SimplyAbuDhabi XV

2 7 0 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I easily access all of London’s many attractions. The ground floor is dominated by the twin amphitheatres of the lobby and the highly acclaimed Berners Tavern restaurant. Many years ago, it seems that this stylish facade caught the attention of Ian Schrager when he used to walk past it to his hotel on the opposite side of the street. The building originally comprised five townhouses before it became the Berners Hotel at the turn of the 20th century, and was purchased in 2010 to be given an incredible £33 million makeover. The welcoming, relaxed, decidedly quirky atmosphere in the lobby is enhanced greatly by the addition of comfortable sofas, computer work stations, an open fire and a billiard table – all of which are watched over by an incredible original stucco ceiling and a huge stainless-steel orb by the German industrial designer Ingo Maurer, drawing your gaze upwards in wonderment. It’s a beautiful adaptation of a characterful and dynamic space; we found it managed to be charming and welcoming whilst retaining the grandiose and magnificent air of its heritage. And with a Michelin-starred chef at the helm of the Berners Tavern, we were also fully expecting it to be more than capable of offering us an astonishing and remarkable menu to match its resplendent and comfortable surroundings. Receiving a warm welcome from staff as we stepped in to the restaurant, we were instantly at ease with the comfortable and elegant space. Another beautiful high ceiling is held aloft by walls adorned to bursting point with ornately framed paintings set edge-to-edge in a visually stunning arrangement. Chandeliers and intelligently designed seating make for a regal atmosphere whilst the view into the open kitchen is both reassuring and intriguing as a contrast to the luxurious ambience of the dining area itself. We found the simple, flexible menu to be well balanced with excellent quality throughout with an array of tempting options that didn’t overwhelm or confuse.