By Angela Green
Restaurant News is sponsored by Newbridge Software
October will see Harrods impressive Grade II listed Dining Hall welcome four highly anticipated new chefs and cuisines, highlighting Harrods continuing emphasis on creating an evening dining destination that attracts top international culinary specialists to showcase their individual talents. Diners will also be able to enjoy a line-up of live music and a curated cocktail portfolio designed to complement each menu found within The Dining Hall.
A key addition to The Dining Hall’s new gastronomic portfolio will be Sushi by MASA, which will present an ‘omakase’ experience from acclaimed Michelin three-starred Chef Masayoshi (‘Masa’) Takayama (MASA, Bar MASA, Kappo Masa, all in New York City). Chef Masa is recognised as ‘the father of omakase dining in the USA’, and this launch at Harrods represents his first international restaurant. Sushi by MASA will be positioned as the centre-piece of The Dining Hall with 40 seats at an impressive oval counter. Chef Masa’s signature sushi and hot dishes will be featured on both the omakase and à la carte menus, alongside an innovative cocktail menu, sake and Japanese spirits collection, with an impressive whisky selection and a prestige wine list.
Chef Masa says: “We could not imagine a better partner for our first restaurant outside the United States and are honoured to collaborate with Harrods. At Sushi by MASA, we look forward to welcoming guests and introducing them to a unique omakase dining experience rooted in exceptional ingredients and thoughtful excellence.”
Additionally, the sensational Kinoya Ramen Bar joins The Dining Hall from Dubai where chef Neha Mishra will bring her ramen-focused concept to London, following phenomenal success in Dubai. Kinoya was rated #7 in the Middle East & Africa 50 Best Restaurants 2023, and was also awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023. What started as a supper club at home in Dubai led to a restaurant site two years ago, and a devoted customer following for her distinctive ramen with strong flavours and a concerted sustainability ethos. Signature dishes will include Shio paitan (duck ramen), Wagyu tsukune, Yakitori, and a Tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen which is available exclusively at Harrods. Neha is keen to focus on authentic everyday Japanese dishes with a resolute ‘nose to tail’ ingredient and cooking approach.
Chef Neha Mishra comments: “Kinoya is very excited to bring its ramen focused concept to Harrods. We feel that our offering of process-led, ingredient-focused ramen, with its unique flavour profiles is a strong addition to London’s ramen scene. There will be a bowl for all palates – a variety ranging from our signature Shio paitan, a unique duck ramen. to a new tonkotsu ramen, the latter only being available in our Harrods restaurant. Kinoya is also a firm believer in incorporating ‘nose to tail’ principles in the majority of our bowls, ensuring a more sustainable culinary culture.”
Assembly Mezze & Skewers will bring celebrated Greek-born (and raised in Canada) chef Athanasios Kargatzidis (fondly known as ‘Chef Tommy’) to The Dining Hall with a mezze offering in a 25-seat space. His hugely popular restaurant Baron Beirut is one of Lebanon’s most successful establishments (top rated in 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & Africa), and he also owns à la grecque in Dubai, offering traditional Greek dishes, and Costa Fria, in the coastal town of Ericeira, Portugal. Assembly Mezze & Skewers focuses on grill and flame cookery. Celebrating authentic eastern Mediterranean dishes and taking inspiration from Levantine flavours, Assembly’s menu is designed to share and diners can create their own plates from a selection of luxury dishes and ingredients.
Chef Tommy says: “I fell in love with food at an early age and have been cooking, researching and studying my way across the world ever since. This journey now brings me to London where introducing Assembly into one of the most iconic landmarks in the city is beyond exciting. I’m delighted to create a menu that offers a unique experience for guests and truly showcases Eastern Mediterranean cuisine in all its excellence. What better place to do this than the Harrods Dining Hall? Being part of the Dining Hall’s wonderful transition to a destination for entertainment, surrounded by world-class chefs, is an outstanding triumph.”
Fresh artisan pasta, and the stories behind it, is what drives the team from Pasta Evangelists. Their 28-seat pasta bar in The Dining Hall has been a ‘go-to’ destination since the Hall’s launch, and they are now collaborating with Giancarlo Perbellini, the Michelin two-starred chef behind Casa Perbellini in Verona. Pasta Evangelists by Perbellini will offer antipasti (from Baby octopus bruschetta to Burrata with charred nectarines), myriad pasta dishes (Rigatoni ‘cacio e pepe’ is a classic favourite), while the Tiramisù and Crème brûlée are both dessert highlights.
Chef Giancarlo Perbellini shares: “I am delighted to announce my partnership with Pasta Evangelists as we launch the Pasta Evangelists by Perbellini pasta bar in the iconic Harrods Dining Hall, where we will be serving some of the world’s finest fresh pasta. Our menu will feature dishes that I have designed in collaboration with Pasta Evangelists’ resident chefs in Harrods, featuring innovative and seasonal ingredients from my native Veneto and beyond.”
With a Michelin pedigree (at The Hand & Flowers and The Coach, both in Marlow), celebrity and TV chef Tom Kerridge knows and loves fish and chips, and The Dining Hall stalwart 22-seat Tom Kerridge’s Fish & Chips delivers the best. Tom’s team source the finest ethically-caught fish and seafood available for the diverse seasonal menu. Triple-cooked chips then enhance each dish, whether with Tom’s homemade Matson sauce or luxed-up and accompanied by caviar or lobster thermidor. And the deep-fried cockle popcorn has become an Instagram sensation.
Chef Tom Kerridge says: “Harrods Dining Hall is an iconic destination for foodies from all over the world and we are excited to be on this culinary journey, serving the best fish and chips we can. Only the finest day-boat caught fish from the coast of Cornwall is on the menu and it’s prepared by a skilled team of chefs with dedication and passion.”
Straight from Harrods butchers, The Grill’s menu is a definite meat-lovers destination. Every cut is hand-picked from the finest producers and cooked to order on a charcoal grill. From native-bred dry-aged beef to fillet of Japanese Kobe, USDA Creekstone ribeye or Australian sirloin, the meat is always the best of the best. Rôtisserie chicken is also a clear winner, and the Truffle mac’n’cheese is an indulgent side not to be missed. The 56-seat space is ideal for both individuals and small groups with a mix of counter and table seating.
Ashley Saxton, Director, Restaurants and Kitchens at Harrods comments: “This new evolution of the Dining Hall, one of the most iconic spaces within Harrods, will introduce an array of phenomenal new restaurants for guests to enjoy alongside exceptional cocktails, as well as live music and entertainment. Providing a truly unique dining experience for an evening out, this is the next step to support our vision of building Harrods as a leading late night dining destination in London.”
The Dining Hall is set to also become a destination for cocktail devotees with mixologists taking inspiration from the chefs to create bespoke cocktail offerings to complement each menu. Live music will entertain diners every evening from Tuesday to Saturday with a programme of jazz, soul, Motown and R&B.
The Dining Hall will reopen in October and reservations can now be made for the 7th October onwards here.
Opening hours:
- Monday: 11.30am – 9pm
- Tuesday – Saturday: 11.30am – 10.30pm
- Sunday: 11.30am – 6pm
Limited places will be available for walk-ins.
Restaurant News is sponsored by Newbridge Software
