TreeHouse@51 invites food lovers to a bespoke experience
BY SANDEEP ARORA
The legendary cuisine, warmth and hospitality of Taj Hotels continues to wow even beyond India. The passion, presentation and creativity in cuisine are world-class and live up to global standards of fine dining.
I experienced the same over a weekend at St. James’ Court in London and was one of the first ones to enjoy and appreciate dishes from a new menu. Paired with aged blended whisky and champagne, it is surely an indulgence!
TreeHouse@51 is a relatively new dining destination in London and based at St. James’ Court, steps away from the Buckingham Palace.
The restaurant has introduced an exciting new menu to mark one year of the venue’s inception. Led by Executive Chef Sujoy Gupta, the new food menu at TreeHouse@51 draws inspiration from flavours around the world, reflecting London’s myriad culinary influences.
TH@51, as it is also known, offers a combination of the finest ingredients and an amalgamation of authentic flavours plated on a canvas. It welcomes a community of food lovers to pique their palate with a creative spin on global food, by using eclectic combinations and the finest ingredients.
The restaurant has been designed by Conran & Partners and carries a light, airy feel all across, with a stunning glass conservatory, elegant wood cladding and a soft colour palette. An open kitchen with a theatrical grill and chef’s table takes centre stage, while the striking bar area features intimate booth seating.
An amalgamation of flavours from varied cuisines creates dishes that are recognisable in their differences, the menu is truly unique. Signature dishes include the Paneer Wellington Baked Puff Pastry, Spiced Tikka Masala, Garlic, Baby Spinach, and Mascarpone Makhana that sit together with new additions to the menu such as Jerk Spiced Lamb Cannelloni with apple purée and cherry tomato confit as well as Baked Aubergine, butternut squash edamame sambal, parmesan, and pomegranate, drawing from Jamaica, Italy and Sri Lanka.
Then there’s the new mouth-watering ‘Chaat Sketches,’
a selection of dishes featuring savoury fried dough paired with vibrant and intriguing toppings, hailing originally from India.
The marriage of aromatic spices and sweet and tangy chutneys, atop a pleasingly crunchy vessel, make for a moreish explosion of flavour.
Ideal for sharing or as a starter, the signature Burrata and Kale Chaat with mint and tamarind chutney, onion, tomato salsa and crispy sev, will appear alongside dishes such as lentil sprouts avocado and pomegranate chaat, Samosa Chaat and Aloo Tikki Chaat.
The cocktail menu celebrates the planet’s diverse and often fragile ecosystems. The drinks are split into different sections, each representing the earth’s macro biomes, from the great deserts and lush forests to the vast oceans and snow-tipped mountains.
A sense of balance encompasses the menu, with each cocktail having its different but equal counterpart.
Breath of Fresh Air, for example, encapsulates the essence of the Alps where Ginepraio is enhanced with aromatic flavours of pine, gentian, juniper and Swiss herbs topped up with refreshing elderflower cider. Its other half, Camouflage, with its honey, coffee, and nutty notes evokes the earthy ruggedness of the Himalayas and consists of Belvedere vodka, coffee, cashew and lentils milk, green tea, honey and barfi cream.
During the evenings on the weekend, TH@51 transforms itself into a night-time hotspot with live music, perfect for a night out with friends or a star-studded evening with glamorous locals.
In the summer months, the restaurant opens out to the stunning outdoor courtyard; the perfect spot for alfresco dining and drinking in the heart of London. The stunning oasis is set away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with a relaxing fountain, dressed with delightful foliage and flowers sat at the focal point of the space.
Throughout the year, TH@51 plays host to a plethora of seasonal activities – from interactive festive afternoon tea to amazing Diwali menus and curated cocktails and themed parties, the calendar of events is ever-changing and packed with exciting happenings.
I am sure that one of these days the King may just drop in himself, for an early supper to partake in the pleasures of a royal feast!
