London hotel Taj 51 Buckingham Gate opens Kona restaurant
A new restaurant named Kona has launched at the London hotel the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences.
The 46-cover restaurant has been unveiled as part of the 86-suite hotel's recent renovations, and offers a menu of southern European food inspired by the Cote d'Azur and the Italian Ligurian coast. Open for breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner, it features a morning "Benedict Bar", plus a bar menu offering Champagnes and wine.
Typical dishes will include lobster bisque with Dorset crab and radish, foie gras brioche with damson plum and marcona almonds, Gloucestershire old spot pork belly with spelt and rosemary crumb.
There will also be a selection of vegetarian and gluten-free salads, soups and main courses, such as chickpea panisse with red pepper, yoghurt and baby aubergines, or king oyster mushroom with cauliflower couscous, apple and red chilli.
The restaurant's décor has been designed to create an elegant yet homely Victorian townhouse feel, with luxurious fabrics and modern design, plus a separate library room with a fireplace, sofas and armchairs.
Kona joins the hotel's other restaurants, such as Quilon, and Bank, as well as its Zander bar. The hotel also has an outdoor eating and drinking space, the St. James' Courtyard.
Executive chef David Tilly, who has worked for the Taj Group since 2007, said: "We are proud to launch Kona during such an exciting time for the London food scene. Our mission is to present guests with uncomplicated dishes, which allow for locally sourced ingredients to take centre stage."
Digvijay Singh, general manager at the hotel, added: "Kona is set to become a haven from the hustle and bustle of Victoria and St. James."