DINNER Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Tihany Design conceived the interiors for Chef Heston Blumenthal’s newest venture and his first restaurant in the heart of London. Inspired by Chef Blumenthal’s deep interest and knowledge of 16^thcentury cookery and his use of local ingredients, the design is a contemporary British Brasserie concept; an innovative illustration which influences the senses, yet remains true to British culinary and design traditions. In the main dining room, floor to ceiling glass walls provide guests with a glimpse of the kitchen and more significantly, an unusual, one-of-a-kind large scale pulley mechanism. Built by Ebel, the gears and crank resemble the craftsmanship of an oversized watch, mechanically rotating a spit in an open-fire rotisserie. Custom-made porcelain wall sconces charmingly shaped in the form of antique cake molds decorate the main dining room.

Chocolate brown leather and smoky grey velvet textured seating contrasts with plush saffron colored pillows, enveloping guests within. Elaborate antique brass mesh chandeliers are suspended from above, a single whimsical “bird” perched on high. As guests enter the bar area, 16th century British culinary recipes, sourced from rare antique cookbooks, are displayed along the wall behind a one-way mirror. Much like a riddle, the recipes appear and disappear, depending on the light’s reflection. The private dining room offers a modern take on the traditional wood beamed ceiling and rust colored leather-clad walls reveal small recesses of the underlying old brick wall. These bespoke and refined details are characteristic of Tihany’s unique design philosophy and reinforce Heston’s talent at reviving and modernizing traditional British cuisine.

Photography: Eric Laignel, George Apostolidis - Image: 9