Intercontinental on Park Lane, London. A good effort for a corporate bash

27th June 2013
I was invited to an annual dinner for a trade organisation at the Intercontinental, having been a speaker at their meeting. Their lunch had been a bit of a CHOF disaster, again underpinning the problems of serving hot buffet food, and the fact that apart from me, no one seems to care
Hotel ballroom dinners can be a hit or miss affair. Before our food was served, a member of staff came over and asked if there were any particular dietary requirements. He was probably expecting comments about vegetarianism and peanut allergy, and my comment indicating that I wanted hot food to be served hot evoked the response that they would be trying their best to serve food quickly. In fact, one of the best things about the service was the fact that waiting staff operated in teams to ensure that all seated at a table received their meals simultaneously.This seemed to work well, and I commend their management for at least solving the problem of having to wait until the last person on a table is served.
The meal started with a marjoram marinated plum tomato (?) with a mozzarella fritter and baby gem Caesar.

Had I not been told, I would probably not have guessed. Anyway the fritter was about a 7.9 on the CHOF scale.
The main course was 'Rosemary marinated (lot of marinating going on at the Intercontinental) lamb rump on summer pea puree with pink fir potatoes, pearl onions, baby carrots and soft herb jus (good try just for imaginative menu).

This lived up to the description, and the express service method ensured that the plate scored just about an 8 on the CHOF scale. I thought this was a very good effort for a corporate dinner, and most people engaged well with the food.

Desert was a mango and lime mousse with a coriander shoot (not marinade this time) jelly, raspberry and chilli ice cream and cashew nut biscotti.

A lot of words for not a lot on the plate. Nice enough, but the jelly was a bit viscid.

All in all a good effort from the hotel for a meal with imagination, decent ingredients, adequately cooked and quickly served. I will remember them if I need a similar venue.