For Christmas gatherings, Le Nusa in Aldwych offers its elegant downstairs dining room, with a capacity of 50 people seated or 80 standing, for parties and dinners across the festive season in central London. If you haven't visited before, the restaurant's name offers a clue to its menu, coming from the Indonesian word for 'archipelago'. The restaurant uses that idea to celebrate the country’s regional flavours through a fine-dining lens.
Downstairs, you'll have the place to yourself and for party season, it really ticks all the boxes. Think deep red walls, dark timber, green upholstered seating and cane-backed chairs are layered with crystal chandeliers and graphic ceiling lights; the space is glamorous, slightly theatrical and thanks to its decadently red colour scheme, it actually has a vaguely festive feel come December.
The menu gives the evening its real point of difference. Starters might include Red Tuna Gohu which brings together sashimi grade red tuna ceviche with pickled beetroot, tomato, cucumber, shallot, lime, basil, Bird Eye chilli and coconut foam, alongside Sayur Lodeh, which is an indulgent soup of sweetcorn and coconut milk, topped with tempeh, aubergine and chayote.
For mains, the pan-fried swordfish with Indonesian sweet and spicy curry sauce sounds really special, with cayote, mushrooms and kale pan charred onion. As does the Bebek Ireng with confit duck leg, aromatic black spiced seasonal vegetables with coconut urap and sambal terasi. Vegan diners can enjoy the Nasi Goreng Jamur with fried rice, pickles, mushrooms, sambal luat and crunchy kerupuk bawang crackers.
Desserts really distinctive and delicious, too. Ketan Sarikaya pairs glutinous rice with pandan custard and cashew crumble, while Nagasari brings together banana, coconut, jackfruit and Andaliman sorbet. Gethuk centres on cassava cake with coconut ice cream, and Es Teler layers avocado, jackfruit, coconut, chia and sago with strawberry sorbet.