We came, we ate, we drank – and we gawped at the incredible interiors at the brand new Ivy Asia, the third incarnation of this Asian-inspired offshoot from The Ivy Collection’s roll-out of brasserie style restaurants.
The only C words on anyone’s mind last night were Champers and cocktails – and they were plentiful and theatrical – much like everything else about this spectacle of a venue. Subtle it most certainly is not.
And neither was the opening night. Our entry into this Eastern-inspired palace of wonder was to the sounds of Taiko drummers, literally banging us in through the entrance. And once inside, the party really got started with DJs LED percussionists banging out tunes.
Like the Ivy Asia’s in St Paul’s and Chelsea, the design here is all about decadence, extravagance, theatrics and beauty.
It is a feast for the eyes, for sure. Backlit pink onyx flooring on the ground floor, ceilings awash with a dramatic drawing of dragons, and Japanese-inspired murals on the walls.
Upstairs, the show continues, with the flooring now a bright green backlit onyx offering the perfect uplighter to the full-height blossom trees dotted around. There are also giant statues of samurai warriors and oversized vases filled with plumes of autumnal foliage.
Curved banquettes are upholstered in rich velvet jewel tones and dining seating in ornately patterned silks, are set around tables. Though for last night’s event some of the tables had been moved out to make way for the party.
The place was heaving from early on as the Surrey glitterati clamoured for a sneak preview of what will likely be the hottest restaurant in town, for the time being at least.
A slew of VIPs were in attendance – think rugby types, past sporting stars, and actors you probably wouldn’t recognise, plus Rachel Stevens the former S Club 7’er. They were rubbing shoulders with local bloggers and Insta-influencers – all strutting their stuff and scoffing back the Champers, Sake, and cocktails.
Canapés, too, were doing the rounds – served theatrically on trays where they were shaded by bonsai trees, or on long boat trays with banana leaves or in little wooden boxes.
You had to be quick to get your mitts on the goodies, but I managed to snaffle a lobster wanton or two and some rather delicious sushi and tempura prawns – all sublime, I’m happy report. I missed the seared Wagyu beef, but imagine it was also pretty excellent.
The Ivy Asia, Guildford officially opens on Monday, 14 March – and I’m already planning a return trip. I still have to sample that Wagyu beef, after all.
