Silk is one of the most loved and loathed fabrics in this material world.

To some it's the ultimate in sensuous glamour, to others it's a really tacky choice of bedcovering for aging lotharios.

And now it is a new restaurant at The Courthouse Hotel Kempinski. The decadently named restaurant promises to take its diners on a gastronomic journey along the traditional silk trading route of the Tang and Yuan Dynasty from 700 AD.

This culinary jaunt will take in a range of handpicked a la carte dishes from Europe, China and the Middle East (courtesy of Head Chef Elisha Carter, formerly of Lola's) and you can even chart the origins of your meal through the specially commissioned handcrafted map of the Silk Route.

Aside from the geography lesson there is even more history to be had in the dining room. Many original grade II listed features of the old courthouse are still intact and the Judges bench, dock and witness stand remain much the same as when The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols and Profumo stood trial here.

Which is a little bit more impressive than thinking about Judge Judy when you're tucking in to your starter.