HOTEL Xanadu is Ealing’s newest boutique hotel situated in place of old office blocks in Bond Street.

Inspired by Marco Polo’s tales of the Silk Route from Italy to opulent Asia in the 13th century, the hotel’s luxury decor and the restaurant’s exciting menu are infused with Eastern promise.

The hotel’s sales and marketing manager Jana Weidlova is filled with excitement and ambition about the brand which she hopes will fill a gap for upmarket eating, drinking and sleeping in the heart of Ealing. The bar and restaurant is open to the public and has already attracted young professionals who come to sample its exotic cocktails menu (from £8) on a Friday night - Hunky Monkey, Kooblakoko and Naughty Nelly, to name just a few.

I met up with my colleague Michael to sample the ‘express’ lunchtime menu, which is just a peek into the longer, more alluring dinner options.

My Strait of Malacca lamb curry (£9.50) arrived in its own cast iron bowl and a bamboo box filled to the brim with steaming coconut rice (£3.50). The lamb was marvellously succulent and the sauce mild but beautifully spiced with galangal, lemongrass and fresh turmeric. I’m usually weary of mild Thai curries - a strong Indian Madras is my takeaway staple- but I’m pleased to say I was not disappointed by the mix of warm flavours, not overpowering yet not too subtle either.

Michael said his beef lei mein noodle soup was surprisingly filling and not too spicy with just the right amount of heat. It came with five generous slices of beef shank and an exotic bunch of mushrooms.

And a warm and spicy glass of Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone (£6) fended us from the pouring streets outside.

Asia is not famed for its desserts so we weren’t surprised by the Western options. But nevertheless we both devoured ours - a lemon tart with clotted cream for Michael and a thick and creamy raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake for me.

The dinner menu boasts a bit of everything from Eastern flavoured ribs, chicken, black cod and seabass, to a selection of curries, noodle soups and seafood or mixed platters to share. The pork belly braised with dark sweet soy, star anise, cardamon and cinnamon (£8.50) grabbed my attention.

Having opened in early September, I’m sure Koobla will soon become a favourite for diners, and drinkers, wanting to be whisked away from it all.