London Gastro-Trend: Opulent Interiors

Extravagant interiors are hot on the London dining scene! Paying tribute to the splendour and opulent grandeur of classic periods, here are our top picks of places to see and be seen in – each introducing a note of glamour to the modern age with statement furnishings, rich colour palettes and sumptuous fabrics.

Park Chinois
17 Berkeley St, London W1J 8EA

Park Chinois in London’s Mayfair is opulence at its best. Offering a latter-day revival of the ’30s dinner-dance experience, Park Chinois upholds the glamour of that golden era, against a backdrop of the very highest levels of service. Finished to the highest level, designed by Jacques Garcia and renowned restauranteur Alan Yau, Park Chinois showcases French Chinoiserie with custom marble floors, deep velvets and mirrored walls and ceilings. Warm, rich reds, ambers and golds complement one another and create a spectacular theatrical setting.

The Lecture Room & Library at sketch
9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG 

Housed in a grade two-listed building, sketch is located in the heart of Mayfair at 9 Conduit Street. Designed by James Wyatt in 1779, the 18th-century building was previously the headquarters for the Royal Institute of British Architects before being transformed into sketch in 2002. Conceived by French master chef Pierre Gagnaire and restaurateur Mourad Mazouz, the two visionaries came together with a vision of launching a “lieu” destination for art, food and music, thus creating leading London destination sketch.  Ascend the stairs to sketch’s two-Michelin starred gastronomic restaurant, The Lecture Room & Library, a sophisticated and luxurious dining room. Awarded its first Michelin star in 2005, in 2012, the restaurant won its second Michelin star, which it retains today. Created by leading interior designer Gabhan O’Keeffe, the spaceprovides a spacious and relaxing atmosphere. All ‘tasting’ and ‘a la carte’ menus are devised by French Master Chef Pierre Gagnaire, offering a unique breadth of ingredients and a complexity of combinations.

Bronte
1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5EJ

Bronte is a vibrant new venue serving up fresh and modern dishes from breakfast through to dinner. Taking its place at 1-3 The Strand and overlooking Trafalgar Square, Tom Dixon and his talented team have designed a glamorous and inviting space to reflect the Antipodean-inspired menu. Bronte’s name takes inspiration from a famous neighbour, Lord Nelson, also known as the first Duke of Bronte. A nod to his impressive naval career, elements of a ‘collector’s house’, with treasures from far afield, run throughout the design. Floor to ceiling windows bathe the pantry area in natural light, with a subtle and stylish palette travelling through to the main restaurant. An expansive building, each area uses colour and ‘collector’s items’ to create its own personality, with extraordinary materials used generously and boldly. The bright and airy rooms are accented with colour from a pink concrete bar and green granite feature kitchen, to custom design furniture with emerald green leather and black timber booths, and plenty of foliage to bring the outdoors in.

 

MNKY HSE
10 Dover St, London W1S 4LD

MNKY HSE’s cheeky and playful personality is mirrored in its mysterious and eclectic design scheme. Quirky, decorative features include a series of design elements that will transform as the night goes on.The upstairs restaurant and bar boast a sleek look; with dark-wooden parquet flooring, a Murano crushed chandelier in the lobby, a 3D-honeycomb back-wall and leather-clad banquette style seating, perfect for business meetings, long lunches and evening drinks. Downstairs, an open plan kitchen overlooks the banquette seating that is adjustable to accommodate dancing and encourage table-hopping. A series of private booths, perfect for larger bookings, have been built into artistically designed Vaults, covered with vintage steel lift doors. There is also be a spacious bar lounge for customers to enjoy the downstairs entertainment.