Art Delicieux: London’s Best Gallery Restaurants
This week is London Art Week – the world’s most important gallery-based celebration of pre-contemporary art. Bringing together almost 50 leading specialist dealers and three auction houses, this year will present more dedicated exhibitions than ever before, and will also include nine new participants. To celebrate, we have rounded up the best gallery restaurants in the capital.
National Dining Rooms – The National Dining Rooms at the National Gallery offer stunning views over Trafalgar Square whilst creating an escape from the busy city below. Chefs celebrate and transform the finest British regional produce into exquisite modern dishes that represent the best of Britain’s abundant food treasures.The National Dining Rooms offers decadent surroundings for a leisurely lunch, surrounded by the world’s most famous pieces of art, creating ideal surroundings to discuss your favourite pieces from the galleries below.
Gallery Mess – Gallery Mess is located just off Kings Road in the heart of London’s most prestigious locale, Chelsea. With a stunning terrace, bar, restaurant and intimate private dining room, The Saatchi Gallery’s dining destination serves a delicious marriage of food and art, and offers the best service in town. Currently displaying at the world-renowned gallery is Exhibitionism, the celebrated Rolling Stones collection. Gallery Mess hosts a bottomless brunch every Sunday with your choice of Prosecco, Bloody Mary or Champagne. During the week there is a beautifully presented traditional Afternoon Tea, served with warm scones, macaroons and delicate cakes priced at only £15.50pp, with a choice of a flute of bubbles for an additional £8.25 or a pot of Hendrick’s tea (wild berry, orange, gin) for an additional £20.00 for two people.
The Wallace Collection’s stunning courtyard is the glamorous location for Peyton and Byrne’s French-style brasserie The Wallace Restaurant. This is a London dining experience just waiting to be discovered, housed amongst wonderful works of French art from the 18th century . Flooded with natural light and dotted with trees and sculptures, the Wallace Restaurant offers al fresco dining in a sublime setting protected from both the elements and the bustle of the West End. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, the restaurant is the perfect anytime oasis, just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street in the heart of Marylebone. To experience it at its best however, visit on Friday or Saturday evening when you can dine under the stars and feast on the full a la carte menu. From beautiful filet of veal with beetroot gravlax & thyme sabayon to root vegetable tartar with sea lettuce croquettes, the restaurant celebrates the very best of modern French cuisine, all made with the finest British and French ingredients.
The Keeper’s House – Nestled in the midst of the esteemed Royal Academy of Arts, the Garden at The Keeper’s House provides a hidden sanctuary during the warmer months. Follow bespoke neon signs designed by Tracey Emin through an exclusive doorway neighbouring the entrance to discover The Garden. Offering seasonal and foraged dishes inspired by the garden’s exotic palms and vibrant ferns, this intimate spot is the city’s best kept alfresco secret to relax with a cocktail from the bar.
- Further details on London Art Week, including information on participants, exhibitions, tours, a catalogue and a map, can be supplied on request, and can also be found at www.londonartweek.co.uk.
