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We Tried The Peninsula London's Brooklands Bar & Canton Blue Restaurant | Review
- Sarah Keates
- 3 minutes ago
- 4 min read
LONDON
There are luxury hotels, and then there is The Peninsula. Having spent many years living in Hong Kong, The Peninsula has always held a special place in my heart. So, when my daughter and I visited The Peninsula London for an evening of drinks and dinner, we couldn't have been more excited.
Cocktails Above the City at Brooklands Bar
We began our evening at Brooklands Bar on the eighth floor. Even getting there feels special, thanks to the hotel's whimsical hot air balloon-inspired lift. Of course, you're really here for the view.
The terrace offers panoramic views across London, stretching from Hyde Park towards The Shard. This feels like one of those places reserved for life's bigger moments — proposals, milestone celebrations, or signing an enormous business deal. The atmosphere is exclusive without ever feeling intimidating.
One thing I noticed immediately was the service. The staff moves with the kind of effortless precision that immediately reminded me of Hong Kong luxury hospitality. Seamless, polished and quietly attentive.
As two wellness girlies, we asked about the alcohol-free options. We were genuinely delighted to discover six carefully curated mocktails, alongside alcohol-free Champagne, red and white wine. We started with Zero Degree by Clauset, an alcohol-free sparkling wine. Served ice cold in elegant crystal stemware, it was pale, crisp and beautifully balanced – not too sweet, not overly fruity and remarkably close to the real thing. Highly recommended.
Next came The Paddock, Brooklands' take on an Old Fashioned. This was one of the most thoughtfully created alcohol-free drinks I've had. Warm, spicy and wonderfully aromatic, it felt like the sort of drink Sherlock Holmes might sip while solving a particularly complicated case – or something you'd enjoy beside a roaring fire after dinner. Served in heavy crystal glassware with beautifully embossed ice, it delivered everything you want from a sophisticated cocktail without the alcohol.
Naturally, Brooklands also offers an exceptional wine list, classic cocktails and premium spirits should that be more your style. I'd recommend Brooklands in a heartbeat for date night or whenever you need to bring the wow factor. If you're a planner like me, book a pre-theatre drink, wrap yourself in one of the terrace blankets, order The Paddock and simply soak up the view. The Brooklands team have gone above and beyond in both mixology and hospitality. I've been fortunate enough to visit some wonderful bars around the world, and Brooklands comfortably earns a place in my personal top ten.
Dinner at Canton Blue
After an hour overlooking the city, it was time for dinner at Canton Blue. The restaurant is intimate, elegant and quietly luxurious. We were seated in a semi-private dining space that felt perfect for everything from romantic dinners to discreet business meetings. As someone who spent over a decade living in Hong Kong, I felt instantly at home.
Every detail, from the interiors to the service, feels authentically Hong Kong. We began with a sparkling Darjeeling tea, served in beautifully engraved crystal stemware. Not quite a mocktail and not quite wine, it allowed the delicate flavour of the tea to shine through. Again, this was another thoughtfully designed, grown-up drink that wasn't overly sweet.
Our server, Sunita, knew the menu inside out and guided us through our choices with genuine warmth and confidence. Hungry, we leaned into the Cantonese classics. First came steamed har gow – my ultimate comfort food – alongside delicate mushroom truffle bites. Then came the star of the evening. A whole roast duck was presented before us and expertly carved at the display station.
It's not every day you order an entire crispy duck. The skin was beautifully crisp, almost candied, while the meat remained perfectly pink, succulent and melt-in-the-mouth tender. If you have visitors from Hong Kong, this alone is reason enough to bring them to Canton Blue.
Curious about the restaurant's bestsellers, we asked the team for their recommendation. Alongside the duck, they suggested the Wagyu beef with black bean sauce. If you're only ordering one dish, make it this. Quite simply, it's the best Wagyu I've ever eaten. I expected the black bean sauce to overpower the beef, but instead it enhanced it beautifully. Every flavour felt balanced, allowing the quality of the meat to remain the star. It was authentic Cantonese cooking at its very best.
Images courtesy of Sarah Keates
The team explained that their vision was simple: they wanted guests to feel as though they'd stepped into Hong Kong. Rather than chasing trends or reinventing Cantonese cuisine, they've focused on traditional family favourites done exceptionally well. As two people who miss Hong Kong enormously, we completely understood what they were trying to achieve. And they absolutely succeeded. One unexpected standout deserves a mention. The garlic pak choi was exceptional — beautifully charred, packed with flavour and cooked to perfection.
And finally, a little appreciation for one of the world's most underrated vegetables: lotus root. We skipped dessert, despite several tempting options, packed up our leftovers and wandered through a warm Mayfair evening before heading home.
For anyone who knows and loves Hong Kong, it manages something incredibly difficult: recreating the feeling of being there without becoming a pastiche. The attention to detail, polished service, thoughtful drinks programme and beautifully executed Cantonese food all combine to create something genuinely special. Whether you're celebrating with family, entertaining clients, planning a memorable date night or simply craving an authentic taste of Hong Kong, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. A true Hong Kong gem in the heart of London.
Location: The Peninsula, 1 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HJ, United Kingdom | Instagram: @thepeninsulalondonhotel
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