EMC3 was taken on a Marc Restaurant FAM Trip

UMU
Our first stop was to Umu, one of Mayfair’s hidden gems (literally, took us a while to work out the entrance and see their very cool “touch here to enter”) which its doors opened into this beautiful restaurant. Umu which, in Japanese, means ‘born of nature’ is London’s first Kyoto influenced restaurant opened at 14-16 Bruton Place, Mayfair on the 1st September 2004. Umu serves timeless Japanese cuisine (keeping in mind the traditional Japanese restaurant goer and the contemporary Japanese food lover) by their Executive Chef, Yoshinori Ishii who brings nearly twenty years of cooking experience to the elegant dishes Umu is famed for and saw them win their Michelin star just 5 month after opening. True Kyoto food is based around the core elements of water, vegetables and fish and Yoshinori uses both traditional Japanese produce, as well as locally sourced ingredients to create inventive Kyoto influenced cuisine, that you will not experience anywhere else. There is also an a la carte menu allowing guests to select the dishes of their choice. Umu can seat up to 64 people, 38 in the main restaurant, 10 at their Sushi table (where they also do Sushi master classes), 12 at the sake table and 4 at the cellar table. The sake table and cellar table can be cornered off if you are looking for a semi private area. They also have extensive wine selection and a sommelier that will be there to recommend a complimenting wine for your food.

UMU

The Greenhouse

Morton's Cocktails



Morton's Bar

 The Greenhouse

Based in the ever popular area of Mayfair and not too far from the bustling Berkley Square, The Greenhouse continues to win the praise of food critics, gourmets and one of the hottest destination for wine lovers alike – It’s held the prestigious Wine Spectator’s Grand Award every year since 2005, which is an award for one of the greatest wine lists in the world and has held its Michelin star status since 2004.

Morton's Starter - Scallops

Morton's Main - Pigeon

Morton's Dessert

The Greenhouse serves contemporary European food in a chic and sophisticated setting. The restaurant is approached through a serene landscaped garden decorated with stone artworks by British sculptor Emily Young. Elements of the garden are carried into the restaurant with specially commissioned miniature sculptures on each table, as well as the use of natural materials such as slate, marble and wood. These are offset by the choice of fresh green colours for the walls and furniture. With such a focus on excellence, it is little wonder that The Greenhouse rivals its competitors as one of London’s finest dining experiences and has a great private dining room for a more intimate meal or meeting if required.

Another bonus with this restaurant the walls are actual doors which can be opened making it a light and breezy venue with one side overlooking the sculpted garden.

Morton’s Club

We then went our final Venue, Morton’s Private Members Club on Berkley Square. This is an impressive Grade 11 listed building which combines its Georgian heritage and contemporary art work to create 4 different styled floors for its members. This means you can choose from dancing the night away in their Night Lounge to fantastic cocktails or tea in their Bar to having a private meal in the Club Room which can seat up to 48 guests or 70 people for a standing canapé and drinks reception or sit and enjoy the most delectable and memorable dining experience in their Restaurant which can seat up to 60 guests or 90 people for canapés and drinks reception with the use of a fantastic terrace for those summer days. My team and I were very fortunate to experience Morton’s fantastic hospitality first hand, started off by a couple of tantalising cocktails and bar snack where we were then taken up to the restaurant where we were seated in the corner near the window overlooking Berkley Square and treated to a choice of very different canapés which included an interesting beetroot marshmallow (a must try if you are the adventurous type), starters of duck fois gras, veal and scallops followed by mouth-watering main courses of rack of lamb, duck and pigeon which was incredibly tasty. Finally us sweet tooth’s were served the most amazing deserts that just melted in your mouth and for the more savoury tooth’s a cheese board to die for. Each meal was had with a complimenting wine chosen by their Head Sommelier. A truly memorable A Class experience of elegance, sophistication and exceptional service. You definitely won’t be disappointed.


They also have another really great restaurant that is different from the Mayfair restaurants but still in a buzzing location of South Kensington:

Cassis Bistro

With its accent on the Provençale cuisines of Southern France, Cassis Bistro opened its doors in the Brompton road on 25th November 2010. Cassis Bistro brings something completely new to London’s restaurant scene serving the finest Provençal food in a relaxed and modern setting. The restaurant can accommodate up to 90 people, including a bar area for 10 and additional al fresco seating. Designed by Tara Bernerd of Target Living the restaurant’s stylish decor, with its modern art displays on the walls, reflects the sophisticated, contemporary lifestyle of the customers it has been created to attract and the Head Chef David Escobar has used the finest seasonal ingredients to create an innovative menu that brings the heart of Provence to the streets of London.

If you would like to experience any of these amazing restaurants and be taken on a culinary journey please contact us or email mo@emc3.eu for bookings and event enquiries.

Written by Mo McKinlay, Events & Concierge