While in the US recently, Lusso supremo Dan Sharp gave me a particularly tough assignment. “Our US agents have reported that Norma’s make the best breakfast in New York. Your mission Dave” he continued “is to find out if this is remarkable claim is true!” Armed with nothing but a keen appetite and a hungry photographer, I set off to find out for myself.

‘Location Location Location’ is a mantra we’re all familiar with, and as premium addresses go, you can’t get much better 118 West 57th Street, New York. This is where you’ll find the Le Parker Meridien Hotel. Most people have heard of Central Park and Times Square, or Fifth Avenue and Broadway. Well, Le Parker Meridien is located slap-bang in the middle, making it quite possibly the ideal base for a New York visit. And, as the dollar continues to slump against the pound, it also offers quite extraordinary value.

Our companion for breakfast was Marisa Zafran – the hotel’s glamorous Director of Public Relations. I was immediately struck by the simple yet stunningly stylish layout of the restaurant. Limestone steps lead up from the hotel lobby, while the floor is covered with maple and Brazilian cherry. The walls feature the rare South American Seppele wood, and I was particularly taken with the tabletops, which are made of the same type of architectural glass usually seen on a building’s exterior.

Anyway, enough about the décor, how’s the grub? In a word - exceptional. The meal started with a complimentary fresh-fruit smoothie shot, which was absolutely delicious. Having deliberated over the menu for some time (the various options all looked mouth-wateringly tasty -particularly Normalita’s Huevos Rancheros con Chorizo - I love Mexican food) I eventually chose the scrambled eggs and bacon breakfast quesadilla with jack cheese, guacamole and salsa. It was truly magnificent - in fact even thinking about it is making me hungry! Photographer Duncan had the chicken and wild mushroom omelette with fire roasted peppers. He reported that - just like my quesadilla - it really was exceptional. The meal was rounded off with some excellent coffee. Although nothing could have been further from my mind - Marisa insisted that we inspect the gym (was she trying to tell me something?)

‘Gravity’ is an amazing 15,000 square feet multi-level gym, and fitness centre, which I promised Marissa I would try the next time I was in town... However, what I really liked was possibly the best-kept ‘secret’ in New York - there is a funky little burger bar hidden away behind a curtain in the lobby. This is a really cool place to eat, as some of the celebrity signatures scrawled on the walls clearly testified! I was hugely impressed by Le Parker Meridien. The food, ambience and location are all exceptional, while the view from my hotel window really was simply stunning. I’ll definitely be back.

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