Standing on the 32nd floor of The Shard, Oblix is the first of a few bars and restaurants to open in Western Europe’s tallest building.
Best known for his outstanding modern Japanese restaurants, Zuma and Roka, Rainer Recker’s east-meets-west 5* restaurant, Oblix, is an awe-inspiring venue with an exquisite menu and luxurious surroundings.
Situated in the glimmering landmark of The Shard, Oblix gives diners an experience like never before. With panoramic views of London’s skyline, you can witness every detail the capital has to offer. A window table is the obvious prize but the room is decorated to create a light, airy and modern atmosphere to make you feel you are literally on cloud 9.
Through the dark corridors, turn right and you find the restaurant with its fabulous open kitchen and sleek furnishings. Turn left and you’re taken to the bar where you can sit and enjoy a cocktail or two and bask in the London scenery.
The menu is New York inspired. Starters offer little that you haven’t tried before (burrata, steak tartare, aubergine caviar) but offer unusual treatment – like lobster and scallop ceviche with jalapeno, coriander and sweet pepper. And the mains –you can choose your cooking method from the rotisserie, the grill and the josper oven. Upscale ingredients are served with fruity sidekicks such as the rotisseried duck with mango, and the halibut with meyer lemon jam. The Pork belly is perhaps the best dish – the meat pink and tender, the skin nicely crisped, served with a piquant apple chutney. Becker has declared he was inspired by a classic New York grill and that’s what you get here, presided over by Fabien Beaufour of Eleven Madison Park: classily handled comfort food. Desserts consist mainly of heavenly ice-cream combinations, though the New York cheesecake is exemplary.
It states on the menu that ‘everything is for sharing’ but dishes come extra-slender with a hefty price tag so maybe keep them to yourself.
Yes it is expensive but expect to be dazzled by the impressive panorama and extraordinary dishes, and go away telling everybody about your experience at The Shard.
| Level 32, The Shard, St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY | Transport: London Bridge tube/rail |
| Telephone: +44 020 7268 6700 | Opening Hours: Lunch served 12:00-14:45 Mon-Fri; 12:00-15:15 Sat, Sun. Dinner served 18:00-23:45 daily |
| Price per head: Main courses £16 – £54 | Website |
