After establishing itself as one of Madrid’s premier dining destinations for the past decade, Amazónico opened its second outpost in London’s famed Berkeley Square at the end of 2019, followed a few weeks later by a third site in Dubai. The 180-seater restaurant is nestled in the Mayfair location, the go-to spot for luxury dining experiences in the city.
Quickly, Amazónico London racked up fans and huge demand in the capital with a waiting list of over 1,000 people, though this momentum was paused due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions which resulted in the restaurant closing a mere four months after launch. However, the husband and wife team owners and renowned restaurateurs, Sandro Silva and Marta Seco used the downtime to make sure the restaurant met all-new safety standards and protocols and it was able to reopen in July once lockdown restrictions were slowly lifted.
I was recently able to visit the in-demand restaurant for a spot of lunch. As the name suggests Amazónico offers dishes inspired by the South and Latin American region, not just from the Amazon itself. Looking at the menu you are able to spot dishes inspired by an array of countries from Venezuela all the way in the north of the continent to Patagonia in the south. With the huge popularity in Peruvian/Japanese fusion cuisine, Amazónico also features its own dedicated sushi bar.
Staff are warm and welcoming, but it is the restaurant’s interiors that truly catch the eye; elegant and refined with touches of the Amazon but nothing tacky or over the top. The ceiling is covered in what can only be described as an art installation lighting, with an endless wave pattered material from which light almost glowed out. Greenery and glass blown chandeliers featured creating an immersive like dining experience, the work of world-renowned artist Lázaro Rosa-Violan.
Seating for my lunch visit was socially distanced and set among ultra-comfortable bespoke moss green sofas that swirled around the room, with each designated seating spot providing an intimate and private experience thanks to its cocoon-like layout.
At first glance, the menu can be a tad intimidating, but the waiter came to my rescue offering up his recommendations for the best dish combinations, and cocktails of course. Dishes are broken down into several sections and are designed to be shared, what could be considered the starters cover four distinct sections, salad and vegetables, raw and marinated, sushi and Amazónico bites.
My guest and I were recommended the guacamole con erizo, a mouth-watering selection and an elevated take on the Mexican dish, topped with sea urchin for that extra tangy kick. The dish is hand-mixed at the table by your waiter and is accompanied by green plantain crisps. Langosto acocada was another delight, juicy and perfectly cooked lobster chunks in a coconut gazpacho sauce and topped with oscietra caviar.
Venezuela was our next destination with the Amazónico take on their classic tequeños, clay oven bite-sized dough rolls with a tasty chicken filling that comes with a mint yogurt dip. We returned to the jungle with the ancas de rana; fried frog legs served with a spiced mango dressing. For those not familiar with frog, it tastes a bit like a mix between chicken and pork, a must-try. To accompany, we opted for the guaivo cocktail, a concoction of Tanqueray Gin, watermelon, guava and pomegranate, equally refreshing as it is delicious.
Main options focused on meat and seafood with accompanying sides and we went with our waiter’s recommendation opting for the merzula negra, an Argentinian inspired fish dish with Patagonian black hake with a puree of grilled eggplant and adorned with plantain crisps. Perfectly paired, the hake and eggplant ooze flavour and are nicely seasoned, very satisfying. The choclo grillado side is an absolute must, chargrilled corn on the cob, topped with queso fresco and spicy seasoning, though simple it’s fabulous, bursting with flavour, who knew corn could taste so good?
Time for another cocktail? Then go for the leche de panthera, a mix of Belvedere Vodka, rum, turmeric, coconut and pineapple, it’s even presented in an ornate pineapple-shaped glass. Sweet but not sickly, a nicely balanced and delightful option for vodka lovers.
Talking of pineapples, for dessert, the pina rostizada is a highlight. Roasted caramel glazed pineapple, which you can see cooking from the open plan kitchen, is sliced and presented on a bed of corn cake and plated with some scoops of coconut sorbet, a truly tropical experience that will keep you wanting more.
In a nutshell
Attention to detail is at the core of Amazónico. From service and setting, the menu and even down to the crockery and glasses they choose to use which beautifully showcases the food and cocktails, all help create a truly unique and elevated experience. A welcome addition to the ever-growing London foodie scene, so get a table quick, if you can!
Factbox
Address: 10 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6BR
Phone: 020 7404 5000
Website: amazonicorestaurant.com
