The top line: The first of what will eventually be a flood of new restaurants within Olympia’s £1.3bn regeneration. Idalia is located in the West London landmark’s Pillar Hall, an Italianate-style space originally designed for concerts, exhibitions and circus performances. The 300-cover restaurant “evokes themes of beauty, romance and timeless glamour”. The opening - one of the biggest launches of the year in terms of investment - is the latest project from Des Gunewardena’s D3 Collective, which is also behind Engel and Jang in The City. The redevelopment of Olympia into a year-round cultural, entertainment and business district is in its final stages. When fully complete in 2027, it will feature more than 30 restaurants, bars and cafés, alongside two hotels, a 4,000-capacity live music arena and a 1,500-seat theatre. The scheme is expected to increase annual visitor numbers to around 15 million.
On the menu: The food is described as rooted in modern British cooking, while also reflecting “the international influences that define London’s dining scene”. Signature dishes include lobster linguine with datterini tomatoes, chilli, garlic and basil; whole wood-roasted turbot with shichimi togarashi butter and pickled daikon (pictured above); and grass-fed porterhouse steak cooked over coals. Desserts include the Vivienne Heel, a theatrical creation presented in a chocolate stiletto, referencing Olympia’s historic links to the fashion world. Structured like a couture house, the cocktail list takes a similar approach. It is divided into The Foundations (classic serves), The Tailored (reworked classics using modern techniques) and The Statements (more expressive, signature drinks). Options from the latter include the D&G, a tequila highball with grapefruit, lime, lychee and elderflower, served in a glass handbag (pictured below).
The vibe: Designed by Robert Angell Design International, Idalia is billed as “grand yet intimate”, drawing on the building’s heritage and nearby Kensington gardens. Garden-inspired interiors soften the scale of the historic hall, with greenery, warm tones and layered lighting throughout. A central bar anchors the space, framed by marble, foliage-clad pillars. Pillar Hall also houses a speakeasy-style bar with live music, Pepperbird, while Upstairs at Pillar Hall - a 500-capacity events and performance space - is set to launch in the autumn.
And another thing: Idalia takes its name from an alternative word for Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty and desire. The kitchen is led by an all-female team: executive chef Samantha Williams previously held the same role for Angela Hartnett, while executive pastry chef Lorena Tommasi has worked with Jeremy King and Caprice Holdings.
Olympia Way, London W14 0NE