NEW OPENING
Up On The Roof
Cé la Vi, the modern Asian rooftop restaurant and bar has just made its European debut and looks set to become one of the Capital’s most exciting dining destinations. Crowning the top of Paddington Square, it opened last month, becoming west London’s highest rooftop restaurant.
Offering sweeping skyline views, Cé la Vi is spread across two levels, and features a stunning outdoor terrace. The restaurant, bar and lounge opens from midday until late, evolving throughout the day from elegant lunches and sunset drinks to sultry dinners and late-night cocktails.
Cleverly crafted cocktails with an Asian sensibility are served from an open central bar – think elevated classics with regional ingredients and seasonal twists, including a wickedly good shiso sargarita. And it goes without saying that the food menu is equally special – bold and contemporary, it is rooted in modern Asian cuisine. Vibrant, seasonal dishes celebrate Asia’s diverse culinary heritage and are crafted using the highest quality ingredients and locally sourced produce. Signature plates include miso seabass with Szechuan green chilli sauce; crispy red snapper; and Wagyu beef tataki with truffle ponzu. A truly elevated foodie experience – this really is the life.
17th & 18th floors, 1 Paddington Square, W2 (020 4630 7888 ; ldn.celavi.com)
IMMERSIVE DINING
Sought after sushi
This month only, diners at Kioku Sake Bar – the intimate bar from Michelin starred chef and third-generation sushi master Endo Kazutoshi located at Raffles London at the OWO – can experience a very special ten course standing menu. The concept takes inspiration from the Japanese tradition of tachigui – an informal way to eat sushi while standing at a counter, traditionally found in bustling sushi bars.
Standing Sushi at Kioku Sake Bar will be a contemporary take on this immersive dining experience, where guests and chefs can interact whilst enjoying exceptional cuisine. The specially designed ten-course menu will be served over 45 minutes. The bar is home to the largest collection of Sake in Europe, and to complement the sushi menu, a meticulously crafted pairing of mini cocktails and sake is being served alongside. This is fast food as you’ve never seen it before.
The experience is priced at £70 per person and is available on Wednesday evenings until 22 October. Ground Floor, The OWO, 2 Whitehall Place, SW1A (kiokubyendo.com)
NEW MENU
A royally inspired treat
Theatre fans listen up: The Soho Hotel, part of the design-led Firmdale Hotels group, has just launched a new experience, offering a theatrical twist on the classic British tradition. Available now, the exclusive SIX the Musical Afternoon Tea has been designed in collaboration with the hit West End show. Celebrating the six wives of Henry VIII, the crowning glory of the new tea menu is a regal selection of pastries, each representing one of the iconic queens. The dainty sweet treats include Aragon’s Crown of Honour; Boleyn’s Strawberry Biscuit; Seymour’s ‘Heart of Stone’ Blueberry Choux; Black Forest Cake of Cleves; Howard’s All You Want is Rice Pudding; and Parr’s Tudor Rose and Lemon Curd Macaron.
Served alongside these are a delectable spread of Tudor inspired finger sandwiches and savoury bites, including a crayfish manchet roll, and handmade pork pie with sage and fennel, plus freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves.
Diners can choose to toast the queens with a special signature cocktail designed to complement the tea menu: The Ex-Wives features flavours of peach, grapefruit, and rosemary, while the non-alcoholic Lady in Waiting is mixed with elderflower, peach, and jasmine. A spread worthy of Hampton Court Palace if ever there was one.
Priced from £45 (£57 with The Ex Wives cocktail), the tea will be served daily until the end of the year. 4 Richmond Mews, W1D (020 7559 3007; firmdalehotels.com/ hotels/london/the-sohohotel/ afternoon-tea)
