Actor-turned-director-turned-restaurateur Keith McNally, who came to fame with the celebrated Odeon and Balthazar in New York, has finally arrived on London's culinary scene. The new Balthazar in Covent Garden sits opposite the Royal Opera House and became the talk of the town even before it opened. The impressive yet inviting space comes out of a collaboration between McNally as well as newly established London firm Method Architects and NY-based Grayling Design. Amid elaborate interior buttresses, oversized mirrors, carmine banquettes, tiled floors and cheery lighting, patrons can be forgiven for imagining themselves in fin-de-siècle Paris. Chef Robert Reid serves up hearty bistro dishes such as duck shepherd's pie and warm goat cheese and caramelised onion tart. The boulangerie next door offers a selection of artisan breads and homemade pastries.
ADDRESS
4-6 Russell Street
WC2B 5HZ
-
A contemporary retreat hiding in plain sight in SydneyThis contemporary retreat is set behind an unassuming neo-Georgian façade in the heart of Sydney’s Woollahra Village; a serene home designed by Australian practice Tobias Partners
-
The mash-up between Mercedes and Geely continues with the multi-functional smart #5The new smart #5 is a mid-size electric SUV that promises an overload of features wrapped up in a stylish shell
-
What to see at Milan Design Week 2025We bring you a running guide to some of the events the Wallpaper* team is looking forward to at Milan Design Week (7–13 April) – from public installations and major launches to standout venues and must-see exhibitions. Stay tuned for updates...
-
A buzzy Korean pop-up becomes a permanent fixture in East LondonChef Joo Won has turned his Calong pop-up permanent in the arty enclave of Stoke Newington
-
New London restaurant Alba is a sun-soaked affairIts name meaning ‘sunrise’ in Italian, Alba is a new Amalfi-inspired restaurant set to shine in Knightsbridge
-
Now boarding Air Anya: Anya Hindmarch’s ode to aviation’s golden ageAnya Hindmarch’s new London concept store and travel accessories collection celebrate the glamour of 1970s air travel
-
‘A place for carnivores’ – Ibai is a London restaurant that celebrates Basque Country beefA Clerkenwell restaurant where unhurried steak is the star of the show
-
La Môme London finds its home at The Berkeley hotelAll the razzle-dazzle of Cannes and Monte Carlo is wrapped up in this one fabulous dining room and terrace in London
-
The new dawn of the London sandwich shopThe appeal of a quick meal between two slices of bread has long held sway in the UK. We look back on the rise of the sandwich shop and explore the new wave of London venues that are making it a more stylised experience
-
Must-visit cinemas with award-worthy designThere’s more magic to the movies at these design-led cinemas, from Busan Cinema Centre’s ‘flying’ roof to The Gem Cinema Jaipur’s art deco allure
-
London's coolest design-led coffee shops for your Fashion Week fixCoffee shops are the heart of London’s neighbourhoods, discover those fusing speciality beans and stylish interiors for the perfect brew
