A plush new bar and terrace at The Berkeley

The Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge has opened a new bar and terrace.

Knightsbridge establishment The Berkeley, one of London’s finest hotels, is opening a new bar and terrace, just in time for the height of summer.

The snug at The Berkeley Bar & Terrace features a mural by artist TM Davy

The interior, conceptualised by Irish designer Bryan O’Sullivan, features panelling from a 300-year-old walnut tree felled in a storm, enhanced with splashes of coral, cream and pink. There are also brutalist-inspired arches, which reference the former stables of the Grenadier regiment on Wilton Place, where the hotel is primely positioned. Glass doors lead out onto an intimate terrace with four tables that overlook the neighbouring St Paul’s church. There’s also a snug, designed for parties, which features a mural painted by the artist TM Davy, its own sound system and call-for-service button.

Drinks are served from a half-moon marble bar, which features under-the-radar producers such as Japanese whisky-maker Ichiro, tequila producer Fortaleza, rum maker Trois Rivières and notable names such as Sassicaia and Macallan. To mark the opening of The Berkeley Bar & Terrace, the team has been working with Scottish whisky producers Gordon & MacPhail on the creation of a rare whisky from 1972, the year the hotel opened. There are only two bottles of this unique spirit sourced, which will be sold by the dram (£700). There’s also a cocktail list with classic and modern drinks such as the Sazerac and the Corpse Reviver (£16-£20).

The interior, which features brutalist-inspired arches, was designed by Bryan O’Sullivan

A small menu will also be served, including Parmesan chunks, salami and spicy chorizo (£8 each); crudités with chive crème and seaweed oil with taramasalata (£14); Cornish crab and lobster beignets (£26); Iberico ham and Manchego (£19) and Camembert chicken tulips (£24), while a choice of caviar presents a refreshing accompaniment (up to £470).

Restaurateurs Robin and Sarah Gill’s elegantly jazzy new culinary hotspot in Nine Elms

The legacy of Irish trumpeter and band leader Earl “Darby” Gill will be immortalised from this month when a new oyster bar, bakery and grill opens in Nine Elms, named Darby’s after the musician, chef-owner Robin Gill’s late father. Following the success of The Dairy, Counter Culture and Sorella, their trio of culinary classics in Clapham, Robin and his wife Sarah are venturing to Embassy Gardens in Battersea – close to the new US Embassy and high-end residential riverside developments.

The oyster bar will offer a selection of Ireland’s finest Dooncastle oysters and oysters cooked over embers with pickled seaweed

“My dad certainly knew how to have a good time, and a lot of that time was spent frequenting the bars of Manhattan,” says Robin, who has worked under Raymond Blanc. As such, cocktails will include The Kentucky Darby, a take on a mint julep, as well as the Spud Sour – a nod to Robin’s upbringing in Ireland.

Darby’s, which opens on Monday May 27, will be open from 8am until late, with a menu of live music every evening Monday to Saturday. Breakfast means mushrooms on sourdough toast (£11.50), waffles, cultured cream and maple syrup (£8) and Darby’s full Irish (£12), while lunchtimes in the bakery will offer a selection of sandwiches such as Darby’s own mortadella and Jersey milk ricotta on ciabatta (£5) and smoked salmon and pickle cucumber on seeded sourdough (£6). 

The Gills have already found success with The Dairy, Counter Culture and Sorella in Clapham

In the evening, starters will include Welsh farmer Tom Jones’ Dexter beef tartare, bone marrow and St George mushrooms (£12) and truffled Baron Bigod cheese with fig and walnut toast with honey.

Lady Hamilton cod on the bone and Oxford sandy black pig are among the offerings on the menu

But it’s the oyster bar that will take centre stage, with a selection of Ireland’s finest Dooncastle oysters (£4) and oysters cooked over embers with pickled seaweed (£4.50), alongside native seafood dishes such as mussels, with snacks of lobster brioche rolls and roe mayo (£13.50); Exmoor caviar with waffles and cultured cream (£27.50); and Angus veal bresaola (£7).

Darby’s will have live music every evening Monday to Saturday

The grill will also be lit up for seafood mains such as Lady Hamilton cod on the bone (£15) and Brixham wild turbot (from £30). From the land, there will be Dexter rib on the bone with Worcester and mustard glaze (£70; 1kg for two people) and Oxford sandy black pig, caramelised apple glaze and coppa (£24). All of this can be rounded off with vodka-drowned lemon sorbet (£8), malted barley affogato and milk (£7.50) or cinnamon custard tart with Jersey milk gelato (£7). Music to the ears – and the tastebuds.