South Kensington. Sure, it’s home to world-class museums, and a world-class array of elderly-rich-people-walking-small-dogs, but does it have a world-class restaurant-slash-café-slash-events-space? As of this month: probably.
The Lavery is an elegant new opening, promising to combine Mediterranean seasonality with British culinary influences and high-quality Scottish produce – and Nudge members are getting an exclusive secret soft launch, with 50% off food from 25th March – 8th April.
It’s the work of a highly experienced hospitality team. Heading up the kitchen is Yohei Furuhashi, previously of Toklas, whose unimpeachable CV includes stints at the River Café and Petersham Nurseries. Alcides Gauto, another Toklas alum, is front of house – Gauto also being a familiar face to regulars at the beloved Rochelle Canteen, a restaurant which happens to have been launched way-back-when by The Lavery’s consulting creative director, Martin. What we’re saying is – you’re in safe hands.
Everything about the opening is sleek, confident and ambitious. The seasonal menu is daily-changing – this spring it will include the likes of slow cooked rabbit pappardelle, gnocchi di patate with ricotta, and Scottish scallops with alubia beans, radicchio, marjoram, capers and anchovy – with produce sourced from the Balcaskie Estate on the east coast of Scotland.
The interiors are as stylish as the menus – the venue itself sits within a collection of meticulously-restored Grade II-listed Georgian townhouses, which were once the home and studio of Anglo-Irish painter Sir John Lavery (yep, hence the name), and his wife, the glamorous Lady Hazel. As such there are beautifully-preserved period features – fans of ‘intricate cornicing’, your time has come – which sit alongside an eye-catching modern zinc bar courtesy of Daytrip Studio (they of Nightjar Carnaby), plus furniture sourced from an array of classic hospitality hotspots, from Venice’s Hotel Excelsior to Soho’s Groucho Club.
There’s a café coming in late spring, completing the venue’s culinary offering and creating an all-day dining destination. Your ‘post-V&A Museum bite to eat’ just became exponentially more delicious.
NOTE: The Lavery opens on March 25th. You can find out more information or book at table on their website.
PERK: Nudge Members +1 are getting an exclusive secret soft launch with 50% off the food bill from 25th March – 8th April. Find out more under the ‘50% off Food’ banner above. Not a Nudge Member yet? Sign up for a free 7 day trial.
The Lavery | 4 Cromwell Place, London, SW7 2JE
Stomping around South Kensington for the day? Check out our Kensington area guide
