STARS in your eyes What do Usain Bolt, Idris Elba and Enrique Iglesias have in common? They are all opening restaurants in London. Sarah Riches looks at the capital’s VIP dining destinations
Ever since Zela launched in 2017 in the south of Ibiza, celebrities have flocked to try its Mediterranean-Japanese cuisine and cocktails. Now, the singer Iglesias, tennis player Nadal and footballer Ronaldo have teamed up with Spanish entrepreneurs Manuel Campos Guallar and Abel Matutes to open a branch in ME London hotel on the Strand. Like the original, it fuses Mediterranean fish with Japanese techniques. As Japan is also known as Nippon, this cuisine has been dubbed ‘Meppon’. Ronaldo says: ‘Zela is one of my favourite Asian restaurants in the world; I go there with my friends and family whenever I am in Ibiza and I’m delighted to open it in London. The blend of Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine, with familiar flavours and a fresh and healthy touch, really matches my lifestyle.’ Chef Ricardo Sanz, who has four restaurants with a Michelin star, is Zela London’s gastronomic director, while the venue is managed by Francesco Sica from Coya in Mayfair. Diego Gronda’s studio – which also designed Zela Ibiza and for Gordon Ramsay, Grand Hyatt and St Regis – created the 100-seat restaurant with an open kitchen and bar. It’s decorated with Spanish floor tiles, bamboo furniture and palm-print walls. Like the Ibiza branch, it blooms with real plants and bursts with light from arched windows. But at night, the lights dim as a DJ spins Ibizan beats. Dishes are served on Japanese ceramics. Small plates include salmon poké with mango and avocado; garlic prawn gyoza and signature dishes such as usuzukuri toro pa amb tomaquet. Co-founder Guallar
explains: ‘Usuzukuri toro pa amb tomaquet is inspired by traditional Spanish tomato bread. Slices of tuna belly sashimi are topped with grated tomato, olive oil and breadcrumbs. For me, this dish epitomises Meppon cuisine.’ Mains include egg-fried rice with truffle; tuna teriyaki with rice noodles and teriyaki Wagyu, cooked for 48 hours – Guallar’s favourite. Got a sweet tooth? The cocktails also balance Mediterranean and Asian ingredients, so opt for the Yuzu Lemon Pie. There’s a selection of Spanish wines and sakes, too. Even if you don’t bump into Ronaldo, Iglesias or Nadal, you might spot a familiar face – Whoopi Goldberg, former Blue singer Duncan James and Chicago star Alexandra Burke have dined here. www.melondonhotel.com
ZELA INTERIOR COURTESY OF ZELA LONDON; USAIN BOLT COURTESY
Cristiano Ronaldo, Enrique Iglesias and Rafael Nadal
From left: Ronaldo, Nadal and Iglesias This image: Zela
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