It might not seem immediately obvious that a move from one of the country’s largest and grandest examples of 18th-century architecture to a concrete multistorey car park is a step up in the world, but then British fashion has always lived by its own rules. And so on Friday morning, the 62nd London fashion week – with 5,000 visitors, 52 catwalk shows expected – set up camp in its new home, the Brewer Street car park.
And with the change to Soho, comes a plethora of new dining options for the fashion crowd. So with that said here is a guide some of the best restaurants in and around the area.
MASH
We start with a restaurant that is right on the doorstep of the car park. Award-winning MASH is a trendy steakhouse with a Danish twist, sitting right on Brewer Street.
You can indulge with a dry-aged Danish beef, try a fantastic piece of Wagyu, sample tender corn-fed American beef or taste specially selected Uruguay Hereford beef. To the steaks they have also added an inimitable wine list, which includes one of the largest selections of American wine outside the US, five star service, mouth-watering side dishes, truly tempting desserts and incredible cocktails.
The breathtaking interior decor of the restaurant creates the perfect first impression. An elegant art deco space is complemented by MASH branding and decor, whilst dramatic design features make the MASH experience an unforgettable one.
And while models may not be renowned for their steak-eating habits, the slick, open-plan basement with booth seating is a place to be seen and a people-watching dream whilst trying their London Fashion Week Cocktail: The West End Royale.
For further information please see their website here.
No.20 Restaurant
Situated on Warwick Street, two beautiful Georgian townhouses have been converted into an opulent 30-bedroom boutique hotel, a modern British Restaurant No.20, with a secret Roof Top Terrace complete with cheeky hydro hot-tub, and a Cinema Screening Room. It has been named Hotel of the Year in the London Lifestyle Awards for three years in a row.
Mediterranean cuisine and tapas are the order of the day at the No.20 Restaurant which offers timeless vintage glamour, and is the kind of place where the fashionista’s will be phoning ahead to reserve a booth. A glossy lacquered bar swathed in bronze leather and glass-clad pillars is the kind of place to enjoy a micro-distilled gin or craft beer as you discuss the latest trends.
For further information please see their website here.
Veeraswamy
Veeraswamy Indian restaurant weaves an exotic spell of timeless glamour with a luxurious venue fit for the Maharaja.
Opened in 1926, it's the UK’s oldest surviving Indian restaurant, which is no mean feat in itself, and has served regional classic and contemporary Indian dishes to dignitaries and celebrities alike, so don't be surprised if you see one or two in there.
Overlooking Regent Street it is celebrated as the grand dame of Indian restaurants, known for it’s refined cuisine. Their food is inspired by both northern and southern regional Indian cuisine, reflecting classical and Contemporary influences, including recipes that are usually only served in gormet hideaways.
For further information please see their website here.
Heddon Street Kitchen
An edgy hideaway found just off Regent Street, Gordon Ramsay's Heddon Street Kitchen is a stylish space with a mix of vintage and modern set over two floors, open all day for brisk brunches and post-shopping pit stops through to lunch, dinners and after work cocktails. Enjoy al fresco dining on the heated terrace, tastings at the interactive wine counter, people-watching with a cocktail in the lounge bar, and the theatre of the open kitchen.
The venue has also put together a special limited additional Fashion and Design menu for London Fashion Week so it really is a must.
For further information please see their website here.
Mele e Pere
A trendy Soho trattoria, Mele e Pere offers authentic Italian gastronomy in a seriously on-trend setting.
Retro Anglepoise wall lamps and an apothecary-style bar lend an old-school vibe and it has a prime location next to the BFC (British Fashion Council), again on Brewer Street, so perfect for rubbing shoulders with the fashion crowds.
They cook a seasonal and daily changing menu with British produce and exceptional Italian ingredients with all breads, pastas, deserts, and ice-creams made fresh every day, and as you might imagine accompanied by a celebrated wine list.
For further information please see their website here.