
Above an unassuming Shoreditch shop front, in a corner of the newly opened Blue Mountain School – an interdisciplinary tapestry of design stores, spaces and archives – chef Nuno Mendes and Hostem co-founder James Brown’s new jaunt, Mãos is setting tongues wagging and palates alive.
Animated by scent, colour and a bustle of chefs, the 16-seat restaurant is more bijou artists’ studio than traditional restaurant cookhouse, walled with flowers, planted beds and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Opening bites like wild turbot with seaweed sofrito and magnolia leaf are sampled in the heat of the kitchen before meandering into the the cooling, earthy oasis of the dining room, punctuated by a single, bespoke table designed by 6a Architects, and a Barra D’oro light designed by Peter Zumthor (2003) and manufactured by Viabizzuno. Everything, even down to the stainless steel window dressings, has been created for the space.
London-based 6a Architects have opted for plenty of glass between kitchen and dining room, so as to promote a genuine connection between chef and guest. A show-stopping, suspended central staircase, also surrounded by a wall of glass, leads to the rest of the concept space, including a gallery that hosts rotating exhibitions, and a wisteria-heady roof terrace with views across east London rooftops.
The team at Mãos – led by Mendes and head chef Edoardo Pellicano (previously of Portland restaurant and Viajante) – has adapted a traditional 14-course tasting menu into a progressive and off-road trek through regions and cultures cultures, with an emphasis on Portuguese and Japanese cuisine. Designed around ‘promoting connection and conviviality’, the printed menu isn't revealed until the end of the night, facilitating discussion, intrigue and conversation, that coaxes diners out of their shell, during the three-hour long dinner.
Lubricated by the choice of wines from the dedicated wine room, Brown, whose mission was to bring a community experience back to the dining room table, says: ‘I think we’ve achieved that. Conversation never stalls – we’ve even had groups who connect, and remain friends long after they’ve left.’
INFORMATION
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Enquiries can be made via the Blue Mountain School website
ADDRESS
41 Redchurch Street
London, E2 7DJ
Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.
-
The world’s best swimwear brands, according to Wallpaper*
From architectural precision to a sense of ease and luxury, our comprehensive guide to the world’s best swimwear brands – for both men and women – will help you find the perfect beach attire this summer
-
Aesop’s Queer Library bookmarks brilliant literature, no purchase required
Returning to London’s Soho, 3-6 July 2025, the Queer Library pop-up offers complimentary books by LGBTQIA+ authors and allies
-
Wangechi Mutu's powerful sculptures take over the palatial interiors of Rome's Galleria Borghese
The Kenyan-born artist is the first living woman to have a solo exhibition at the villa
-
This hidden London culinary haven is a refreshing take on the steakhouse
Mr Porter, a new steakhouse, bar and lounge in central London's swish Mayfair, is a hidden haven of strong flavours and minimalist dining
-
A European-style café opens next to London’s Saatchi Gallery
Designed by Dion & Arles, Cafe Linea serves fresh pâtisseries, global dishes and sparkling wines in a stunning Grade II-listed setting
-
Ready to unplug? Sign up for this digital detox retreat in Cornwall
Offline escape provider Unplugged has partnered with Cabilla Cornwall to offer a phone-free, nature-immersive group experience on Bodmin Moor
-
Anya Hindmarch’s Ice Cream Project is London’s tastiest (and weirdest) summer tradition
The cult pop-up has returned, transforming a Belgravia corner into a sleek, steel-clad shrine to British pantry nostalgia
-
The best bars in London for bartending greatness
From chic hotel cocktail classics to game-changing flavour combinations, our resident drinks correspondent, Neil Ridley, explores ten of the best bars in London
-
NoMad London’s new restaurant fast-tracks you to New York’s jazz age
Martin Brudnizki Design Studio conjures up old-world glamour at Twenty8 NoMad, where the menu features nearly as many martini variations as main courses
-
Italian-Japanese fusion’s a joy at east London’s Osteria Angelina
A Victorian warehouse in Spitalfields has been given a slick modern makeover to house a unique Italian-Japanese restaurant
-
This Hackney bar is reviving London’s legacy of lesbian spaces
Designed by Studio Popelo and Wet Studio, La Camionera emerges as a vital sanctuary for London’s FLINTA* community, honouring it right down to the details