LONDON
TATTU , LONDON
OFFERING AN ENVELOPING , CURATED HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE UNDERPINNED WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE HISTORY , AWARD-WINNING INTERIOR DESIGN AND SHOWSTOPPING MODERN CULINARY TECHNIQUE , TATTU ’ S NEW FLAGSHIP LONDON RESIDENCE IS ONE YOU CAN ’ T AFFORD TO MISS . BY SAMANTHA READY
Having taken the north of England by storm with outposts in Leeds , Manchester , Edinburgh and Birmingham since being founded in 2015 by two brothers with a commitment to bringing some excitement to the UK ’ s dining scene , Tattu ’ s first venture south was as bold and considered as its wow-factor interiors , theatrical cocktails and inspired small plates .
One way to arrive in the capital in style is to set up shop , or should that be award-winning-withinthree-months-of-opening flagship restaurant , smack bang in the centre of the recently reinvigorated landscape of Tottenham Court Road . Thanks in part to the heralded opening of the Elizabeth Line , but not least to a flurry of architectural investment , this spot is now a hive of cultural activity and promise .
Set on the rooftop of Outernet ’ s new Now building on Charing Cross Road ( Outernet itself another commander of worthy hype , with rumours that it is set to bring a 2,000-capacity live events venue and the world ’ s largest high-res wraparound screen to a site next to the new tube station …) your first mission is to find it .
Shrouded in alluring mystery , already top of the A-list recommendation pile , and with a wait-list for key dining times already the norm , access is via an unobtrusive ( and a little tricky to find ) door - forget the Google Map and circle the building and ye shall be rewarded ! Once necessary reservations are checked , you ’ ll be whisked skywards to begin your culinary journey .
While the food and drink here are worthy of the visit alone , the award-winning interiors courtesy of Joyce Wang Studio can ’ t go unmentioned . The layout and décor takes inspiration from a traditional Chinese courtyard house , split into four residences , each themed around a different creature : Phoenix , Koi , Dragon , and Tiger . The result is a sensational nuance across each area of the bar and restaurant allowing guests to absorb the wow factor throughout their visit .
Aside charred timber and copper panelling , channelling the fire of the phoenix , delight in a theatrical cocktail or two in the flamboyant ‘ Opposite House ’ bar which offers expert mixology with smokey depths and dry-ice flourishes alongside stunning views of the city beyond . Mr R ’ s Hidden Dragon proffered a rum-based smoked espresso Martini with coconut ; spectacularly presented in a smoking cloche and revealed with wizard-like swagger . Such was the depth of smokey flavour we could pick out the scent throughout the evening as other revelling diners joined the ‘ HD ’ club . My Skull Candy was the epitome of Insta-worthy shenanigans . Freezing Crystal Head vodka , sweet candy and a splash of lemon to cut through arrived in a flurry of dry-ice and skull glass pinkness - it was divine !
Next comes the walk through the gilded copper wine cellar tunnel to the main dining room . Here , to the backdrop of pearlescent shells and rippled glass , running water and the natural habitat of Koi , you ’ ll discover the intimate ‘ Western Residence .’ The spectacular ‘ Inner Courtyard ’ is billed as the jewel in Tattu ’ s already laden crown .
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