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Crowds of explorers swarm the place and sample some of London’s most prized street food and fresh produce out there. Freshly squeezed juices and Turkish style coffees made themselves at home on our table, followed by five beautifully crafted dishes shared by my Mum and me. The buckwheat pancakes tasted gorgeously decadent with orange blossom cream and a pecan crumble whilst the Turkish-style fried eggs exploded with flavour in coal roasted peppers, aubergine and a side of spicy sausage. Haloumi and herb tortilla was a highlight, served with Sangak bread, the warm tortilla oozed melted creamy cheese flavoured with Persian herbs.

The mini bar cabinet was stocked with an elegant selection of liquor and there were other bits available to purchase, including The Mark-logo playing cards, luxury cologne and for those in need of a pick-me-up, some cucumber eye pads. The food selection at The Mark weighs heavily on the seafood side and if this is your thing, you’ll be in heaven! I love fruit in the morning and The Mark’s fruit platter was one of the best hotel offerings I’d seen in quite a while, with a mix of lychee, melon, pineapple, star fruit, orange, nectarine, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries keeping me excitedly entertained. For those who fancy something a little heartier, The Mark breakfast ($44) presents itself as a feast fit for a king, with eggs, seasonal greens, ham, smoked bacon and sausage accompanied by slices of toast and washed down with freshly squeezed orange.

All of the chambers are named after historic figures in the area, and I was shown to one dedicated to Henry Bennett-Smith, who was a prestigious surgeon. As with the previous rooms I’d stayed in, the Henry Bennett-Smith had everything to see me through the day, including a well-stocked minibar, a stack of reading material perching on the fireplace and a flatscreen TV hiding in one of the antique cupboards should the mood strike. Before we ventured out for dinner, a member of staff brought us a tea tray – another of my favourite quirks at The Rookery – with a kettle, a pot of fresh tea leaves, milk and a little flower in a vase to add a splash of colour. Before we fell into a deep sleep in the plush antique bed, we filled out the little morning menu and left it on our door.

Sat in Le Pont de la Tour on a Friday night, I was suddenly drifting to a memory of dining at the River Cafe in New York. From the classic sophisticated decor, to the classic style of service and polished menu, this place reminds lots of the revered Manhattan spot. While the other dishes at Le Pont de la Tour had followed the classical format, this sweet treat was pretty snazzy and a modern reinterpretation of the much-loved pud. That’s the thing with Le Pont de la Tour, it’s a little like stepping back in time to that golden era.