Mandarin Oriental Ritz

“Best service in the world!”

Service here is the best we’ve had in the world. This is a wonderful hotel near the park. El Jardin de Ritz had some amazing dishes and atmosphere. I’d like to also commend Ricardo who was our waiter at the Palm Court. His attention to detail was impeccable and we will be returning to the Ritz … more

Service here is the best we’ve had in the world. This is a wonderful hotel near the park. El Jardin de Ritz had some amazing dishes and atmosphere. I’d like to also commend Ricardo who was our waiter at the Palm Court. His attention to detail was impeccable and we will be returning to the Ritz very soon!

less

“Unexpected Delight Off the Beaten PathOasis of Calm in a Bustling World”

What a hidden gem! This place may not be the most well-known, but it certainly deserves recognition. The warm and welcomiFrom the moment I arrived, I was enveloped in an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort. The soothing color palette and thoughtful layout created a sense of calm that persisted th… more

What a hidden gem! This place may not be the most well-known, but it certainly deserves recognition. The warm and welcomiFrom the moment I arrived, I was enveloped in an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort. The soothing color palette and thoughtful layout created a sense of calm that persisted throughout my stay. Every interaction with the staff was marked by genuine warmth and attentiveness. The amenities, while not overly luxurious, were perfectly curated to enhance relaxation and well-being atmosphere immediately put me at ease. The staff's genuine friendliness made me feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer. While not the most luxurious, the comfortable accommodations and attention to detail more than made up for it. Sometimes

less

“Eco-Chic Retreat Blends Nature and Luxury”

This place is a perfect blend of modern amenities and natural beauty. The sleek, contemporary design harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding landscape. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside in, creating a sense of connection with nature. The commitment to sustainability is evident in their… more

This place is a perfect blend of modern amenities and natural beauty. The sleek, contemporary design harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding landscape. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside in, creating a sense of connection with nature. The commitment to sustainability is evident in their eco-friendly practices, yet never at the expense of comfort. It's an ideal r

less

“Chef Oliver leads in the Paella Masterclass.”

Here’s a draft - Paella Masterclass with Chef Oliver Menendez As an adventure Bill and Pamela booked us all onto the Paella Masterclass in the stunning gardens of the Ritz Mandarin Oriental. Our class was delayed due to the weather and we were rebooked to 1645 which was actually a better time for… more

Here’s a draft - Paella Masterclass with Chef Oliver Menendez As an adventure Bill and Pamela booked us all onto the Paella Masterclass in the stunning gardens of the Ritz Mandarin Oriental. Our class was delayed due to the weather and we were rebooked to 1645 which was actually a better time for us. On arrival we were taken through the gardens to the outside kitchen and introduced to Chef Oliver Menendez. Oliver introduced himself and the concept of what our two hour Masterclass would be. Oliver settled very quickly and took us on an exceptional culinary journey into the heart of Valencian paella and then onto black rice and lobster paella. Oliver described the ingredients and spent some time explaining the background and work that goes into making the stock and the simple but so tasty sofrito. While sitting at the bar of the kitchen watching and listening to Oliver we were provided with tastings of three different sherrys all from Jerez-Xérès in the south west of Spain. Our first was a Tio Pepe - Palomino Fino Sherry which was quite dry but went down well in the sun. La Guita - Manzanilla was dry, light, fresh and salty. A very popular sherry which I can understand why! Lastly we sampled Antique Palo Cortado by Fernando de Castilla. This was an experience as it was cloudy and carmel in colour with citrus fruit notes. Not one I’d have chosen due to its appearance but actually very nice. Chef Oliver then demonstrated his craft and exceptional skills and cooked two Valencian paellas on the large induction hobs in the garden kitchen. Taking the time to talk us through every step and paying particular attention to the final act of essentially caramelising the bomba rice. Then it was tasting time. Just magnificent. Oliver made it look simple and as he said a great food for socialising and sharing with friends. Next was the black rice with squid and fresh lobster. Oliver again expertly cooked two pans with his final act siphoning some paprika and garlic mayonnaise emulsion into the lobster shell before flambying the dish. Different and salty in comparison to the Valencian paella but delicious. Certainly the best black rice paella I’ve ever tasted. Our red wine we had to accompany our paella was Heredad de Uruena, a Santo Syrah 2016 wine from Castilla y León. Again a new experience and absolutely perfect for paella. One for the notepad to seek out in the future! We finished up this unforgettable masterclass with a delightful dessert of whipped yoghurt, parma violet ice cream, honeycomb popping candy and edible flowers. Not forgetting our exclusive recipe cards and stylish Ritz aprons this was an experience to remember. The two hours passed in what seemed like minutes, it’s offered every Saturday and Sunday and is not to be missed. Thanks to birthday boy Chef Oliver’s humour and knowledge it was a true highlight of our trip. Thanks Chef Oliver Menendez we arrived strangers and left feeling like family, we certainly hope to meet you again even better if you cook for us too!

less