Dinner in the Sky

There are some moments in life that make your heart beat fast, your skin tingle and your brain all fuzzy from excitement. On Thursday I found myself running- OK walking very fast; I was in heels- back to my flat to grab my camera, beaming like an idiot all the way.

Only half an hour before I’d gotten one of the most exciting messages I’ve had this year.

“Laura, are you free tonight? I’ve got a spare ticket to London in the Sky. Do you want it?”

Oh my gosh. Even if I wasn’t free, I would have dropped everything. So with a quick ‘Sorry guys I’ve got to go’ to work I dashed off beaming like a kid at Christmas.

Why? Might you ask.  Well London in the Sky, is the most exciting this I’ve possibly done in London. Scratch that, it is.

It an effectively a restaurant in the sky. 22 seats surround a small stove, where some of London’s best Michelin star chefs cook dinner- 100ft up in the air, suspended from a crane above canary wharf. 

That’s right, suspended by a wire, the table spins and moves with the wind, and most defiantly things can drop.

Excited does not cover it. 

Arriving early for a pre ‘flight’ drink of Taittinger, we were given a safety talk and shown the rules of the night. No loose shoes... I’m so glad I changed my work courts into strappy shoes. Can’t have my babies plunging to their death. 

As darkness fell, the previous dinners descended, and soon it was out turn. All aboard. 

The platform is surrounded by 22 race car style seats, with heavy duty seat belts to make sure no one takes an untimely tumble. All strapped, prepare for lift off.

London in the sky is by no means just a cheap tacky stunt, oh no. This is dinning with class. Michelin Star restaurants fought to get places with a few select making the cut. Tonight I was lucky enough to be cooked for by Tom Fleming himself from Michelin Star Angler, the seafood restaurant in Moorgate.

You could be quite distracted by Tom and his cooking... until you look down.

Woah. The seats are completely suspended 100ft above the ground. With your whole body exposed to the elements, this is certainly not for the vertigo inclined. It may not look that high up from the pictures, but in real life, it sure does feel it.

Legs and feet are just left dangling above the ground. I'm sure glad I changed my shoes now.

Once you have gotten used to the unique environment, let me tell you, the view is pretty damn good. No other restaurant will veer be able to rival the feeling of actually being surrounded by the night.

It feels like you have left this world, and taken a break far away, just watching everyone else go by their lives. It really is quite surreal. I can't explain, but its so peaceful and quiet up their, it really does feel like an oasis away from the madness that is City life. For one short moment, you can leave it all behind.

Now that I'd pay good money for.

Dangling your glass of New Zealand's most awarded wine; Villa Maria, over the vast nothing. I said it was pretty surreal. 

Turning back around, it was time for the first course. 

Shellfish ravioli with tomato, chive butter and fennel and ginger slaw.

My gosh, it was outstanding. No wonder they have a Michelin Star. It was unbelievably flavoursome and just cooked to perfection. Possibly one of the best dishes I've had. Yes, that good. 

Next up was, Orkney Scallop ceviche, with pink grapefruit and pickled cucumber. Again, these scallops were out of this world. I've had scallops before and was always a bit meh about them, but these have changed my opinion. 

Watching the chefs work this close was simply amazing. No where else would you get this exposure and intimacy. 

For mains there was Roast turbot, ragout of squid and sea purslane. Rague of squid- its a game changer. More please?

Now all was going fine, the height wasn't bothering me at all... until we discovered that the seats reclined. Oh. My. Gosh. 

One of the scariest moments- I may have freaked out a little...