Overview
Polpetto returns with Florence Knight
Andaz Liverpool Street invites you to dive into a glass of champagne
New destination Italian Restaurant for Royal Albert Hall
Indian fusion restaurant Flavours opens in North West London
Holborn Dining Room & Delicatessen opens at Rosewood London
A
Polpetto returns with Florence Knight
Russell Norman and Richard Beatty, the founders of Polpo, Spuntino, Mishkin’s and The Ape & Bird Public House, have announced the return of Polpetto, the duo’s much-loved Soho dining room. In fact, it re-opened on 10 February at its new location.
Polpetto occupied the first floor of the French House pub on Dean Street for two years with Florence Knight at the helm. During that time it attracted critical acclaim (“amazingly good… flawless… perfect” – The Telegraph) and gained a massive following of fans. But the venue proved too small and the restaurant’s 23 seats were always oversubscribed.
Florence Knight returns to the London dining scene as executive head chef of the new Polpetto on Berwick Street, which opened on 10 February. She will to continue to showcase her unique brand of meticulous seasonality and simplicity.
The restaurant seats 60 and features an aperitivo bar and an open kitchen. Reservations are taken for lunch for all party sizes and in the evening for parties of six or more. A chef’s table is available for parties of 8-14.
Polpetto, 11 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1F 0PL
020 7439 8627
(Photography: Carol Sachs)
B
Andaz Liverpool Street invites you to dive into a glass of champagne
Andaz Liverpool Street has opened a new installation, created by cutting-edge designer duo Harvey & John that invites guests to experience the sensation of diving into a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Guests are greeted in the Lounge (lobby) of the hotel by a multi-sensory light installation reflected off a wall of mirrors creating the illusion of effervescent champagne bubbles which guests are invited to touch, play, observe and interact with.
Dive into a Glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne
“How would it feel if we could shrink ourselves to become so small that we could dive into a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne?” This is the question that originally inspired the latest innovative project from Harvey & John, the avant-garde designers, who teamed up with Andaz Liverpool Street hotel and Veuve Clicquot to create this unique new installation, which is bound to delight the senses. The Dive into a Glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne installation is now open to hotel guests and the public on a complimentary basis until early April 2014.
Offering guests the opportunity to fully engage and immerse themselves within the hypnotic nature of the piece, the Dive into a Glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagneinstallation consists of 25 giant glowing spheres of which 5 are projected out of 5 sculptures filled with high pressure air. Responding to its audience at the feel of a touch, the 5 floating and 20 suspended bubbles shine brighter and radiate a glowing Veuve Cliquot yellow in colour when poked, squeezed or hugged.
Ranging in size from 50-80cm in diameter, the eye-catching bubbles are a cool champagne colour until touched and can float up to an impressive 3 meters in height. The speed at which the giant bubbles rise and fall from the champagne bottle sculptures can accelerate, reflecting bubbles bursting out of a bottle of champagne being popped, whilst the slower speed mirrors the gentle effervescence of a fresh glass of Veuve Clicquot. Guests will be able to pluck the giant bubbles from the air and play with them as they walk around the installation, emulating the sensation of floating in a glass of champagne.
Each evening, Andaz Liverpool Street welcomes its arriving in-house guests with a complimentary beverage as part of the Andaz inclusions. Throughout the Dive into a Glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne installation, in-house guests will be offered a glass of crisp Veuve Clicquot Champagne upon check-in.
For more information about Andaz Liverpool Street click here
C
New destination Italian Restaurant for Royal Albert Hall
Following a £1-million refurbishment, the Royal Albert Hall will unveil an exciting new restaurant on 15 April. Verdi, an Italian Kitchen at the Royal Albert Hall which replaces the former Café Consort, will be the iconic venue’s sixth dining venue and will be operated by “rhubarb”.
Providing 224 covers, Verdi will be open to the general public for lunch and dinner, from Tuesday to Sunday, as well as for customers attending shows at the Hall. “rhubarb” – renowned for its creative approach to cuisine – has created a menu which features authentic Italian dishes alongside a strictly Italian wine list. Highlights will include sea bream and olive gnocchi with spinach, tomato and caper dressing; stone-baked pizza with tiger prawns, asparagus, button mushrooms, mozzarella and tomato; and rigatoni arrabbiata with garlic, tomatoes and red chilli peppers all sourced from the finest Italian food suppliers passionate about the quality, integrity and flavour of their products.
Live music
Another feature of Verdi will be live music, part of the Royal Albert Hall’s ‘More at the Hall’ series, every Friday from 8pm, lunchtime on Saturdays and as part of a brunch package on Sundays. The live music will showcase the most promising young talent in London, and will form part of the restaurant’s casual, convivial atmosphere.
Interiors by Keane Brands
With interiors by Keane Brands, the refurbished space has been sympathetic to its Grade I-listed surroundings whilst adding contemporary colours, textures and finishes. Fresh, modern and with a distinctly Italian feel, the restaurant will be a friendly, comfortable space to relax in with family and friends.
Managing Director of “rhubarb”, Pieter-Bas Jacobse, commented: “The new Italian kitchen concept will offer a ‘deliciously different’ menu with mass appeal. The vibrant interior design is contemporary and chic and perfectly complements the authentic Italian dishes coming out of the kitchen. “rhubarb” is proud to have developed this concept in partnership with the Royal Albert Hall, and we look forward to delivering exceptional service and exquisite food.”
Verdi, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP
For more information click here
D
Indian fusion restaurant Flavours opens in North West London
North West London welcomes a heart and soul-warming addition to its portfolio of family and social-oriented eateries as Indian fusion restaurant, Flavours, opens its doors in Edgware. With its décor matching its fusion style food, each area of the restaurant is characteristically different, from the distinctive, yellow Chesterfield couches and white pebbled bar-front to the exposed brick walls and subdued, tea light-enhanced alcoves.
Flavours cobines its carefully edited menu of delectable Indian fusion cuisine and comfortable dining backdrop with a vibrant bar environment that has no shortage of screens to enjoy both Bollywood songs and live sports.
Additionally, the restaurant boasts a playing area dedicated to the infamous game of Carrom, for adults and children alike, with the aim of hosting regular Carrom events and tournaments. The outdoor area provides for perfect summer lounging and enjoying the desserts menu al fresco, with a designated shisha area planned for younger adults, catering to all social tastes.
Launched by the successful restaurateurs behind Bloomsbury-based, South Indian fine dining restaurant, Malabar Junction, whose previous restaurants include Utsav, Kensington and Malabar, Lincoln, the immaculately designed eatery spares no attention to detail.
The Flavours philosophy is about consistently delivering high quality cuisine, with the utmost importance placed on the food served to ensure diners keep coming back for more amid a sociable environment for families and friends.
The kitchen is presided over by coveted Head Chef, Anil Panchal. Originally from Mumbai, his previous tenures include a portfolio of 5-star hotels such as the luxury Oberoi Group and Centaur Group, as well as establishing the first Indian restaurant in Antigua’s world-famous Jolly Beach Resort – Utsav. Anil has curated a menu that draws inspiration from Indians living across the globe, whose cuisines have adapted to local flavours to create ever-dynamic fusions with culinary twists. Flavours captures the variety of Indian cooking from around the world, presenting a bespoke menu with a further South East Asian influence.
Flavours, 218 Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware, HA8 0AP
www.flavours‐restaurant.com
E
Holborn Dining Room& Delicatessen opens at Rosewood London
Restaurateur Des McDonald is set to shake up the London dining scene with his latest venture, Holborn Dining Room& Delicatessen. Opening for previews on Tuesday 18 February, ahead of its official opening on Monday 24 February at Rosewood London, the eagerly anticipated brasserie and delicatessen will offer classic British cuisine in a refined, historic setting.
Previously the East Banking Hall of Pearl Assurance, Holborn Dining Room & Delicatessen forms part of the newly opened Rosewood London, which has been meticulously restored from a 1914 Edwardian Belle Epoque building. Situated on the ground floor of the hotel, with direct access from High Holborn, Holborn Dining Room & Delicatessen will bring a fun, vibrant atmosphere to the traditional heritage of the property.
Des McDonald said: “I am delighted to be opening Holborn Dining Room & Delicatessen. It is a truly exciting project – an amazing room set in midtown London, featuring a menu of classic dishes with a few modern twists, using the best of British ingredients.”
The Team
Holborn Dining Room & Delicatessen will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. The kitchen is overseen by Executive Chef Lee Bull, former Head Chef of Le Caprice and Scott’s, with David Burke, previously Executive Chef of Le Pont De La Tour. Paul McKenna is the General Manager, whilst legendary Jon Spiteri, formerly of Quo Vadis and St John, has the role of Head Maître d‘. The bar is run by Goran Mulabdic, former Bar Manager at Brasserie Zédel and The Ivy.
8 section menu
The lunch and dinner menu, comprising traditional British dishes made from the finest locally sourced ingredients, is divided into eight sections: Cured Meats, Cold Counter, Hot Counter, Crustacea, Hot Kitchen, Sides, Sandwiches and Afters. Starters include;Pressed Ham Hock and Goats Cheese & Red Onion Tart from the Hot and Cold Counters, whilst main courses such as Dorset Rock and the Royal Seafood Platter can be selected from the Crustacea section.
The Hot Kitchen section offers additional main course options including; HerefordSirloin Steak, Wild Halibut and the HDR beef burger. Sides include a generous selection of vegetables and salads. Desserts feature retro favourites such as Steamed Jam Sponge and Banana with Custard. A High Tea menu with delectable Fish Finger Sandwiches with Tartare Sauce, Welsh Rabbit and cake of the day will also be on offer.
Holborn Delicatessen
Adjoining the brasserie is Holborn Delicatessen, which opens directly onto High Holborn, and will sell a range of coffees, teas, sandwiches, soups and salads for those on the move. Guests will also be able to choose from an array of hand-picked British products including bread, charcuterie, marmalades, clotted cream and locally produced cheeses.
Interior design
The restaurant’s interior, designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, mirrors the cuisine’s traditional British style. With impressive chandeliers, reclaimed oak furnishings, antique mirrors and leather upholstery, the 184 cover restaurant will offer a relaxed atmosphere, coupled with sophistication and glamour.
The dining room includes a bar and a dining counter (seating 35), each topped with aged copper and patina brass and leads to The Terrace (seating 50) in the hotel’s peaceful inner courtyard, where guests can dine alfresco, or enjoy a fine cigar.
Holborn Dining Room & Delicatessen
Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN
0203 747 8633
www.holborndiningroom.com
About Rosewood London
Rosewood London, located in High Holborn and housed in the original headquarters of the Pearl Assurance Company, opened in October 2013 after a sensitive renovation of the 1914 Edwardian, Grade II-listed building. Combining English heritage with contemporary sophistication, it retains Belle Époque architectural features including the original carriageway entrance to the grand courtyard and a spectacular Pavonazzo marble staircase which rises over seven storeys.
The hotel has the feel of a stylish London residence and offers 262 guestrooms and 44 suites including the Grand Manor House Wing, an exclusive six-bedroom suite with its own postcode. Designed by Tony Chi and Associates, who also created the interiors of the public areas including the 11 event spaces and the Mirror Room, the hotel’s elegantly social dining room. Rosewood London features a Sense® spa, Rosewood’s signature spa brand, a fitness suite and the Manor Club.
The Martin Brudnizki designed Holborn Dining Room, with outdoor terrace, and the warmly welcoming bar, have their own entrance onto High Holborn.