For a Valentines treat, I decided to take Mrs Mayochup to dinner at The Shard and on the 32nd floor, high above London, we were at Aqua Shard. The menu is compact therefore it is safe to assume they wish to perfect every item on there.
The Shard have installed security screening (the same as you find when going through security at any airport) and you are required to take off your jackets and bags for it to be screened. If you have booked a table for a certain time, please allow 10 minutes go get through the queue.
The lift to the 32nd floor only takes 15 seconds and after liaising with reception, we were shown to our table. The restaurant favoured low lighting which made things difficult when it came to taking photographs of the food but we did our best.
After studying the menu, we went for Cornish Crab and Rhug Estate venison tartare which was lovely however, the waiter bringing it over could have done with a shower!
The mains we went for Merrifield Farm duck breast and rabbit stew. I really liked the duck breast but the rabbit stew was one of those dishes that looked wonderful but the flavour was lacking. The only issue I have is that we were not full after the mains. For the money you pay you'd expect a bit more.
For dessert, we both went for apple cheesecake but it came deconstructed which I am not a fan of nor did the menu state this. When I order cheesecake, I expect a cheesecake and not arrived in bits. Why do chefs feel the need to do this? Imagine buying a car like that? But it was nice anyway.
The main highlight is the 'washrooms'. You get spectacular views over London whilst going about your business which is much better than staring at a wall.
The price you pay for this experience is not worth it but I guess you only go there for a treat however, I can think of far better places to go which is half the price.
The Shard have installed security screening (the same as you find when going through security at any airport) and you are required to take off your jackets and bags for it to be screened. If you have booked a table for a certain time, please allow 10 minutes go get through the queue.
The lift to the 32nd floor only takes 15 seconds and after liaising with reception, we were shown to our table. The restaurant favoured low lighting which made things difficult when it came to taking photographs of the food but we did our best.
After studying the menu, we went for Cornish Crab and Rhug Estate venison tartare which was lovely however, the waiter bringing it over could have done with a shower!
The mains we went for Merrifield Farm duck breast and rabbit stew. I really liked the duck breast but the rabbit stew was one of those dishes that looked wonderful but the flavour was lacking. The only issue I have is that we were not full after the mains. For the money you pay you'd expect a bit more.
For dessert, we both went for apple cheesecake but it came deconstructed which I am not a fan of nor did the menu state this. When I order cheesecake, I expect a cheesecake and not arrived in bits. Why do chefs feel the need to do this? Imagine buying a car like that? But it was nice anyway.
The main highlight is the 'washrooms'. You get spectacular views over London whilst going about your business which is much better than staring at a wall.
The price you pay for this experience is not worth it but I guess you only go there for a treat however, I can think of far better places to go which is half the price.
Score: 7/10
