STARTER
The Red Room The Connaught LONDON
Words: Jenna Campbell Photography: © James McDonald
IN A BITE Operator: Maybourne Hotel Group Interior Design: Bryan O’Sullivan Bar Manager Oscar Angeloni Director of Mixology: Agostino Perrone Director of Wine: Daniel Manetti www.the-connaught.co.uk
032
A
secluded hideaway accessed through
include Composition #8 by California-based
a velvet-curtained doorway, The Red
photographer Trina McKillen, and Jenny
Room is The Connaught’s first new bar
Holzer’s Benghazi, a graphite and watercolour
concept in over decade, with its moniker aptly
modification of previously-censored US
describing what lies within.
government documents in a brilliant shade of
Designed by Bryan O’Sullivan – who was
red. Dominating one wall, Scarlet Mist is an
also behind the recent refurbishment of The
oil painting by Ti-a Thuy Nguyen, which was
Berkeley Bar & Terrace and The Painter’s Room
purchased at the Red Auction in Miami, all
at Claridge’s – the interiors evoke the feel of
proceeds of which go to fighting AIDS in Africa.
a collector’s living room with an eclectic mix
And hanging over the fireplace is I Am Rouge, a
of furniture, antique pendant lighting and a
chance-find in watercolour, gouache and pencil
collection of small ceramics and objects d’art
by celebrated French-American artist Louise
that will continuously evolve.
Bourgeois.
A palette of soft creams, blush pinks and pearl
At the heart of the beverage programme is an
blues sets the scene, while focal points include
impressive wine list curated by Director of Wine
a fireplace in red-veined Italian marble and a
Daniel Manetti from the hotel’s legendary cellar,
dazzling pink onyx bar complete with jewel-like
which features over 3,000 different labels and
moulded lamps. There’s also a cocooning snug
30,000 bottles. Rare vintages and first growths
in ombré scarlet affording a sense of privacy.
are served by the glass from a custom-made
Taking centre stage however is the
marble trolley, plus there’s a capsule collection
collection of red-hued works by four female
of cocktails devised by Director of Mixology
visionaries. Curated by Paddy McKillen, co-
Agostino Perrone, each inspired by the bar’s
owner of Maybourne Hotel Group, the pieces
red and white wine selection.
