Touching down for cocktails at NY-LON

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NY-LON is a novel concept – a first-class airport lounge located not within any terminal, but instead in the O2 centre in London. We were greeted at the entrance by a stewardess who took our names as she would otherwise our tickets.

It’s quite the immersive experience; once upstairs, we were confronted with the choice of two lounge areas, one for large groups and parties, and another for more casual visitors. NY-LON  is glistening and pristine, with areas surrounded by beaded curtains – akin to chandeliers – and corners with plush red sofas and New York-style cushions. A more covert choice, perhaps, and this is what appealed to us.

We started with cocktails. The menu is split is US-style offers, English drinks and classics. I chose a mojito-style creation with all of the usual components, plus a touch of chocolate liqueur and cinnamon, which really changed it into something unique. For my companion, a classic British bramble with a sharp citrus zing and the tart finish of forest-fresh blackberries.

There are small plates and sharing platters on the menu. The small plates are split into two, geographically informed columns. We had Brooklyn crab salad with peppers, sticky chicken wings with blue cheese, and scrapple – a sort of hash topped with crispy pancetta. True to American tradition, these supposedly small plates were plentiful.

Still, we couldn’t leave without trying the land platter, which included more-than-generous portions of both salt beef and pastrami. They were both delicious, though the salt beef could have been cut a little thicker to be closer to the variety found in Manhattan delis. It came with sauerkraut and a loaf-sized stack of rye bread.

To finish, we combined classic Manhattans with the thick, fudge-topped brownie which was just as decadent as anything you’d find in an American diner. The England-inspired dessert, a sort of rhubarb trifle with a crumble topping, let the side down a little – the custard wasn’t quite set, but the topping was wonderfully nostalgic and the fruit fresh.

NY-LON is certainly a departure from the chains that populate the O2 centre, and you don’t need your passport to gain entry.

by Becky Zanker

NY-LON Lounge Bar, The O2, Greenwich, London, SE10 0DX
Monday – Sunday: Midday – Midnight

Tel: +44 (0)20 8463 2367
Email: hello@ny-lon.london

About The Author

Glass Online dining and culture writer

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