Oh what a luxury- lunch at the Savoy with my lovely wife.

 Oh what luxury- lunch at the Savoy with my lovely wife. 

The day could hardly have been better. My lovely wife and yours truly were being dined and wined at the Savoy Grill, Gordon Ramsey's restaurant. We were surrounded by towering grandeur, eye-popping opulence and truly astonishing service from our waiter for the afternoon. This had been a treat from my wonderful son and his lovely daughter-in-law and was due to take place last November but had been left until yesterday. Both my wife and yours truly are both November babies but here we were almost halfway through January and, boy, this was pretty special.

You can never truly appreciate the magnitude of such magnificence, gracious living, and overwhelming luxury. All of London's five-star hotels are of course renowned for their style, class and their obvious state of impeccable perfection. The Savoy Hotel in the Strand in London's relatively quiet West End streets, was, of course a sight to behold. But we were enormously privileged to be among such architectural grandiosity, such glittering, thick pillars and columns. Oh we shouldn't forget those lovely revolving doors. 

Throughout the ages London's magnificent hotels are the one reason why so many tourists converge from all over the world just to experience their unparalleled beauty. Famously, the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died in the Ritz with a book on her bed and Elaine Stritch, the American actress, lived in the Savoy for years or so you're led to believe. There is something about a London hotel that lends the capital city a world-class status and stature. Hotels are steeped in history and heritage, celebrity and lavish pampering. It almost seemed too good to be true. 

From the moment my wife and yours truly walked into the Savoy we knew we'd stepped into an entirely new world, a world as far removed from the poverty of Britain's council estates as it was possible to be. The reception area is replete with a draught board patterned floor which could quite as easily pass for a game of chess as well. Around us were scurrying footmen, suitcases and the kind of furniture you'd probably see at Harrods. We knew that our breaths would be taken away at such courtesy, such splendid hospitality, a setting that could never be bettered or improved on. We were not to be disappointed. 

On arrival, we were ushered over towards our table and made to feel like royalty. A gentleman in grey waistcoat and suit gently guided us in the direction of our table. Chairs were regally pulled out from under the table and we both sat down. Then in what looked like a meticulously planned ceremony, the wine waiter emerged from nowhere. Would we like red or white wine? My wife went for the white wine and husband joined in.

Wherever you looked around the Savoy Grill you were surrounded by all the hotel paraphernalia that you might have been expecting. There were marble columns, plush seats and, quite possibly, chaise longue. There were couples, families, businessmen and women all engaged in seemingly whispered conversations both confidential and, it has to be said, intriguing. Were they deeply engaged in discussion about the merits of all the London hotels and were they making in-depth comparisons with each of the other hotels? It was hard to tell. 

So our orders were taken and we promptly tucked into our lunchtime meal, hungry of course but honoured to be in such exalted company. Yours truly was suitably attired in smart black suit and tie plus a lanyard around my neck which was my way of proving that you couldn't wear a mask. The food of course was excellent and thoroughly nutritious but you couldn't help but sigh at your surroundings. You felt sure that among the plushness and sumptuousness of the Savoy, were a million stories about princes and princesses, film stars, queens and kings, showbiz celebrities, fashionistas, prime ministers and presidents from innumerable countries. 

And so we took our leave of the Savoy Grill relieved perhaps that Gordon Ramsey hadn't been there to pass judgement on the quality of his food. Now of course Mr Ramsey has our undying respect and his reputation as one of our best chefs in the world goes without saying. But then you thought about the honesty of the man, the directness of the man, some would say rudeness of the man but some of us have nothing but admiration for the former Rangers footballer. But some of us would like to go on record as insisting that Gordon Ramsey's food is simply outstanding. Well done sir.