Pan Asian, small plates, killer cocktails and top-end service. In the space formerly occupied by One Kensington, a new lounge style restaurant and bar is opening later this month which has all the right ingredients for success. Beyond London will open under the aegis of chef Ian Pengelly, who grew up in Hong Kong, and whose time at Gilgamesh and Harrod's Chai Wu has given him a wealth of experience in Asian food, with a reputation to match.
The sample menu certainly sounds ambitious, with the likes of sea bass with gold flake steamed dumplings, mixed 'bubbling and smoking' sashimi, dragon's whiskers with mango sauce, and a green tea chocolate fondant to follow.
The team also boasts an award winning mixologist, Andy Mil, to look after the drinks - and there's no shortage of creativity there too. We're intrigued by the sound of the 'Ra!' - a cocktail which evokes the birth of the sun by somehow enveloping the air with orange oil and hydrogen before being ignited, table side, to leave a drink which shimmers with gold. Which all sounds a LOT of fun - even before you've drunk the cocktails.
According to Ian Pengelly, the new venture is aimed at customers "with impeccable taste". Music, fun, dancing, he says, "Beyond will have it all."
Beyond London opens for soft launch on 20 October 2015 at 1 Kensington High Street, London W8 5NP - opening hours Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm until late.
