Pret A Diner at Royal Academy of Arts

Hurry up ! There is only 12 days left to live the Pret A Diner experience!

"This is not a pop-up restaurant. This is a social experience, brought to you by urban nomads, popping up where it happens. To create a fusion of the arts - surprising cuisine, masterly mixology, contemporary arts & music." - Pret A Diner

They have been active since 2005 and from then this experience has been travelling mostly around Europe but also to New York.

Unlike what they state, this IS a pop-up restaurant. Maybe the difference is that they try to find privileged and special places to it. Right now it is based in The Royal Academy of Arts in London and let be honest, how incredible is that? I love the atmosphere of this old magnificent building and I found it very appealing that Pret A Diner is taking place behind those walls.

Certainly because Pret A Diner built an incredible mix of old vintage furniture, which fits perfectly in this old building, and industrial feel thanks to the scaffolding erect in the dining area. The architecture of the Royal Academy and the industrial scaffolding mix unbelievably well creating a cosy atmosphere where you can admire the ceiling details framed by the metallic tubes of the scaffolding.

But the best part is that in between all this metal mess is the kitchen. The dining experience take place directly around the cooks and this allows to observe how they prepare the delicate dishes you will be tasting.

But Pret A Diner is not only about food but certainly about experiencing new combination of flavours for cocktails. And that was what I experienced there.

Recommended by one of my girlfriends we went there to have an early drink. We first admire the setting of the bar area. Old furniture and decoration which gave us a feeling of travel. With bird cages, huge maps, and bamboo sofas, it felt like we landed somewhere in a foreign exotic country during the colonisation era.

Right in the middle of all this we found our spot, a huge comfy four-poster bed.

Some of the cocktails were re-adaptation of classics ones but adding some new flavours such as rosemary or basil. I will say that I was definitely seduced by the drinks.

Less by the food... Well, at least the ones offered in the bar area. I ordered a Salmon and Scallop Ceviche, which was extremely expensive for what I got: a complete traditional seasoning (come on, you can do better than lemon and olive oil!) with one small scallop cut in four slices and one sashimi sized piece of salmon also cut in four (too) thin slices. The presentation was playful but I don't think that's enough.

Pointless to say that this didn't encourage me to try the whole dining experience, as I consider that a fancy place is not a justification to pay extremely exaggerated amount of money to have only two bites of not-so-incredible food. I largely prefer to pay the same amount in a restaurant that offers quality food that deserves the price. (Such as Yauatcha)

In conclusion, I completely feel in love with the concept, the atmosphere and the setting. And I love the idea of some incredible place that just vanishes a few days later leaving no trace. The ephemeral touch is something I appreciate as you feel quite privileged to have had the time to be a part of that instant. Cocktails were good, served in a cosy place where you can enjoy a nice conversation with your friends surrounded by interesting people. Food in the bar area was a joke, but I like to believe that they made a real effort in the dining area where the real dining experience happens.

So if you have the chance to try Pret A Diner, please leave me a comment about how you enjoyed your diner.

Meanwhile, if you are around Mayfair, just go have a look, it will disappear on November 18th...