Aqua Nueva Review

Book a table at Aqua Nueva

Best for: unusual decor; Spanish tapas; Spanish wines.

Great: views of London; Soho location; feeling of success.

The Nandos Black Card; a Man Booker propping up an Oscar, a Nobel, and a World Cup winners medal; Aqua Nueva on a Friday night; and a walk-in wardrobe full of shirts with other men’s names sewn into the collar. And all in that order, please. Thanks very much.

ASBOs: they clearly didn’t succeed in pacifying the disaffected yoof of London. The method of chastising and punishing has clearly done nothing to improve their situation. They need aspiration, not condemnation. So round up the delinquents and treat them to a night at one of London’s best and brightest restaurants. That’ll learn em. Once they witness first hand what life can be like if they show a little backbone in the classroom, they’ll keep doing homework until bedtime.

Once they’ve ascended in the lift - oh yes, the restaurant has its own lift - they’ll be greeted happily by the Aqua Nueva supermodels and their pearly white smiles, who will each take a coat, a bag, or a name before leading the former kings and queens of ASBO down a dramatically illuminated corridor towards a charging bull – honest, you’ll see it too when you’re there – en route to the destiny that have yet to earn.

Make sure none of the miscreants are wearing trainers when entering this Soho restaurant. They wont be ostracised if they are, but there’s a distinct possibility they might suddenly, between the bread and the potent poached egg with porcini cream and black truffle starter, find themselves dispatched through a trapdoor, only to return soon after with the offending footwear coloured black and shined with a gleam so bright it will momentarily blind them. They will then be unable to select the delicious, soft and mushy, sharp and hard combination of the lemon tart, ice cream and spongy chocolate chip dessert.

If uncomfortable attire situations are avoided, the ruffians will become instantly emanoured with the opulence of Aqua Nueva and will smile and nod and utter things like “for real”. The theme of the restaurant - I believe it’s called money - will impress them. The design will evoke future plans of grandeur in their minds. They will stare agog at the black chiffon curtains separating the bar from the main restaurant and, in the voyeuristic manner that is standard practice at Aqua Nueva (because everyone looks amazing), believe it is a mirror of their own fate.

The hoodlums will then cast their eyes around the room, clocking the Russian oligarchs and nouveau riche of Essex. They wont begrudge these people. After all, they spend their money wisely. Neither will they begrudge the young lovers lining the far wall, sat beneath a ceiling of long, hanging wooden knobs. The craftsmanship utilised in the creation of these visual delights will astonish them. They will gawk, and not for the only time that evening, thus missing the arrival of the diverse menu, which explores some fine dining tendencies (foams, marinades, savoury Mille-feuille) and offers each of them a short lesson in Spanish with English interpretations of each dish.

Some of the assembled goons will consider themselves gamblers and - much like my own dinner partner whose tendencies as a professional poker player saw him take a punt on the freshly shucked oysters - will probably choose a dish that is over too quickly, much like most good things in life.

The medium rare Extremadura style lamb will induce these punks to use words such as ‘tender’, ‘gorgeous’, and ‘beautiful’. If they were allowed to ask for its hand in marriage, they probably would. Likewise, if they were permitted to drink they would probably choose the 2007 Tempranillo Blend Rioja Reserva: woody, rich, sharp at first, finishing mellow; much like Woody Allen, who will be sat at the next table*.

They also wont be privy to the pungency of the 2005 Rioja Blanco or any of the moderately-to-expensively priced wine list. And as the UK taxpayer will be picking up the tab anyway, the yoof wont blink an eye at the high-teens-to-early-twenties mains prices either.

Before leaving they will rise from their seats, walk over to the balcony several floors above Regent Street, high enough to disseminate the stench of the proletariat’s malaise, and bellow: “the only blemish on this otherwise faultless canvas is the speed at which our drinks were delivered. Otherwise, thank you Aqua Nueva; you have shown me that my future can be rewarding.” They will then take the lift back down to the ground floor, taking with them a whole new perspective on life.

*maybe.

...read more

Christian Rose-Day 13 Apr 2011

Aqua Nueva Description

Offering a very modern take on the traditional cuisine of northern Spain, aqua nueva can seat up to 160 diners. aqua nueva is overseen by acclaimed chef Alberto Hernandez, who trained under the legendary Ferran Adria at what is widely considered to be the world’s finest restaurant, the three Michelin starred El Bulli in Catalonia.

Renowned for using only the freshest of ingredients and preparing them in a way that the flavours shine through, Hernandez’s cutting edge menu at aqua nueva features such standout starters as roast foie gras, mango confit, herb salad, melon and black tea sauce and baby squid, balls of squid ink and fish broth. Main dishes include 24 hour marinated and braised oxtail with pumpkin purée and Mille feuille of sea bass, cockles, Spanish vinaigrette and cockle jelly. Rounding off this exquisite culinary offering will be desserts such as apple jelly and apple ice with yoghurt ice cream and dark chocolate nibs.

At the heart of aqua nueva is an all-day Tapas Bar serving Hernadez’s take on the traditional Spanish cuisine which makes it ideal for lunch or casual dining any time of the day.

aqua nueva combines pioneering cuisine with an ultra stylish interior designed by Glamorous Co of Osaka and aqua restaurant group founder, David Yeo.

The restaurant is accessed off a striking glass catwalk that takes the diner on a journey from the cool of aqua kyoto to the passion of aqua nueva, signalled by a life-like charging bull. The light-filled interior of aqua nueva has been designed to create a feeling of warmth and radiance complemented by creamy yellows and light wood textures. On the walls hang magnificently carved oak wood tiles that mimic traditional Spanish porcelain tiles, inspired by the bright Mediterranean sun. Additional statement pieces include 15,000 hand-crafted wooden beads which hang from the ceiling, akin to chandelier crystals....read more

Special Offers at Aqua Nueva

• Pre theatre menu

Customer Reviews for Aqua Nueva

Average (based on 1 votes): 1 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Aqua Nueva.

“Amazing! book ahead, it can be hard to get a table in the latter half of the week, and make sure you take in the views on the roof terrace.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Terry, london (3 years 6 months 15 days ago)

Aqua Nueva Opening Hours

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Spanish
• Average Price: £60.00
• Dress Code: Smart casual
• Group: Aqua Restaurants Group