How to escape from the rain
Seemingly in reaction to the recent weather, an abundance of new watering holes have cropped up in London. The Collection, one of Chelsea’s choicest ventures on Brompton Road, relaunched with Kitchen 264, which includes a swanky new lounge bar designed by maestro of interiors Tom Dixon. He utilises his signature hanging metallic lighting alongside scorched woods, exposed bricks and plush leather banquettes.
Close by in South Kensington, the exclusive Brompton Club will be opening its tightly sealed doors to the public, as well as one of Manhattan’s hottest chefs, when John DeLucie’s The Lion pops up until July. Renowned for his elegant take on Italian-American cuisine and his ability to draw in the right crowd at exclusive joints like the Waverly Inn, the sophisticated oak-paneled atmosphere of the Brompton Club seems like the ideal place to play host to The Lion’s signature dishes.
During the Olympics an unprecedented luxury pop-up will launch on Chiswell Street in Moorgate. The Retreat will be open for 17 days and supply unlimited food, drink and entertainment to all of its members, with a variety of different rooms including an outdoor park, a Great British Diner serving fine fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a cinema to catch the Olympic action, a glamorous nightclub, a country club and even a backstage theatre area with on-site beauty professionals.
Xavier Rousset and Agnes Sverrison of Michelin-starred Icelandic resto Texture are continuing their successful foray into the world of wine bars with the second installation of 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen which opens soon on Marylebone Lane. The warm and rusticated design executed by the team behind Roka encompasses floor-to-ceiling lighting and a striking bar. Wine will be a key feature, with many of their Collector’s List on offer alongside a menu of light bites.
In Soho, a contemporary bar and brasserie named Central & Co launched this week, which will offer small plates of British cuisine that prioritises provenance. It looks well positioned to become a popular post-work haunt for Soho’s media set.
Tim Badham is the founder of Innerplace, London’s leading entertainment concierge service. www.innerplace.co.uk.