Tag: restaurant

Posted on

Under, an underwater dining experienced in Norway

Situated at the most southerly point of Norway, a restaurant 5 metres underwater, opened earlier this year. The restaurant was built on a barge before being submerged and bolted to a concrete slab anchored to the bedrock beneath the sea bed and it’s the world’s largest and Europe’s first underwater restaurant.

Under is designed to look like a rock formation above the ground. The entrance is above the water, clad in oak and guests descend to a mezzanine level where the bar area is situated and there’s a vertical window where guests have a split level view of air and sea. The dining area is down further with a huge window to look at the seabed, which changes in colour throughout the day and seasons, from sapphire blue on a cold Winter’s day, to emerald green in the Summer. Depending on the season the fish species that can be seen are pollack, cod, colourful wrasse, urchins, crabs, lobsters, spiny dogfish and kelp.

The plan is for the structure to integrate with the marine environment over time. Its half-metre-thick concrete walls are built to withstand pressure and shock from the sea conditions, while the rough shell will function as an artificial reef for marina flora and fauna. The restaurant collaborated with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomic Research to create optimal conditions on the surrounding seabed so that fish and shellfish can thrive.

Under has seating capacity for 100 guests, but on normal nights it will serve 40 guests. The menu includes fish and seafood and also the option of tasting seabirds and wild sheep from the surrounding area.

Posted on

Why choose an unusual venue for your event?

There are lots of good reasons to choose a different or unusual venue for your event. Somewhere that has the ‘wow’ factor or is popular on social media will boost attendance because people want to go there. We all know about museums, sporting venues, castles etc, but now it’s all about what’s new. It’s not always easy to find a desirable venue, but look at Instagram and check which have created a great brand.

Of course, you need to follow the normal rules and consider the overall capacity, whether the space will work, access for production and caterers etc as well as the objectives and finding somewhere to match your brand. But if you’ve got the creative juices going then it’s time to think outside the box and find a venue to match your message.

Create an amazing first impression

This will start with the event invitation, people will want to attend and be part of your experience. Don’t only think about the venue, but what about the entrance and is there outside space? Build the excitement before people arrive.

Hire a bar or restaurant

There are new places launching all the time, some have private dining and some can be hired privately. Rooftops are really popular, so how about the B&H Garden Room on a rooftop in Leicester Square which has great views. Or Ours in South Kensington and Sushi Samba both have private dining rooms for small groups and are places that people want to be seen.

Hotels

The ME London can now privatise the Atrium area on their 1st floor for events and Zela is a new restaurant on the ground floor. The Curtain in Shoreditch can privatise their Lido Deck restaurant at some times of the year.

Cafés

The café culture has exploded in recent years and these destination venues are particularly good for a breakfast or lunch event. Take a look at
Feya and Butterscotch as well as the Elan Café, which has flower walls and LED lighting. Just one thing to watch for is that not all cafés are licensed so you may not be able to serve alcohol.

Blank canvass

Think about a warehouse, car park, ice rink, church and farm buildings as these venues can offer a large space to create the mood you wish. The ambiance is important, but also having flexibility to do what you want.

The warning signs

There is a risk if you work with a venue whose normal business is not events. You’ll need to keep on top of the communication, check their insurance, contracts and KPIs carefully to make sure the venue can deliver as agreed. If the venue is open to the public, there may be restrictions when you can have access and when you need to return it to them.

Posted on

Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants opens its doors to London

The brand makes its UK debut with the opening of Kimpton® Fitzroy London

Kimpton® Fitzroy London, the first UK hotel from boutique luxury brand, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, opens its doors in London’s Bloomsbury neighbourhood. The hotel combines late-Victorian heritage with a quirky, modern vibe. The existing glamour of the building paired with Kimpton’s signature heartfelt service brings a new hotel offering to London that delivers exclusivity for everyone.

Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants

Set on Russell Square within an iconic Grade II listed heritage building dating back to 1898, design-led Kimpton Fitzroy London features 334 luxurious rooms and suites, a large ballroom, various restaurants and bars, modern meeting rooms and a 24-hour fitness centre.

A true homage to British history and design, the hotel is named after the original architect of the building, Charles Fitzroy Doll, a Titan of British architecture in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.  The interior features striking, contemporary design by lead designer Tara Bernerd & Partners that thoughtfully honours the building’s heritage. The bedrooms are decorated with Kimpton’s bold and playful edge and include unexpected touches such as unique, contemporary artwork and vibrant floral cushions, featuring a bespoke design by British textile artist Kit Miles.

Kimpton Fitzroy London offers Kimpton’s much-loved signature touches including in-room yoga mats, complimentary bikes to explore the city, tea and coffee to fuel up for the day, and welcomes pets to stay for free. In true Kimpton style, perks take on a local slant and the hotel will host a complimentary champagne hour – a daily social gathering for hotel guests.

“This hotel will bring a new luxury approach to the UK– a more inclusive style of luxury as opposed to museum-like spaces so guests don’t need to keep their voices down in the lobby, or wear a suit jacket to dinner. A defining trait for the Kimpton brand is the focus on heartfelt human connections. We want guests to enjoy the glamour of a historic iconic building but still feel free to be themselves. It’s an approach we’re excited to bring to London, as we know it’s what guests in this city are craving.”

Paul Walters, General Manager of Kimpton Fitzroy London

Kimpton Fitzroy London has an interior courtyard, the Palm Court, which provides a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of central London. Neptune restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a range of modern seafood dishes courtesy of duo Brett Redman and Margaret Crow in a stylish, yet relaxed environment. The 1920’s inspired Fitz’s is the spot to enjoy an evening cocktail while Burr & Co. coffee house awaits guests and locals throughout the day. Neptune, Fitz’s and Burr & Co. have all been designed by Russell Sage Studio.

Overlooking Bloomsbury’s Russell Square and only two minutes’ walk from Russell Square tube station, the hotel is located steps away from The British Museum, Lambs Conduit street and London’s West End, making Kimpton Fitzroy London the perfect base from which to explore all that the British capital has to offer.

Next year will see a continuation of the Kimpton brand’s momentum, with additional hotel openings in key UK cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester. Kimpton first launched in Europe in 2017 with the opening of Kimpton De Witt in Amsterdam, and since then the brand has rapidly increased its global footprint following signings in Barcelona, set to open in 2019, Tokyo and Paris, both set to open in 2020 and Frankfurt due to open in 2023. In the next few months Kimpton Da An Hotel in Taipei will also open its doors, the first Kimpton hotel in Asia.