Paul Winch-Furness / Photographer
100 Wardour Street is the latest concept from the famed D&D group and has arrived to tantalise the senses with live music, eye-catching interiors, fragrant cocktails, a plethora of culinary flavours and way more than just a touch of sophistication and fun.
Until last month Soho was missing something… a je-ne-sais-quoi, a missing piece of the puzzle, a patronage to the Soho from our history books. That was until 100 Wardour Street opened its doors, bringing a touch of life, soul, diversity, culture, gastronomic delight and vibes to our ever increasingly mainstreamed Soho highways.
And it makes sense for D&D Group to have chosen the old Floridita and Carom Spot. The place is full of history and passion, with its walls witness to gigs by legends such as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie.
The venue is split across two floors and contains the 100 Wardour Street Lounge on the ground floor and the Restaurant & Club in the basement. The lounge has been designed to offer a new living room for Soho, offering a place for people to come and ‘chill’ and delight in an all day menu or grab a cup of joe and read the local broadsheet. The sophisticated feel is given a relaxing edge with colourful and adventurous furniture, and even a playroom for those wanting to sneak in a game of pool. Imagine the vibe of a member’s club with no stiff prices or prerequisites, just open plan hanging out.
The Restaurant and Club is a grand affair, featuring a restaurant, bar and music venue open until 3am. Descend the majestic staircase and you reach a lair that would feel commonplace in a Great Gatsby scene. Beautiful detailing is featured everywhere, and live music sets the tone. The music stage includes live performances from a mixture of genres, both up-and coming and established. The dining areas are split across the vast space, and diners can choose to be seated in front of the live music on stools and banquets, next to the live DJ booth on a larger, swanky table or further back in a gorgeous bronzed booth lit by candlelight.
Cocktails are a main player at 100 Wardour Street and would have to be with the two large bars featured in the restaurant. The cocktail menu has been curated by former MGM Grand Las Vegas bar manager Stuart Finlay. StyleNest’s favourite tipple? Without a doubt it had to be The Deal Closer, an aromatic combination of vodka, rosemary syrup, lemon juice, strawberries and balsamic vinegar. Each cocktail is unique and you won’t find your monotone mojito on the list, it’s all herbs, syrups, juleps and spritzes here.
The menu has been devised by ex La Petit Maison chef Liam Smith-Laing, and the exquisite influence of this can be seen and tasted throughout the menu. Flavours are Mediterranean in influence and fresh and alluring in taste and quality. The menu offers everything from small plates to platters, fresh Italian pasta dishes and the juiciest of meat and fish choices. The kitchen uses a robata grill and josper oven for much of the cooking, which enables them to seize those smoky flavours and cook everything until perfectly tender. Signature favourites include: grilled queen scallops to start, a creamy and powerful black truffle linguine for a vegetarian main, the freshest of black cod served Provençal style and shoulder of suckling pig infused with orange and grilled endive.
Dessert options are wickedly good and if you fancy yourself adventurous, The Wild Card promises to delight – we dare you! Other delectable options include warm truffled brie for cheese connoisseurs, sorbets including fantastic in-season flavours such as blood orange and of course, traditional, perfectly baked, profiteroles enlivened with pistachio ice cream.
If you are looking for a serene and sophisticated all-day dining concept, 100 Wardour Street lounge is the perfect go to, whether for a delicious lunch or just a stop off in-between meetings. For a dining concept with a difference, look no further than the restaurant downstairs, a now rare breed of restaurant in Soho, it delights on vibe, service, food and atmosphere.
For further information, contact their reservations team on 020 7314 4000 or visit their website www.100wardourst.com.