Centrepoint isn't what you'd call an attractive building. It is 30+ stories of concrete '60s ugliness that heralds the start of the tourist hell that is Oxford Street. And, typically, of buildings this offending to the eye, it is grade II listed, so it's not getting knocked down any time soon. However, it's not all bad; perched on the top is Paramount - a bar and restaurant that is as stylish as Centrepoint is not.
If you're looking for somewhere special to celebrate an occasion or impress a date then Paramount, might just be the place for you.
It's ear-poppingly high location means that the views are stunning. We were lucky to go on a clear night and it was still light at 9pm, so we could take in the sights to the East and South of the Gherkin, Canary Wharf, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the new Shard building, London Eye and the Houses of Parliament; and on the other side, you can see the traffic on Oxford Street and the BT Tower. Clearly it's worth putting in a request for a table on the Eastern side.
But it's not just the views that are impressive; the service and food were impeccable. There was a slight mix up over table reservations but the maitre d' took care of it and we had a table with a vista that was hard to better. I've been to Tower 42's Vertigo before with its minimum-spend champagne bar pretension but Paramount is infinitely better.
We wanted some sharing plates from the bar menu in the restaurant and Norbie, our Hungarian waiter, couldn't have been more helpful arranging this. The plates of hummus, cod goujons and merguez sausage were tasty and generous, helped along with a grapefruity Sauvignon Blanc. My main course of baked salt cod with sweet potato and bok choy was delicately flavoured and beautifully presented.
L was celebrating her birthday and on discovering this Norbie offered to arrange a secret dessert platter of five mini puddings, accompanied with a birthday message, which we all enjoyed - never mind the birthday girl.
After dinner he escorted us up to the viewing gallery with its floor to ceiling windows. After dark, different sights become more obvious, like the Southbank, Battersea Power Station and Wembley Stadium. We had a moment where we were struck by what an amazing city we live in - and how sprawling and varied it is.
The prices weren't too bad either. Main courses were around the £20 mark, with sides on top, and our tasty New Zealand wine was £27 a bottle.
Paramount is certainly worth a visit - and don't be put off by the website saying it's a members club. My understanding is that it was originally but we weren't members and it wasn't a problem.
It's rare to have a night out in your city and be blown away by it. For that reason alone it's soared close to the top of my mental list of memorable nights out in London. Apt for a restaurant at such heady heights.