The new B&H Garden Room bar and restaurant

It’s been three months since Bourne & Hollingsworth opened its rooftop restaurant and bar in the heart of the West End. It’s been a hit with Londoners and tourists alike who adore the panoramic views and oh-so-stylish interiors. Seasonal ingredients, delicious dishes and signature cocktails are the order of the day at B&H’s Garden Room…

Back in November the creative dining brand that is Bourne & Hollingsworth opened the doors to their new rooftop bar and restaurant. A spectacular venue indeed, the aptly named B&H Garden Room has floor to ceiling windows that frame the room and a sophisticated jungle of plants that adorn the ceilings, ledges and corners. Built on the very highest floor of the Assembly Hotel, it’s ideally located near popular areas like Covent Garden and Soho, offering breath-taking views of the bustling city below.

B&H Garden Room is Bourne & Hollingsworth’s fourth venture alongside B&H Buildings, Bourne & Hollingsworth Bar and Reverend J W Simpson. Renowned for their main clubhouse based off Exmouth Market, they fully understand that no two events are the same and offer seven distinct venues that cater for a range of different occasions, including a private dining room, informal café and hidden basement club.  

Much to the excitement of B&H’s social media followers the new restaurant was announced in October and it has quickly become the go-to place for bottomless brunches, exciting events and sumptuous suppers. The experience begins from the moment you step into the hotel with a strip of purple neon lights that lead you to a dark, futuristic lobby with a lift that takes you up into a botanical rooftop haven.  

Bringing the outside in

The restaurant’s creative team went for a ‘paired back, classic interior’ but the perfect proportions and quirky details make it an Instagrammer’s dream, combining modern Hispanic prints with whitewashed floors and wicker furniture.

Capturing the impression of an abandoned country house, where the garden and state rooms have slowly grown into one another and gone to seed, the restaurant mixes soft furnishings and armchairs with cane garden furniture and wrought iron benches. – B&H Garden Room

Contrasting with the expansive views of the concrete city beyond, the interior is bedecked with leafy foliage; trailing creepers and hanging baskets galore.

Echoing the original purpose of a traditional garden room or orangery, pretty citrus trees are arranged in containers among the tables, heavy with ripe oranges and lemons. The star of the show has to be the living window box which circulates the entire balcony with herbs and meadow plants.  

Quality, seasonal food

Having trained with some of the best British chefs including Gary Rhodes at his Michelin-starred restaurant Rhodes 24, Head Chef Anthony Horn has years of experience under his belt. The brasserie style a-la-carte menu is inspired by classic European cuisine, cooked from the finest heritage ingredients. Sharing mezze platters are perfectly suited to accompany after-work drinks and evening diners can enjoy dishes such as jackfruit chilli, beautifully slow-cooked lamb with prunes, chilli and coriander or fresh cod with braised puy lentils.

This is not just an evening affair however, the kitchen provides exceptional food all through the day. To satisfy early risers breakfast includes pastries, fruit, Eggs Florentine or crushed avocado and roast tomato on sourdough bread. Brunch is also a big hit with the chefs plating up the very best vegan waffles served with blueberries and coconut for customers to eat in the morning sunshine. For something a little less sweet, tasty Huevos Benedictos make lazy Sundays feel like a special treat.

Complete dedication is given to cooking with fresh, seasonal food at B&H Garden Room. The menus change through the year with vibrant salads and BBQ’s in the summer and hearty warming dishes served in the autumn and winter.

Anthony makes sure that all ingredients come from carefully selected suppliers who are chosen for their fine, quality produce, such as Aubrey Allen who provide to The Savoy, Raymond Blanc and Heston Blumenthal.

Garden room cocktails

The signature cocktails are a real crowd pleaser with their unique and modern flavours. Created by the group’s cocktail maestro Jim Wrigley, the drinks include the same herbs that are used in the food dishes so your drink will perfectly complement your meal.

For your Valentine’s date, enjoy an indulgent evening while you watch the sun go down with February’s cocktail of the month in hand. Specially featured for the month of romance, Wings of Desire is a tantalising pink tipple made from a blend of vermouth, fresh raspberries, homemade rooibos, clove syrup and Peychaud’s Bitter served with a touch of absinthe and topped up with champagne.

If this brand new restaurant is still on your bucket list and you’re eager to try it out, then visit the website for booking and event information. 10th floor, above Assembly Hotel, 31 Charing Cross Road, Covent Garden, WC2H 0LS. www.bandhgardenroom.com