Private Parts

I've never been a massive fan of private rooms. After all, what's the point of going out to a restaurant only to shut yourselves away in a claustrophobic cell that lacks the buzz of the rest of the place?

But lately it seems these exclusive spaces have taken off in a big way. New City bar and brasserie Devonshire Terrace boasts four of the blighters, complete with their own balconies, and in September the Marriot will open three of its own where you can select from Maze or Maze Grill manna.

At the swanky, Claudio Silvestrin-designed L'Anima you can dine in private from a slab of green Brazilian marble and enjoy a rather lovely water feature, not to mention the delish southern Italian delights prepared by Francesco Mazzei.

And at the equally glitzy Apsley's there are two corner rooms that can either be open to the restaurant or closed off with screens, but either way have their own lighting and music to make the experience that bit cosier.

The one I'm particularly taken with, however, is Soho House's newly opened, House Basement. Modelled on a French drawing room, its cafe au lait hues and chic antique feel is Soho House all grown up.

Now who'd have thought that would ever happen?

Devonshire Terrace - Devonshire Terrace, Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YY • 020 7256 3233
Maze & Maze Grill - The Marriot, Grosvenor Square, W1K 6JP • 020 7493 1232
L'Anima - 1 Snowden Street, EC2A 2DQ • 020 7422 7000
Apsleys - The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, SW1 7TA • 020 7259 5599
Soho House - 40 Greek Street, W1D 4EB • 020 7734 5188

by SL

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.