‘Mimosa was born of the realisation that we all like to travel and have fun,’ says Dorothée Delaye, interior designer of the new restaurant at The Langham hotel, London.
‘The design of Mimosa is a tribute to the French Riviera: its elegance, its light, its marine woodwork, and its iodised air. We wanted to create a universe that was sunny, warm and not ostentatious,’ continues Delaye, who has succeeded in anchoring the restaurant’s French heritage with a modern twist within one of London’s most storied buildings.
Mimosa opens at The Langham
The new Mimosa is a sister restaurant to its namesake at the Hotel de La Marine in Paris, and continues its Riviera cuisine theme, adapted to the location.
‘Considering Mimosa Paris’ success on Place de la Concorde, the idea [in London] was to find the same strong markers for a trip to the Riviera. However, given the very different layout of the site, Mimosa at The Langham has nothing in common with the Paris [location, despite] its similar colour codes, such as the bright mahogany of the woodwork and furnishings, the warm tones of terracotta and the golden yellow of the fabrics,’ Delaye tells Wallpaper*.
For Delaye – whose interior design portfolio includes numerous hotels, restaurants and the redesign of Coco Chanel’s apartment at the Hôtel Sookie in the Marais – the most challenging part of designing Mimosa was ‘to breathe new life into a historic and iconic venue’.
Her idea was for guests to indulge in a journey to the Mediterranean, both on the plate and in the decor, and enjoy an interlude on the French Riviera for a spot of lunch or dinner. A fresco sets the scene as guests arrive. ‘It was designed by a French designer who was asked to celebrate the flora and fauna of La Riviera: seaweed, octopus and other marine and terrestrial creatures,’ says Delaye.
The colour palette was carefully selected; the pink patina of the walls, and blue ceramic wall lights with coral motifs evoke the sun-kissed hues of a coastal town. Touches such as palm chandeliers and rattan elements tightrope between the colloquial and the sophisticated. The central fig tree captures the vibrant energy of the south of France, while furnishings recall 1960s glamour.
The menu incudes whole sea bass baked in a salt crust with a warm ‘Cote d’Azur’ style potato salad; a Riveria-style spit-roast coquelet accompanied by thyme and confit lemon; a gratinated taglioni with bechamel, white ham and Reggiano Parmesan; and salade niçoise – all evoking Mediterranean sunshine.
-
Good grief, Charlie Brown! Why are watch brands so obsessed with Peanuts?It’s 75 years since Charles Schultz first published his Peanuts comic strip, and there are still new Snoopy watches launching yearly. The question is, why?
-
Experience the profound power of the Brumadinho Memorial, honouring the victims of Brazil’s mining tragedyA deeply moving memorial by Gustavo Penna creates a space for collective mourning and remembrance in Brumadiño, Brazil
-
Shoreline Bespoke proposes a stunning new lightweight supercarCalifornian start-up Shoreline Bespoke believes its LM Coupe recaptures the spirit of 60s sports cars
-
At this east London listening bar, mezcal-fuelled cocktails hit as hard as the basslinesIn Bethnal Green, Little Fires pairs vinyl grooves with mezcal margaritas and Oaxacan sharing plates
-
Harry Nuriev’s Noisy Oyster London bistro isn’t quite finished – and that’s the pointA futuristic, work-in-progress aesthetic forms a striking backdrop for a new, sustainably focused seafood bistro in Shoreditch
-
Head to Lupa for a taste of Rome in the heart of HighburyEd Templeton, Theo James and Naz Hassan unveil an intimate 28-seat restaurant that balances a cosy, candlelit atmosphere with Roman-style dining
-
Underground grooves and a touch of ‘controlled chaos’ make this exciting Japanese-inspired restaurant one to bookMoi, a new subterranean hotspot in London, is a feast for the senses
-
Café Kitsuné doubles down on London with a new locationCafé Kitsuné continues its global expansion with a bijou two-floor venue in Covent Garden that prioritises both craft and flavour
-
You can live out your Gatsby dreams, thanks to Claridge’s new Jazz Age-themed sleepoverCheck in for the legendary hotel's Bright Young Things Sleepover — Shalimar perfume included
-
Do luxury hotels need a farmer-in-residence?From Ibiza to Indonesia, hospitality brands are cultivating a new travel experience, where wellness begins in the soil and ends at the table
-
An exclusive look inside Cafe Murano Marylebone, Angela Hartnett’s latest culinary outpostCafe Murano Marylebone offers an intimate and homely atmosphere for Italian breakfasts, lunches and dinners
