If there’s a more gorgeous dining room out there than that of the Atrium in the NoMad Hotel, I’m yet to find it. The soaring glass ceiling immediately lifts the eye up towards the heavens. Then, as you lower your gaze down the three-storey atrium, you’re treated to a visual feast: cascading foliage framing pale green columns, which give way to marble doorways and panelled mirrors. Olive-toned velvet couches are contrasted with squashy pink throw pillows and napkins. Sink into them while frosted glass lanterns float above you, the ultra-soft lighting making you feel like you could fall asleep at any moment.
It is slightly too dark – although not quite dark enough that you must suffer the indignity of turning your phone’s torch on (Smoking Goat, I’m looking at you). Because I am a fan of romanticising everything, I choose to describe this gloominess as “mood lighting”. Apparently, so do the dozens of other couples that are here, flirting over their tiny tea lights. Love is in the air in this very romantic venue, which, after all, once held infamous womaniser Giacomo Casanova within its walls when it used to be the Bow Street Magistrate’s Court, as well as Oscar Wilde, who also wrote extensively about love.
