I went to try the new summer menu at CitySuites hotel's Embankment Kitchen and one thing was unreal

At first glance, the exterior of the restaurant is impressive, with a cosy and private seating area outside which also sits your furry friends. The atmosphere inside was welcoming and hospitable, there was no denying this was a hotel restaurant.

The room was brightly lit with the natural light, along with the decor and flora giving the room a natural vibe. The service was outstanding, staff were attentive and friendly, while being informative about drinks and the menu items.

The summer menu had an abundance of choices, with dishes from all types of cultures including: Spanish, Italian, Persian, Lebanese, Greek, Vietnamese, British, classic French, Indian, and Asian-inspired. Each dish was reasonably priced and affordable.    

Since we arrived during Happy Hour, it would have been rude not to try one of the deals. There were two beers for £10 or two traditional cocktails for £16, including their seasonal flavoured mojito cocktails of original, strawberry, blueberry or raspberry flavours. The classic mojito was refreshing and flavourful, but the raspberry flavour tasted unreal and the perfect balance of fruity and zesty. 

For starters, the seasonal favourite pork belly, £9.50, was tender and bursting with aromatic flavour, served with a small salad to add some texture to the dish. For a starter dish, they weren’t shy on the portion size which was nice to see. 

However, the garlic and spinach falafel served with tabbouleh and garlic mayo, £7.50, wasn’t to our liking. The tabbouleh had a nice flavour with the addition of the tahini, but that compromised the texture which resembled mush, while the falafel was so overcooked it crumbled when cut into – it was no wonder the dish came with a large pot of garlic mayo to dip the dry falafel into.  

The star of the show was inevitably the main course. The chef’s recommendation of the Persian lamb shank, £27, blew me away, with the meat so tender and juicy it fell off the bone with no effort. The tangy Muhammara dip combined with the aromatic flavours of the lamb and crispy potatoes was incredible – it was the best dish of the night. 

The Lebanese stuffed aubergine, £19, served with flatbread was a dish bursting with smoky and fiery flavours. The flatbread was homemade and the harissa yoghurt provided a mellow but smokey profile. Unfortunately, the potato hara created an unwanted texture as it was so burnt it was flaking and black.  

The desserts were pleasant, despite the fact the restaurant ran out of their panna cotta. The cheesecake was creamy and served with a tangy compote, and the sticky toffee pudding was flavourful although the cake was a bit too stodgy. Nonetheless, both were enjoyable desserts.

Overall, the Embankment Kitchen was a nice dining experience, with a light atmosphere and attentive staff. The food was mostly enjoyable and you could tell each dish was 100% homemade.