Tuesday 8 October 2013

No Metro Tiles Please

I'm much more of a design lover than a foodie, so if I'm honest when I choose somewhere to eat its most likely to be based on how it looks. I can practically hear people sucking through their teeth at this revelation - 'oh dear, thats not the way to get a good meal, never judge a book by its cover' etc. Well I've got news for you, I always choose books based on the cover because frankly its either that or the obligatory blurb on the back claiming that this, like every other new book is the book of the year etc.

The other factor here is that I eat very well at home thanks to my partner who lives for cooking, so eating out for me is often more about the experience and ambience than the food.

As a result it takes a lot to temp me to drop my cash on an evening out and the prospect of sitting in yet another semi industrial, metro tiled cantina is no going to do it I'm afraid.

So I was really pleased to see the decor of Berners Tavern on, you guessed it, Berners St.


Hoorah! finally a new restaurant with a real sense of occasion, style and just enough pretension to make you want to dress up for said occasion.


I love the the practically floor to ceiling art work, which is something I do at home but on this scale is really impactful. The different textures of glossy prints, oil paintings and gilded frames give this huge space a much needed sense of warmth without which it would be a big fail. New York does this sort of grand scale restaurant so well but until recently only the Wolseley had nailed it here, so it nice to see someone have the balls to take on this space and be bold yet tasteful.


For the foodies, I can inform you that Grace Dent (you will be my new best friend!) gave Berners a glowing review and ate herself into a stupor. So its basically a win win situation here - oh except for the bill, but then nobody's perfect.

1 comment:

  1. Hi James! I have been following your blog and absolutely love it. I also love Berners :)

    I'm reaching out because I've launched an online interior design platform The Design District. We are re-imagining the experience for you to design and furnish your space. You can learn more on our site: http://www.thedesigndistrict.co.uk/

    I was wondering if you would be free for a quick 15 min chat. I'd love to learn more about you and potentially, if you're interested in consulting for us and curating some of our collections.

    Feel free to email me at rika@thedesigndistrict.co.uk

    Best,
    Rika

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