Whatever happened to those magnificent rooms in ‘the moving pictures’, those elegant dinner clubs haunted by femme fatales, mob bosses, sultry singers and black tie’d rogues?
Until recently, I’d only ever been in an imitation of one. I’ve dined in some beautiful spaces in my 30 odd years, some with decent entertainment even – but sadly, there was always some minor detail, some curiously misplaced light fixture or cheap painting that outed the whole experience as a sham; a slapdash facsimile of the grand original.
Enter 1901 Restaurant and Bar. This is the real deal folks: a dining and entertainment experience effortlessly achieving the grandeur and decadence of an era imprisoned on celluloid – but with a post modern face-lift – ensuring the evening feels innovative and new, not your bog-standard retro rehash.
Housed in Andaz Liverpool Street, in what was formerly the Great Eastern Hotel, the dining room at 1901 can be described as nothing short of spectacular; like a secular cathedral with a large marble island in the centre of the room, and above – the pièce de résistance – a glorious multi-coloured stained glass domed atrium, with seating around the perimeter.
Two-top tables, nestled right next to your neighbours – seemingly annoying at first – proved an intentional strategy on the part of the management, quietly insisting my guest and I engage in dialogue about the food and performance with the strangers to our right and left.
This inaugural event ‘Coup De Theatre’ kicked-off a series of dining and entertainment evenings, ‘Fete Surprise’ at 1901, hosted by London’s alternative performance artist, Jonny Woo, who paraded in and out of the room in between courses, showcasing the volcanic bustled ensembles of a 1980s, neon-streaked, Marie Antoinette. Jonny ‘songbird’ Woo later transformed into Master of Bingo Ceremonies, with the top prize being a night’s stay at Andaz.
My guest and I feasted on canapés of various cold soups including smoked duck and avocado; the vibrant colours evoking the wild oils of a Matisse or Gauguin painting. For starters we had a choice of home cured Scottish salmon with citrus fruit and wild herbs; goats curd with Kentish beetroot; or ham with spring vegetable salad. For mains, we both decided on the beef, cooked to perfection with truffle mash, new season potatoes and red wine jus. Desserts were non-adventurous, but extremely well executed (both by the chef and my voracious mouth) – chocolate mousse, cheesecake and crème brulée…
Upcoming themes will include ‘Everybody’s Birthday’ (June 5th), ‘Tartrazine Dreams’ (July 3rd) and ‘The Pearly Party’ (August 14th).
Tickets are £49 which include canapés, a three-course meal and drinks.
The evening will start at 7.30pm with cocktails, dinner will commence at 8.00pm.
1901 Restaurant and Bar
Andaz Hotel
40 Liverpool Street
London
EC2M 7QN
+44 (0) 207 961 1234
