Having opened its sleek doors just two years ago, The Gantry has propelled itself with a sparkling repertoire into Stratford’s stratosphere. Marking the occasion of its second birthday with a glittering Gatsby-style party, I joined The Gantry in celebration: ready to raise a glass to two character forming years of this stylish, modern marvel.
Sitting mere steps away from Stratford International station, the immediate appeal of The Gantry is its ease of access. A Kent native, I am shocked at how quickly I arrive in the shadow of the steely hotel that towers above me, having only left my office around 45 minutes beforehand. I gaze up at this 17 storey architectural giant in the middle of the futuristic, shiny metropolis that Stratford has become – a redeveloped area still vibrant in its youth.
The Gantry’s ground floor reflects the vibrancy of the area and the hotel as a whole. This place is bustling. Alive with guests, it spans a vast area that includes Hermanos Colombian Coffee Roasters as well as a lounge full of guests reading newspapers, co-working, chatting and checking in. It is clear to me that as well as a hotel for those from afar, The Gantry is very much a thriving social hub for the neighbourhood of this area too. Light streams in through the tall windows stretching from glossy dark wood flooring to the high ceilings – its overall ‘vibe’ coming together as ‘contemporary art gallery’ meets industrial chic.
A seamless check-in from the team behind the desk sees me whizzing up to my room in one of the elevators. I am greeted with a much larger space than expected: filling it is a king size bed topped with a luxurious mattress, a red velvet chaise lounge, a Nespresso machine and even a tablet for browsing and booking hotel services. When it comes to design, the room continues with the industrial look meets arty-mid-century. Playful fabrics and textures bring the room to life while dark accents, warm tones and soft edges simultaneously make it a peaceful haven. I am told there is even sound insulation, which along with the black-out curtains promises a snug and dreamy night’s sleep.
With time ticking by and the party’s welcome glass of champagne getting ever closer, I quickly learn that the pièce de résistance of the room is the lavish bathroom. For anyone that relishes getting ready, this is the space of dreams. A huge, brightly-lit mirror adorns the entirety of the space above the sink alongside a smaller illuminated, magnifying mirror which can be angled for intense viewing. The sink itself is a huge grey marble, tray-shaped basin which parallels the giant walk-in, rainfall shower that gleams opposite. It is an utter treat to get ready in this bathroom and I leave for the party feeling fresh, knowing I have not missed a single detail in my appearance thanks to the lighting and those mirrors.
When it comes to drinking and dining, The Gantry has covered all bases (and levels). From the ground level café, to the first floor restaurants and bars, through to room service – there are plenty of gastronomic options to choose from. This includes STK on the 18th floor, complete with an adjoining rooftop bar and floor-to-ceiling-windows framing panoramic views of city tableaus: the ultimate spot for sipping cocktails in the sky.
Tonight however, I am venturing to the versatile Union Social on the first floor. Although extra glamorous for the night’s celebrations, it is here that The Gantry begins to reach impressive new heights. Hotel guests or casual visitors can enjoy a wide array of food and drinks from early morning to late at night. The comfortable lounge setting and terrace offer ample space to either meet up with a group of friends or to find a quiet corner to get some work done. The first floor is also home to Coupe. A stylish bar serving a select range of locally-sourced sparkling wines, refreshing sparkling teas, Kombucha, seltzers, spritzers and more.
This evening, one of the terraces has been decked out with two sprawling dining tables, topped with a stunning array of glittering candelabras, plumes of white feathers and pearls. Dry ice floods the terrace, giving the impression of dining in the clouds, setting the scene for a truly magical evening. The set menu is an exquisite reflection of the dishes served at Union Social. We start with a creamy amuse bouche of pumpkin cappuccino with Highlands oatmeal sourdough and sprinkled with Langhe hazelnut dust. This is followed by an artistically presented starter of octopus mosaic carpaccio, calamansi gel, red vein sorrel, black garlic and fenugreek caviar. Beautifully fresh and full of flavour despite being a delicate and light dish, this sets the tone for an elegant meal to match our surroundings. Next up is the main: pheasant ballotine with chestnut and sage, braised Swiss chard and saffron Yukon Gold cocotte. This is a gorgeously rich, winter dish encapsulating the warm, hearty, seasonal flavours so craved in winter, while simultaneously being decadent in style and size. The pheasant is complemented by a bed of confit leek, Jerusalem artichoke puree and stone roasted salsify, sitting prettily in a pool of pomegranate wine, and topped with demi-glace, sun-dried mulberries. This array of enriching flavours, elevates the dish all the more. The fruitiness of the berries bringing a sweet and sharp edge to counteract the distinctive game-flavour of the pheasant.
The meal ends with a dessert of pistachio crème brûlée with vanilla touille. It is a final nod to those rich and intense flavours of winter, the pistachio working beautifully with the dense creaminess of the crème brûlée, the hot sugary top giving way to this with a satisfying crunch. I finish with a final cocktail: perhaps the most decadent spicy margarita I have ever sampled. I enjoy this under an incredible fireworks display that is set off from the very top of the hotel. They sparkle and scintillate around the building, making a magnificent finale reflecting the resplendence and sophisticated style of The Gantry itself.
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