I LOVE London. It’s no great secret that I am London to the core and never more so when I can gaze out on the view of all of the history, architecture and that infamous London skyline.

The problem is that bar/restaurant real estate for such a view is rare and a view of both the Old (Westminster) and the new (The city) is almost impossible to find…. Problem. Solved.

We started at the perfectly placed Rumpus Room on the 12th floor of the Mondrian Hotel.

This place is really trendy and reminds me of the cool New York bar vibe with leather booth couches, amber lighting and an open plan design. (If a NY bar had a view of The Shard, St Paul’s, Westminster). Ps. Their lights in the middle of the room are ridiculously stylish and take the place from relaxed leather cool to highlife luxury.

The cocktails are cracking, including the Rumpus Mojito (Bacardi 8 YO, Bacardi superior, mint, pomegranate, lime and soda) and also the Pineapple Dark N Stormy (Pineapple infused Plantation Rum, lime, ginger juice and ginger ale)… This one is deliciously strong and will knock your cashmere socks off.

This “retro transatlantic style” is carried throughout the entire hotel in a design by Tom Dixon

The restaurant is low lit other than the bar which is adorned with a neon yellow submarine. But of course it is.

It has an upscale feel with a lot of very well picked booth furniture, mirrors and layout… It takes a lot of practice to make casual luxury.

The Food:

Created by NY Chef Seamus Mullen they serve a transatlantic English/American fusion… “What is that?”. Well simply it is what you get when you combine roasted British meats and fair-trade local produce with Tuna Crudo and Razor Clam Flatbread with wood roasted vegetables. With me? 

You may be expecting hearty and rich flavours from an UK/US love child, but many are light, fresh and colourful. (As 2 nations, we are slightly more than just Yorkshire Puddings and Creamed corn…. )

That Ceviche, Crab courgetti, the Kale and cavolo nero salad and Smoked aubergine flatbread are a perfect sharing schmorgus board to start.

Now onto the serious stuff. The Lamb Meatballs with soft sheep’s milk cheese, cucumber, Moroccan spiced vinaigrette… erm… Yes. You can’t go wrong with a meatball in my mind, but the addition of Moroccan spices are a game changer.

We went for the sharing Double cut Heritage pork chop with grilled apple vinaigrette. Who doesn’t like Pork & Apple? It was cooked just long enough to keep it juicy and soft and truly there was a mountain of meat here.

I mean, lucky we didn’t  order another giant sharing plate… Oh wait…

It is no revelation that I love beef, but their particular Dry-aged bone in rib eye comes with a Giant bone with roasted marrow. Frankly if I don’t see a minimum of 2 parts of the animal, I am disappointed.

It is huge, and served Medium Rare. (Anyone who thinks that beef should be cooked well done is not well).

For dessert, just skip reading the menu and order the Pistachio Cherry Tart….

In addition, the restaurant is energetic and fun. It feels like everyone is in the same boat (no pun intended).

They do some great cocktails. Created by Ryan Chetiyawardana to work in line with the menu. Some of their best are the Sea Co Spritz (peach brandy, white wine, pea shoots, soda) and the Spotless Martini (Mr Lyan gin, vermouth, distilled lemon, distilled olive).

Whether you like your view of the River Thames over dinner, or of London from the 12th floor over a french martini… there is always a reason to go again and again.

Mondrian at Sea Containers – 20 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PD