The legendary cuisine, warmth & hospitality of The Taj Hotels, continues to wow even beyond India ! The passion, presentation & creativity in cuisine, is world class & lives up to global standards of fine dining. I experienced the same over the weekend at St. James Court in London & was one of the first ones to enjoy & appreciate dishes from a new menu. Paired with Aged Blended Whisky & Champagne, it is surely an indulgence !
The TreeHouse@51 is a relatively new dining destination in London and based at the St. James Court, steps away from the Buckingam Palace
TreeHouse@51 has introduced an exciting new Menu to mark one year of the venue’s inception. Led by Executive Chef Sujoy Gupta, the new food menu at TreeHouse@51 draws inspiration from flavours around the world, reflecting London’s myriad culinary influences. Treehouse@51 offers a combination of the finest ingredients and amalgamation of authentic flavours, of the two countries, plated in a canvas. TH@51 welcomes a community of food lovers to pique their palate with a creative spin on global food, by using eclectic combinations and the finest ingredients. Located within Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, a luxury 5-star hotel located in central London just footsteps from Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Park.
Even though February is a relatively quite time, the hotel was all dressed up & fresh, with high standards of hospitality. The cold weather withered away as one entered the warm interiors of the hotel.
Coming back to Th@51, it has been designed by Conran & Partners & carries a light airy feel all across, with a stunning glass conservatory, elegant wood cladding and a soft colour palette. An open kitchen with a theatrical grill and chef’s table takes centre stage, while the striking bar area features intimate booth seating.
An amalgamation of flavours from varied cuisines to create dishes that are recognisable in their differences, the menu is truly unique. Signature dishes include the Paneer Wellington baked puff pastry, spiced tikka masala, garlic, baby spinach, mascarpone makhana that sit together with new additions to the menu such as Jerk Spiced Lamb Cannelloni with apple purée and cherry tomato confit as well as Baked Aubergine, butternut squash edamame sambal, parmesan, and pomegranate, drawing from Jamaica, Italy and Sri Lanka.
The new mouth-watering ‘Chaat Sketches’; a selection of dishes featuring savoury fried dough paired with vibrant and intriguing toppings, hailing originally from India. The marriage of aromatic spices and sweet and tangy chutneys, atop a pleasingly crunchy vessel, make for a moreish explosion of flavour. Ideal for sharing or as a starter, the signature Burrata and Kale Chaat with mint and tamarind chutney, onion, tomato salsa and crispy sev, will appear alongside dishes such as Lentil sprouts avocado & pomegranate chaat, Samosa Chaat and Aloo Tikki Chaat. New additions to the menu include Jerk Spiced Lamb Cannelloni with apple purée and cherry tomato confit as well as Baked Aubergine, butternut squash edamame sambal, parmesan and pomegranate, drawing from Jamaica, Italy and Sri Lanka.
The culinary team is led by Executive Head Chef Sujoy Gupta, who joined Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences and St James’ Court – A Taj Hotel at the time of the launch of TH@51 and the London Chambers, after spending eight years at the kitchen’s helm of both the Taj Bengal Kolkata and Taj Umaid Bawan Palace.
Ms. Mehrnavaz Avari, Area Director, The Taj Hotels, UK and Chef Sujoy Gupta, have ensured that the Taj Hotel in London, is a fine showcase of Indian hospitality. The restaurant, TreeHouse@51 carries a light airy feel throughout with a stunning glass dining room, elegant wood cladding and a soft colour palette. An open kitchen with a theatrical grill and chef’s table takes centre stage, while the striking bar area features intimate booth seating.
The cocktail menu celebrates our planet’s diverse and often fragile ecosystems. The drinks are split into different sections, each representing the earth’s macro biomes, from the great deserts and lush forests, to the vast oceans and snow-tipped mountains. A sense of balance encompasses the menu, with each cocktail having its different but equal counterpart.
Breath of Fresh Air, for example, encapsulates the essence of the Alps where Ginepraio is enhanced with aromatic flavours of pine, gentian, juniper and swiss herbs topped up with refreshing elderflower cider. Its other half, Camouflage, with its honey, coffee, and nutty notes evokes the earthy ruggedness of the Himalayas and consists of Belvedere vodka, coffee, cashew & lentils milk, green tea, honey and barfi cream. Elsewhere on the bar menu, the desert is reflected in Shay al-wahah, where North African flavours of mint, date honey and homemade fermented lemon teleport guests to a spice market on the edge of the Sahara and El Camino, named after the infamous desert path which joins the US and Mexico, features tequila smoked in-house with mesquite, with thirst quenching grapefruit, pineapple tapache and indigenous Mexican ingredients, tamarillo and agave.
By using ingredients found in each delicate ecosystem, the TH@51 bar team adapt and create flavours from key products to illustrate the story behind each drink. In-house experimentations including fat washing, cold infusions and decoction take place in the cocktail lab, a small area designated specifically for mise en place, where components such as seasonal wine is fermented and used across the drinks list. The cocktails pair beautifully with substantial bar bites completing the bar experience.
During the evenings at the weekend TH@51 transforms itself into a night-time hotspot with live music, perfect for a night out with friends or a star-studded evening with glamorous locals.
In the summer months TH@51 opens out to the stunning outdoor courtyard; the perfect spot for alfresco dining and drinking in the heart of London. The stunning oasis is set away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with a relaxing fountain, dressed with delightful foliage and flowers, sat at the focal point of the space.
An array of delicious plates adorn the menu, featuring summer salads, robata grill options and ‘between the breads’ choices. Also, available on the menu are a selection of refreshing flavoured Gin & Tonics as well as a plethora of wine, beers, and expertly shaken cocktails.
Throughout the year, TH@51 plays host to a plethora of seasonal activities; from interactive festive afternoon tea to amazing Diwali menus and curated cocktails and themed parties, the calendar of events is ever changing and packed with exciting happenings.
I am sure that one of these days the King may just drop in himself, for an early supper to partake the pleasures of a Royal feast !
The menu that I experienced included
1st
TOGARASHI TUNA
Seared tuna, wasabi samphire, pickled ginger, dragon fruit carpaccio, ponzu dressing
(Gluten free, Seafood, seasame, sulphites)
Or
GOI CON
Rice paper wraps, Thai raw mango, red cabbage coleslaw, mint chutney, passionfruit mayo dip
(Egg, sulphites)
2nd
BURRATA & KALE CHAT
Fried kale, Italian burrata, mint & tamarind chutney, onion & tomato salsa, crispy sev
(Lactose, Gluten, Sulphites)
LENTIL SPROUTS, AVOCADO & POMEGRANATE CHAT
Fresh lentil sprouts chat, avocado & pomegranate
(Vegan, Sulphites)
3rd
SUMAC GARLIC PRAWNS
Crispy prawns, beetroot tzatziki
(Seafood, crustaceans, Gluten, sulphites)
Or
ASPARAGUS, ROASTED ALMOND
Roasted butternut squash labneh
(Vegan, Nuts, lactose,sulphites)
4th
TRUFFLE BUTTER SQUASH, ALMOND SILVERS
za`tar crouton.
(Gluten, nuts,Sulphites)
5th
DUCK LEG ROAST
Indian inspired spiced onion, asian chilli risotto, poached egg
Flavour pairings from India & Italian
(Lactose, Mustard, Egg, sulphites)
Or
TREE HOUSE MUSHROOMS
Spiced curried scrambled tofu, stuffed portobello, five beans & basil stew, alfa alfa
Flavour pairings from France & Srilanka
(Vegan, Sulphites)
6th
JERK SPICED LAMB CANNELONI
Apple puree, cherry tomato confit, gratinated
Flavour pairings from Jamaican & Italian
(Lactose, Gluten, Sulphites)
Or
PANEER WELLINGTON
Mascaporne makhani, garlic spinach
Flavour pairings from India & Britain
(Gluten, Lactose, Sulphites)
7th
CHOCOLATE SURPRISE
Three textures of chocolate – mousse, crumble, and sponge, salted caramel ice cream
(Lactose, Nuts, Sulphites)
Or
BERRYLICIOUS PIE
Strawberry ice cream
(Lactose, Egg, Nuts, Gluten, Sulphites)
8th
CAFE
