Ellen Kensington has announced the opening of Lacquer Room, an exquisite pan-Asian dining destination, with Singapore’s star chef Eugene Lam at the Helm. The restaurant, located at 18-26 Barkston Gardens, Kensington, has 123 covers, an elegant private outdoor terrace, a private dining room and immersive countertop dining experiences.
The Lacquer Room celebrates diverse, expertly paired flavours which draw inspiration from Asia’s rich culinary heritage. Its menu has been meticulously crafted by Executive Chef Eugene Lam, who is well-known for his expertise in Japanese and Asian cuisine.
The menu sees Chef Eugene combining his skills and expertise in Japanese dining with his love of Singaporean food, alongside a liberal sprinkling of inspiration from his favourite Asian dishes.
To commence, starters include Asari Clams, fresh Manila clams with sake and butter; Chicken Karaage, juicy Japanese-style fried chicken; Salmon Carpaccio, with yuzu ponzu jelly and salmon roe; Chawanmushi with Ikura, silky steamed egg custard topped with salmon roe.
For a convivial dining experience, Chef Eugene suggests sharing main dishes such as Tonkatsu Shabu Shabu, Pork belly with napa cabbage, shiitake, leek, carrots, tofu, and glass noodles; Wagyu Sukiyaki, premium wagyu beef with vegetables, tofu, and fresh egg yolk dips; Fried Oyster Roll, crispy oysters wrapped in sushi rice and nori.
Individual mains not to be missed are the Gindara Saikyo Yaki, 24-hour miso-marinated black cod; Lobster Laksa with rice noodles; Roti Canai, Indian flatbread served with a flavourful chicken curry; and A5 Wagyu Beef Sando, a Japanese wagyu beef sandwich with crispy fries.
To finish, guests may choose from Mochi filled with green tea, black sesame, mango, or vanilla ice cream, Sweet Red Bean with Ice Cream, crispy golden Banana Fritters drizzled with honey and served with ice cream, and Sorbet.
The private dining room, with seating for up to 20 guests, is a light and airy space with its own private terrace, ideal for intimate get-togethers. The restaurant is also complemented by Ellen Bar, a cocktail bar with its own separate, private terrace that welcomes cigar smokers. Signature cocktails include The Ellen, Singapore Sling, Piña Colada, and more.
True to the ethos of Ellen Kensington, the interiors of the Lacquer Room reflect Chinoiserie touches beautifully juxtaposed with classic English design elements.
Ellen Kensington itself spans five interconnected Victorian townhouses overlooking the historic Barkston Gardens. This English heritage charm is complemented by the Asian heritage of its ownership group, KOP Limited. In addition to the distinctive pan-Asian menu, the service embraces the Asian philosophy of hospitality, where every guest is treated as a VIP.
The Lacquer Room’s opening coincides with the launch of the Ellen Bar, a drinks destination with a private terrace. The location offers easy access to London’s iconic landmarks and cultural institutions, including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Royal Albert Hall.
All are just a two-minute walk from Earl’s Court underground station; the hotel, restaurant, and bar are well-connected by road links (A4/M4) and offer convenient access to Heathrow Airport.