Dante Mayfair has opened at Claridge’s as a permanent restaurant
Due to popular demand and critical acclaim, New York institution Dante – which has been in residence at Claridge’s since last year – has now opened a permanent restaurant and bar at the hotel. Dante Mayfair, operated by legendary husband-and-wife restaurateurs Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson, brings the vibrant spirit of downtown Manhattan to the heart of Mayfair, serving its award winning, signature cocktails and beloved New York Italian-inspired menu. Founded over a century ago as a neighbourhood Italian café in Greenwich Village, Dante embodies the very essence of New York dining with impeccable cocktails and old school hospitality.
At the centre of the Dante Mayfair menu lie classic, time-honoured American favourites from the must order Shrimp Cocktail and Iceberg Wedge Salad to a New York Kale Caesar, Dante’s Smash Burger served on a silver tray and the Chicken alla Diavola with green goddess dressing. Theatrical tableside dishes include Lobster Linguine served alongside grilled half lobster and a Rib Eye on the bone with homemade accompaniments. The dessert menu includes their signature tiramisu, soft serve with s’mores and a delicious sticky toffee donut with whisky flambé. A special desert cocktail menu completes the meal including Dante classics the Grasshopper, Honey Bee, and Espresso Martini.
Cocktails take pride of place in Dante Mayfair, having been past award winners in the World’s 50 Best Bars and Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Signature drinks include The Garibaldi with Campari and their famous ‘fluffy’ orange juice, the Dante Negroni, a Fluffy Margarita Royale made with pineapple, the classic Dante Martini, and even a Caviar Martini, created using Calvisius Caviar produced in Northern Italy. There will also be a daily Martini Hour from 3-5pm with £10 martinis served on silver trays.
The Aperitivo way of life will be celebrated daily comments Linden Pride, “It’s that time of day that photographers call the magic hour, when the sun begins to set, the sky is streaked with pink and gold and friends gather over a drink …a garibaldi …a Bellini …a spritz …the world slows down and takes a break. We want to welcome regulars at this time of day and become part of the rhythm of Mayfair daily life!”
Music will play an essential role in Dante Mayfair, with live piano music and singers every afternoon and a soulful blues soundtrack from Muddy Waters and The Beatles to the Rolling Stones in the evening. Linden Pride’s grandfather was a huge influence growing up; he was a DJ and one of the first to promote The Beatles and the Rolling Stones in Australia. Music is part of Dante’s DNA, with its West Village outpost in New York honouring the area’s legendary folk and jazz heritage – a 19-year-old Bob Dylan once lived across the road. Discreetly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, a secluded terrace offers the perfect environment for al fresco drinks and light bites as we enter the summer season. Dante Mayfair also offers an art filled private dining room seating up to 14 guests, ideal for celebrations with friends and family.
Commenting on the opening of Dante Mayfair Linden Pride said, “We are so proud to call Claridge’s, and London, our new home. At Dante Mayfair, we have amped up the volume on our New York roots across design, menu, and music, aiming to bring an impish sense of fun to Davies Street. That sense of a neighbourhood that Dante created for decades in New York? Mayfair’s about to feel it!”
Claridge’s Managing Director Thomas Kochs said, “We have loved seeing the energy the team at Dante have brought to Claridge’s, and bringing the magic of Manhattan to Mayfair has truly resonated with Londoners. The goal is to make this restaurant the living room of Mayfair, a relaxed spot with great food, wonderful people and, of course, a buzzing atmosphere thanks to Dante’s signature Martini hour, and soulful live music.”
Designed by Nathalie Hudson in collaboration with Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, Dante Mayfair interiors have been given a fresh palette of green-and-blue tones, limewash finishes, gilded detailing and new botanical murals by Beth Rodway, who took inspiration from Dante’s bistro café aesthetic. Finishing flourishes include statement David Yarrow photography throughout the restaurant, celebrating the glamour of the Amalfi Coast, alongside Josef Hoffmann-inspired pendant lighting, a grand set of curtains creating a sense of arrival, and an extended bar area with sumptuous armchairs and a honky-tonk piano.
Dante Mayfair is now open seven days a week from breakfast through to dinner and is available to book here: Dante Mayfair