The Arts Club

Elegant Atmosphere with Superb Japanese Cuisine

What a delightful paradox it is to dine at such an august institution—the luxurious Arts Club of London—a place where ruffled feathers and poised poise coexist under one magnificent umbrella. The setting is quite simply breathtaking, an opulent kaleidoscope where sophistication meets laid-back charm beneath the comforting embrace of fine architectural splendor. It truly is the kind of establishment where you might inadvertently brush past the cultured elbow of a Bollywood star or two, mingling amidst the hush of whispered business deals. On my recent jaunt to the club, my senses were positively aroused by its earthy undertones, complete with soft lighting, commoditous lounges, and an atmosphere plump with artistic integrity.

The cuisine itself, mainly Japanese from Kyubi, offers an overture of umami bliss which few establishments can replicate, although service speed seemed at times to channel a Zen-like philosophy of timelessness that I was ill-prepared to appreciate on an empty stomach. Once plated, the dishes were sublimely aesthetic—vivid bursts of colour against minimalist china—as if daring Twitter to capture every savoury line and curve before I could. Of special note were frequent bouts with unctuous prawn cocktails which managed to flirt outrageously without ever really holding my attention hostage—a fun little flirtation with your palate if overpriced on the flirt "market." Admittedly, there were head-shaking moments aplenty: waiting 20 minutes for a drink isn’t a "James Bond Bienvenue," and having one’s nuance burnt literally to a cinder by the untamed fires of overly-heated sake can bring a grown man to heartfelt lamentations. Yet, stunning as its culinary highs and disappointing as its flickers may be, the Arts Club retains an other-worldly charm—a peculiar paradise where those perusing artful opulence dare each indulgence whispers golden secrets. — Penelope Savory