Idalia at Pillar Hall

Step through the barriers at Kensington Olympia station and you’re met instantly by Pillar Hall’s looming red brick facade. Previously an exhibition centre, the historic venue has hosted many famous faces over the years – Vivienne Westwood, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd to name a few – and now, following a rather expensive regeneration (it includes the word ‘billion’), former D&D boss Des Gunewardena has brought it back to life, starting with Idalia.

This spectacular restaurant is the first of many scheduled to open within the 30,000 sq ft hall, and the team have pulled out the stops for the first reveal, styling the space on what looks like an old Italian mansion. We take a seat and ogle at some of its most impressive features: gold and cream moulded ceilings, huge Corinthian columns, trailing foliage and climbing plants in every corner. But the main focal point is a circular bar in the middle of the room, with luminous orange panels that cast the space in a golden glow. This is opulence on steroids, a beacon of grandeur ensconced in stone and marble, and yet behind the look-at-me energy are flashes of warmth and playfulness.

Take the menu, which on the outset looks like modern British cooking pimped with luxurious ingredients, but actually flits across the globe in lots of clever ways. Chermoula marinated pork chops and turbot with Shichimi Togarashi butter sit side by side, while our choice - Herdwick lamb cutlets in a well-honed jus - comes with ricotta-stuffed courgette flowers for a seasonal flourish. A ball of burrata with a lovely lovage pesto feels instantly refreshed, and the bread basket is worth ordering just for the focaccia, arriving in a plume of good olive oil and rosemary.

To finish, tiramisu gets a theatrical upgrade. This one is served in a teacup, with a thin chocolate disk and a canopy of faux flowers, plus a thick chocolate sauce served from a post box-red mocha pot.

A meal at Idalia starts and ends with spectacle, but behind the ‘gram-worthy theatrics is a restaurant with real creativity at its heart. It’s not a casual spot, but for special occasion dining, we’d send you here in a heartbeat.

Idalia is a modern British restaurant located on the ground floor of the Grade II listed Pillar Hall building within the Olympia complex in West London. Open throughout the day, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, offering a relaxed space for everything from morning coffee meetings to evening dining with friends, family or colleagues.

Inside, the dining room blends historic architecture with contemporary design. High ceilings and original pillars reflect the building’s heritage, while the large open space is softened by warm lighting, greenery and a central bar that acts as a focal point for the room. The result is an elegant dining room suited to both daytime dining and lively evening meals, with occasional live soul and jazz evenings adding to the atmosphere.

The kitchen is led by chefs Samantha Williams and Lorena Tommasi, who focus on seasonal dishes made with produce sourced from British suppliers. The menus combine classic ingredients with European influences, while the wine list highlights English wineries alongside a broader international selection. The a la carte menu begins with starters such as burrata with pesto and broad beans, classic steak tartare and a seasonal soup of nettle, spinach and wild garlic. From the seafood bar, diners can order oysters, razor clams and prawns, or opt for a seafood tower featuring lobster and shellfish for sharing.

Main courses include lobster linguine, wild salmon with saffron and a marinated pork chop served with fennel, apple and pickled red onion. Herb-crusted lamb cutlet with courgette flowers is another highlight, while the charcoal grill offers heartier options including Wagyu burgers, ribeye steak, beef fillet and porterhouse cooked over hot coals. Sides such as chunky chips and Jersey Royal potatoes with mint butter accompany the main dishes, while desserts include tiramisu, apple crumble and Eton mess. Aperitifs, champagne and English sparkling wines feature prominently on the drinks list.