The top line: Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen brand, inspired by the long-running television series Hell’s Kitchen, has made its UK debut within The Cumberland Hotel. While it’s not quite on the same scale as the celebrity chef’s recently launched City project, it’s still pretty impressive: the 7,500 sq ft restaurant seats more than 200 covers, including no fewer than four chef’s tables. More are set to follow, with the partnership between Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Global and the Marble Arch hotel’s owner The Clermont Hotel Group said to mark the beginning of a multi-site deal between the two groups. The London launch brings Hell’s Kitchen to a total of nine locations worldwide, joining eight restaurants in the US and a further site in Ibiza. The opening follows key leadership appointments, including general manager Santino Cicciari and head chef Kyle Lewis. The opening also follows the appointment of Stirling Webb as The Cumberland Hotel’s executive chef; he will oversee all culinary operations across the venue, including Hell’s Kitchen.
The menu: Hell’s Kitchen London mixes classics with new creations exclusive to London. Starters include salmon maki with wasabi mayonnaise and red shiso; harissa flatbread with garlic harissa butter and chives; seared scallops with pea purée, braised bacon, pickled fennel and chicken jus; and shrimp cocktail with lemon and cocktail sauce. Mains include beef Wellington with potato purée, glazed root vegetables and red wine demi-glace; lobster risotto with butter-poached lobster tail, saffron broth and tomato soffritto; grilled Dover sole with brown butter grenobloise sauce; and a vegan option of tofu fried rice with cabbage, kale, pickled mushrooms, spiced cashews and sesame seeds. Sides include parmesan fries and macaroni cheese. In addition to the à la carte menu, Hell’s Kitchen London offers a five-course tasting menu.
The vibe: As you’d expect, the setup is reminiscent of the show, with chefs cooking in an open kitchen and wearing signature red and blue bandanas. The interiors are bold and contemporary, combining dramatic lighting with the brand’s signature flames and a backdrop of vibrant tiles. Live DJs perform throughout the week, adding to the restaurant’s high-energy atmosphere.
And another thing: The opening is a homecoming of sorts. Hell’s Kitchen was born in London in 2004 and was filmed in an actual restaurant in Islington. The original UK version saw Ramsay berate celebrities, but the US version - which aired a year later - saw a switch to professional chefs and was filmed in purpose-built studio restaurants in Los Angeles.
Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London, W1H 7DL