Behind The Gates: Rosewood London's Five-Star Summer Culinary Escape

Forbes

a day ago

Entrance to the Rosewood London Rosewood London
While the highly anticipated opening of The Chancery Rosewood in the former US Embassy in London's Grosvenor Square finally arrives this September, the hotel brand's other London outpost - Rosewood London - continues to remind why it is one of the British capital's foremost hospitality destinations. Housed since 2013 in a gorgeous Edwardian-style structure on High Holborn Street near Covent Garden, the Rosewood London, like the city itself, truly amps up its game over the summer - and this summer is no exception. Among the property's true highlights is its exceptional dining scene— beloved by both discerning locals and hotel guests.
The spectacular facade of the ultra luxurious Rosewood London. Rosewood London
In celebration of Global Wellness Day Nathalie Schyllert and Ksenija Selivanova discuss health and wellness best practices at the Rosewood London. Erica Wertheim Zohar
Known for its creative collabs, the Rosewood this summer unveils 'La Terrasse by Grey Goose' in its grand front courtyard. Now an annual summer tradition, past Rosewood pop ups have included La Veranda by Patron and Villa Minuty at Rosewood London (not to mention a recent winter pop up in conjunction with Ruinart Champagne). This summer's iteration is billed as 'an exclusive alfresco retreat, bringing the spirit of a French summer to the heart of London.' La Terrasse might not be enough to get you to cancel that trip to the South of France, but for hotel guests and Londoners alike it certainly provides a lovely escape, be it for a lunch or dinner of French cuisine, drinks featuring Grey Goose, or for any of the many events taking place there over the summer.
I recently attended one such event celebrating Global Wellness Day which featured a breakfast in the summer terrace with Bodyism co-founder Nathalie Schyllert and a facial masterclass with author and founder of The Moments, Ksenija Selivanova. It was a gathering of London's most stylish women in a beautiful setting, all seeking to learn from these experts and to de-stress before starting a hectic day in the busy city.
'La Terrasse by Grey Goose' in the Rosewood London's grand front courtyard. Rosewood London
Capturing the elegance of a French courtyard, La Terrasse features outdoor space adorned with white parasols, greenery, and stylish deep blue seating designed by Frederic Sofia and inspired by the iconic chairs found in Paris' Jardin du Luxembourg. The terrace is finished with matching blue awnings and classic shutters - achieving a modern take on classic French charm. The indoor restaurant at La Terrasse – set under a retractable roof with seating for up to 60 – is equally charming.
The moules marinieres along with the signature drink the Spritz a la Peche – the perfect light summer cocktail - featuring Grey Goose, crème de peche, St. Germain, peach and jasmine soda. Rosewood London
La Terrasse's menu, curated by Rosewood London's Executive Chef Fernando Corona in collaboration with the Holborn Dining Room's Head Chef Ilona Perczyk, is heavy on seafood, which is all sourced locally and caught daily. Highlights include the Dover sole meuniere, oysters, salad nicoise with confit tuna, and a trio of dishes that I tried - the moules marinieres, tiger prawns, and steak frites with Cafe de Paris butter.
Tiger prawns is one of the highlights at La Terrasse. Erica Wertheim Zohar
As delicious as the food was, however, the assortment of available Grey Goose signature cocktails was equally memorable – from the Mont Blanc Martini to the Zeste to the De Provence. My favorite was the Spritz a la Peche – the perfect light summer cocktail - featuring Grey Goose, crème de peche, St. Germain, peach and jasmine soda. Thanks to our wonderful waitress Sylvia, the 'Queen of the Terrace,' for pointing us in the right direction throughout our meal.
The Great Wave off Kanagawa Rosewood London
For those looking for a more traditionally British experience, Rosewood London has also recently unveiled its latest Art Afternoon Tea, a fantastic experience blending art, flavor, and culture, inspired by the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. The experience in the hotel's Mirror Room begins with a selection of Japanese-themed savory bites. These include Japanese barbeque beef brisket and wasabi coleslaw sandwiches, sake marinated smoked salmon, and Japanese egg sandwiches.
The experience in the hotel's Mirror Room begins with a selection of Japanese-themed savory bites. These include Japanese barbeque beef brisket and wasabi coleslaw sandwiches, sake marinated smoked salmon, and Japanese egg sandwiches. Erica Wertheim Zohar
Next comes a round of sweet treats, created by Executive Pastry Chef Mark Perkins, the artistic talent behind the tea's offerings. This serving features Japanese Yuzu Cheesecake, served alongside freshly baked scones, Cornish clotted cream, homemade lemon curd, and English strawberry jam. The tea ends with the grand finale – the Art Cakes – celebrating three of Hokusai's most celebrated works: Cherry Blossom and Warbler (1827), The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1831), and Thunderstorm Beneath the Summit (1830-1834). Each cake is presented inside an edible outer shell that depicts the landscape of Hokusai's work. The results are truly works of art in their own right.
The Art Cakes – celebrating three of Hokusai's most celebrated works: Cherry Blossom and Warbler (1827), The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1831), and Thunderstorm Beneath the Summit (1830-1834). Erica Wertheim Zohar
Each course of the tea menu is accompanied by pairings of, well, tea. But not just any old tea – rather, an exclusive and extensive selection of mostly (but not exclusively) Japanese teas. The assortment of teas was nothing short of mindboggling, including various black, green, white, and yellow teas, as well as herbal, floral, and oolong teas, some very rare and unique, and each complete with a full description of its source, history, and characteristics. In short, the Art Afternoon Tea was over the top. Just be sure to arrive very hungry – and don't make dinner plans.
Holborn Dining Room Seafood Counter by Faber featuring Ollie Bass & Ilona Perczyk. Rosewood London
The Rosewood's most recent summer collab is its just-launched 'Seafood Counter' – an exclusive partnership with Ollie Bass, Executive Chef of the acclaimed, sustainability-focused restaurant Faber. Running throughout the summer, the Seafood Counter will reside in the center of the Rosewood's British brasserie, the Holborn Dining Room, and will showcase the very best of locally sourced British coastal ingredients, delivered directly from day boats and from trusted UK producers.
Rosewood London's grand British brasserie, Holborn Dining Room, is pleased to introduce a new Seafood Counter in exclusive collaboration with Ollie Bass, Executive Chef of the sustainability- focused restaurant Faber. Rosewood London
The counter will offer guests two ways to experience this coastal collaboration – via a la carte Faber dishes that will be available in the restaurant (including Maldon oysters, Chalkstream trout tartare, Dorset devilled crab, and John Dory) or via its eight- course British Shores Tasting Menu (which is also available with an optional English wine and drinks pairing). Each dish from the menu pays homage to the authentic tastes of the British coastline, from the farms of Pembrokeshire to the oyster beds of Essex. The tasting menu closes with a dessert of brown butter madeleines with dark chocolate, a traditional British seaside favorite.
The cozy Scarfes Bar located in the Rosewood London with original art by Gerard Scarfe adorning the walls. Rosewood London
If all that is not enough, guests at the Rosewood always have one of London's best bars to fall back on - Scarfes Bar. The charming Scarfes, known for its creative cocktails and nightly live music, has just unveiled its revamped drinks menu in time for summer - titled the Long Drawn Out Sip. The drinks are as delicious as they look and the bar's vibe makes it one of the hotspots in town.
The entertaining menu at Scarfes Bar at the Roswood London. Erica Wertheim Zohar
There are so many reasons why I fell in love with London this summer —wandering the colorful streets of Notting Hill, shopping at Selfridge's and the charming boutiques of Chelsea and Marylebone, taking in the incredible ABBA Voyage experience, Royal Ascot horse races and tennis tournaments - and somehow walking over 20,000 steps a day in the unseasonably warm weather. But what truly elevated the entire experience was returning each evening to the understated luxury and the hospitality of the Rosewood London.