Amazónico London
Having opened towards the end of 2019, Latin American restaurant Amazónico London is taking its Mayfair guests on a journey along the Amazon River.
Amazónico London is a completely new venture following on from the huge success of its Madrid sister site, which opened in 2016. Through taste, touch and sight, visitors are taken on a sensory journey along the flow of the Amazon River, exploring the Latin American culinary landscape. The restaurant’s layout invites discovery, with a design that flows from the bar at the entrance, through the lounge, sushi counter and the restaurant with its private dining room.
The restaurateur couple behind Amazónico has relocated to London to ensure the success of their Spanish venture is reimagined in the United Kingdom’s capital. Amazónico in Madrid is known for its vibe and colour and is a favourite with celebrities and socialites.
Taking inspiration from the cultural diversity and gastronomic heritage of the Amazon region, Amazónico offers an explosion of the senses, with live music, lush natural décor and a distinctive culinary experience. The menu features a collection of Latin American cuisines and all their influences, from traditional Brazilian dishes and cachaça cocktails, to Peruvian sushi.
Amazónico has set up home in one of London’s most famous squares. Launched in partnership with D.ream International, the restaurant group behind Coya, Zuma and Nusr-et, the London venue, right in the centre of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the world, is ideally placed to showcase Amazónico to a global audience.
Co-founder and Chef Sandro Silva commented on the opening:
“Amazónico is a journey, a trip down the Amazon river through Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. The rich culinary heritage of the region has influences from Japan, China and India, which makes it unique. The Amazon is more than a river; it connects people, cultures and traditions. This, together with an homage to nature, is at the core of our concept.”
Reflecting on Amazónico’s arrival in London, co-founder Marta Seco said:
“London is one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in the world, with a really exciting and thriving restaurant scene, so when we talked about taking Amazónico out of Madrid and putting it on the international stage, it had to be London. Like the Amazon, London is home to an abundance of cultures and lifestyles which mirrors the origins of the concept.
“Our mission is to make every visit unique and different, with Latin American emotion and passion at its core bringing our energy to the square – there’ll be music, performance, fantastic food and great company.”
Designed by internationally renowned artist Lázaro Rosa-Violan, the creation of Amazónico encompassed transforming the Old Irish Bank into Mayfair’s hottest new culinary destination. The venue has been carefully curated to take its guests on a trip down the Amazon from source to sea, featuring plenty of natural and raw materials.
For a private occasion, guests can hire the 20-person rainforest-themed private dining room, or alternatively soak up the atmosphere whilst enjoying a more informal dining experience at the Peruvian sushi bar. As dusk turns to dark, the lounge and striking bar adorned with model peacocks will emmanate energetic ‘elec-tropical’ sounds and Latin American tunes from the resident DJ programme.
Lázaro Rosa-Violan started his professional career as a painter. By age 8, he had staged his first exhibition in Brussels. Finding success at an early age, he continued his passion for painting and exhibited his work, whilst also studying architecture at the University of Madrid. Commenting on the restaurant’s design, he said:
“All the lush plants and products that surround guests are natural, organic and warm, with lots of wood and terracotta features to capture the rainforest feel.”
Given the location of the restaurant and the surrounding competition meant that Amazónico needed to make a statement. Every element of the project from the layout to the furniture to the foliage was carefully thought through to create a restaurant that fully immerses the customer into its heart and soul.
The project’s main contractor was WFC, while the architecture was overseen by MJP Architects. Work began in October 2018 and was completed in time for the public opening on the 9th November 2019. The fact the building previously operated as a bank meant that a significant amount of infrastructure, such as extract, pipework and ducting, had to be installed as required for a restaurant with 190 staff.
Opened in 2016 in Madrid, Amazonico is widely acclaimed in Madrid for its cuisine and atmosphere, it serves colourful and vibrant cuisine in a captivating, warm and inviting space, filled with details and charm. Amazonico Dubai will be the restaurant’s third outpost, after London – Mayfair.
Sandro Silva and Marta Seco opened their first restaurant, El Paraguas, in 2004 with seven other Madrid-based concepts opening since then. All with their own unique styles and gastronomy, they all share key values: top quality cuisine, excellent service and memorable environments in incredible locations.
For more information, please visit www.amazonicorestaurant.com.
Craftwood
Craftwood is a market-leading furniture manufacturer, specialising in bespoke banquette seating and fixtures.
In operation for 20 years, the company constructs both fixed and free standing seating and predominantly supplies to the leisure, financial services and residential sectors. No matter the size of a project, Craftwood engages with clients to give 100% passion, reliability and commitment.
The company was recently involved with high profile rainforest-themed Madrid restaurant Amazonico, creating and supplying all of the banquette seating. Other projects Craftwood has worked on include The Ivy Restaurants, Twickenham Stadium and Amazon.
A spokesperson for Craftwood commented:
“We really enjoyed working on this project, the end result looks incredible and we are proud to have worked alongside WFC to be a part of such a beautiful restaurant.
“We pride ourselves in our quality product, meeting time schedules and giving great customer service from start to finish.”
To find out more, please visit www.craftwood-uk.com.
