of the Veronicas mark either end of the terrace. Flower beds are given structure using shrubs such as the Forest Pansy with its purple leaves, sweet-scented Drimys and sun loving Oleanders.

The hotel's Director of Food & Beverage, Sarah Coy, said, “We are privileged to be able to offer unspoilt parkland views in a uniquely peaceful environment in the centre of London. The Park Terrace will provide guests a chic and elegant setting from which to relax and enjoy the summer, with the benefit of our award-winning cuisine and the legendary Mandarin Oriental service.”

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