QYPE*

I have gazed up at and walked underneath this beautiful building many a time but until now only heard tell of special occasion dining and drinking up at the top.

I wasn’t holding my breath for a great night. For starters, this was a hen night and (in my limited experience) I usually spend the most part of those trying not to cringe and attempting to look like I’m having fun. In addition, I prefer the low key to the high flying - but up I went in the little lift and into the fray.

The bar was incredibly busy - I didn’t appreciate the warbling live singer and I was indignant that to get to the bar I had to elbow hoardes of overdressed photograph taking punters out of the way. When I got my mojito, it wasn’t out of this world and the service was only bearable.

In the brasserie for food, we were squidged into a sideways arranged table - considering this place was picked for its view, all I could see was b2b’s mother-in-law to be and a whole case of Harvey Nicks merchandise. When my thai prawn soup came, all was almost forgotten. It was thick, creamy and delicately flavoured, not overpowered by heat. Followed up by a huge plate of delicious guinea fowl and a lemongrass and coconut creme brulee (which tasted offputtingly like my starter) I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity of the food and smiling service we received.

The bill was exorbitant though and I just didn’t think OXO was worth the dollar.