A Rather Royal Affair - Lunching at The Goring

It's not every day your little sister pulls the ultimate trump card by getting an invite to Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE. So it seemed appropriate that my return to blogging (and, with it, a surrender to sibling rivalry) should at least mark an adequately special occasion, not least when it's hosted in the only hotel of Royal Warrant in the UK, a post-Palace luncheon at London's prestigious Goring.

An MBE. Let's face it, it needed to be followed by something of Royal importance. A club sandwich in the Slug and Lettuce was just not going to cut this one. And, if the Goring is good enough for pre-nuptial breakfast for Kate Middleton, then I expect it to be more than respectable for the newly anointed MBE and her hoi poloi.

The Goring did not disappoint. In fact, it pleasantly surprised. By surprised I mean accommodating, amiable, relaxed, personal. Don't get me wrong, I didn't expect to have a bad experience, I just expected the afternoon to be one to mind your p's and q's, extend your pinkie, most definitely not slurp your soup. Service was as impeccable as you would imagine from a locale of royal appointment, but never imposing.

Friendliness exuded at every point. The steady flow of fascinators and long tail coats passing through reception suggested the Goring was indeed a popular choice, post-Palce. Each of us was met by a super efficient concierge who exchanged jackets for a rather flamboyant woven key tassel with our cloakroom number. I liked this decadence.

Escorted to the bar, we had an hour before lunch, and were settled fireside in opulent yellow and grey toned brocade sofas, accessorised in leopard. The bar had a gentlemans club feel to it - pinstripe suits with bright socks, gingerly swirling brandy. But it was softened with politeness and smiles. Hors d'oeuvres were served with drinks. Homemade sugar-dusted garibaldis for the parents' tea and savoury snacks for the wine drinkers with queen olives as plump as the luxurious velvet upholstery I had now nestled into.

Soon our server accompanied us to the restaurant, a beautiful breath of fresh air and bright light, very English in style and the perfect setting for informal, but special lunch. Admittedly service was rather slow, but then again, who is in a hurry, when you are dining under the sparkle of Swarovski chandeliers?

Lunch was divine. It needs little more to describe it than that, if I'm honest - beautifully presented, I indulged in smoked salmon and lobster omelette to start, followed by grilled sardines and a good old bread and butter pudding to top up the calorie count. Some would say that was suffice, but nobody around the table could ignore the pure chocolate heaven of the petit-fours with coffee.

An wonderful treat, an amazing day. Definitely fit for a princess, most definitely a blogging sibling MBE.

'Til next time, Pandora.

The Goring, Beeston Place, London SW1W 0JW, www.thegoring.com
Pictures: Pandora Skies, The Goring Hotel