The Exhibition Rooms opens in Crystal Palace

The Exhibition Rooms, a brand new modern British restaurant and bar situated on Westlow Hill, in the heart of leafy Crystal Palace opens its doors to the public this week. This ultimate neighbourhood restaurant serving modern British Food and an eclectic range of cocktails in the opulent downstairs bar and snug is the brainchild of Nick Christodoulou, Wills Logue, David Massey and Geoff Ridgeon.

The Exhibition Rooms takes its inspiration from Crystal Palace, which was opened by Queen Victoria back in 1851 to celebrate the strength of the British Empire; it was the centrepiece of the Great Exhibition of London and was designed by David Paxton in just ten days.

Interior designer and co-owner Wills Logue has tirelessly trawled antiques markets all over The South of France, Morocco and London, to create a stunningly eclectic yet comfortable and functioning space, set over two floors and featuring a lovely, tucked away terrace ideal for alfresco drinking and dining.

The dinning room mixes Victorian elegance with clever touches of classic contemporary design, lichen painted walls are offset by sections of stark stone brickwork. There is an architectural feel to the room with a stunning Georgian window that has been stripped back and hung as a room divider. Antique dark wood tables are simply laid and perfectly lit by a couple of custom made Italian chandeliers that epitomize glamour. Above the ground floor bar hangs a breathtaking 18th Century lantern that came from an old Châteaux.

The downstairs cocktail lounge is all about indulgence and getting lost in conversation. Zany cowhide and zebra upholstered chairs and lush velvet sofas are offset by huge, beautiful modern standard lamps draped in burnt orange and deep red silks. Ancient urns have been filled with lush palm trees and the dark wood floor is scattered with elegant poufs adding to the Boudoir-meets-Bazaar feel of this exquisite room. In the far corner, there is the Moroccan inspired snug, kitted out with a leather floor banquette and antique cushions.

Co-owner David Massey, former Head Chef at Battersea’s Butcher and Grill and Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Restaurant, takes over running the kitchens at The Exhibition Rooms and has devised the ultimate Modern British menu with a few European influences, creating a sophisticated but very relaxed dining experience at affordable prices, perfect for the local market.

Dishes featured on David’s menu include to start: Freshly picked crab with green papaya, mango, coriander, spring onion with Nam Jim dressing, Pan fried chicken livers with a sherry glaze served on toasted brioche, Steak tartare, or Squid, Leon chorizo and chickpeas in a saffron broth with rouille and croutons

For main course choose from: Twice cooked pork belly with Asian pear salad and a soy and ginger reduction, Pan fried halibut with winter greens, Scottish girolles and a truffle and vermouth veloute or Roasted Salt Marsh lamb with Puy lentils, Bury black pudding and salsa verde.

Puddings include Passion fruit and mango trifle, Sticky toffee pudding with caramel sauce or Hot chocolate fondant with vanilla Ice cream. On Sundays The Exhibition Rooms offers a selection of roasted joints of meat served with all of the trimmings alongside a selection of warming winter puddings.

David’s comforting range of dishes is perfectly complemented by an extensive selection of well-priced world wines both served by the glass or bottle. The restaurant also offers its own filtered bottled water in recyclable bottles, with sale proceeds going to charity.

The Exhibition Rooms, with its excellent food and drink offering paired with a comfortably elegant restaurant, relaxed yet exquisite bar and stunning terrace makes the ideal neighbourhood restaurant. The perfect spot for relaxing with a group of friends and family with a huge pile of weekend papers for a jug of Bloody Mary followed by a laid back Sunday lunch or a celebratory lunch or dinner or just a few favourite cocktails in the sumptuous downstairs bar.

The Exhibition Rooms is located at 69-71 Westow Hill, Crystal Palace, London, SE22 8GA

For more information, log on to Theexhibtionrooms.com .