Evoluzione, the Italian restaurant at Hotel Xenia in Kensington, has several rooms and areas suitable for private dining. Chef Andrea Angeletti serves up Italian food with a forward-looking feel, meaning guests can expect something like roast scallops in curry sauce, duck breast with burnt onion crust and berry sauce, or simply-dressed fish. Pasta is a strong point too – passatelli in creamy truffle sauce for instance, or an eggy tangle of tagliolini.
In terms of private dining rooms, there is The Living Lounge, for instance, on the ground floor, which has access to a small private outdoor terrace (ideal for pre-dinner drinks) and a private bar. The ambient lighting matched with natural daylight coming from the floor-to-ceiling windows make for an atmospheric setting.
Then there’s Bohemia, a fixed dining room that benefits from natural light. Effortlessly stylish, it features handmade Bohemia wallpaper and bespoke Italian furniture as well as a glass wall. Especially designed menus are offered here, which will be curated in cooperation with the executive chef.
The whole restaurant in itself can also be booked out privately, meaning you can have a drinks reception or post-dinner drinks in the adjacent conservatory, which is very pretty. Again, the dining room is flooded with natural daylight from wrap-around windows makes for a beautiful setting. In the corner, a grand piano sits where a pianist can be hired to play for guests during dinner. It’s worth noting that the conservatory and terrace can be hired separately for a private dinner, too.
The Living Wall Bar and heated herb garden further make for trendy private dinner space, and the cocktail bar setting means a private bar is available which helps create a cool atmosphere. Finally, there is the small and casual rooftop terrace with views of west London and the City, and comfy sofas.