Isabel Mayfair announces the appointment of former Petersham Nurseries chef Catarina Almeida to lead a new culinary chapter at the restaurant. Almeida and her team will launch a new, refreshed menu on Monday 22nd June, coinciding with the official start of summer, that puts seasonality and expertly selected ingredients back in focus. Almeida brings with her a deep understanding and respect for seasonal produce, which aligns with Isabel Mayfair’s own approach to ingredient-led cooking inspired by the spirit and flavours of the Mediterranean.
Since opening in 2017 on Mayfair’s Albemarle Street, Isabel has established itself as one of London’s most distinctive restaurant and bar destinations. It has been celebrated for its vibrant expression of ingredient-led, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and a seasonally changing bar programme that features one of the UK’s largest selections of Tequila and Mezcal.
As the newly appointed Head Chef, Almeida will approach with a philosophy that is both personal and inspired. Having grown up surrounded by family farms in her native Portugal, home-grown produce and cooking techniques passed down through generations have shaped her outlook. Rather than focusing on a single country or cuisine, the menu will draw upon the diverse cultures that surround the Mediterranean. “I want each dish to tell a story, whether that’s through the ingredients, the place that inspired it, or the memories and traditions its connected to” says Almeida. “Mediterranean food is about more than recipes; it’s about bringing people together around the table and creating moments that are meant to be shared.”
Menu highlights will include the Market whole fish served with lemon and Sauce Vierge, which reflects both Almeida’s Portuguese heritage and her years of experience cooking within Italian-influenced kitchens. The Creamy burrata with roasted figs and aged balsamic reduction offers a delicious sweet and savoury moment demonstrating the power of simplicity when paired with outstanding produce. Another standout dish is the Breaded lamb cutlets with anchovy mayonnaise and Marcona almonds, where perfectly cooked lamb is enveloped in a crisp, golden crust, while the savoury depth of the anchovy mayonnaise and the delicate nuttiness of the almonds bring a distinctly Mediterranean elegance to the plate.
To mark Almeida’s appointment and introduce the new menu, Isabel will also launch “The Welcome Lunch Menu” – a three-course lunch menu priced at £20 per person, available seven days a week until the end of August. Conceived as a warm welcome to both Almeida and the new season, the menu provides an opportunity for guests to experience her first menu at Isabel and discover the restaurant’s continued commitment to ingredient-led cooking.
The launch also comes shortly after the opening of Isabel Abu Dhabi, the restaurant’s first international outpost. Selected dishes will appear across both menus, creating a subtle connection between London and Abu Dhabi while allowing each restaurant to retain its own distinct identity.
“Catarina brings a genuine understanding of ingredient-led cooking, together with the warmth, generosity and respect for produce that sit at the heart of Isabel,” says Scottie Bhattarai, CEO of BNF Hospitality. “Her experience at Petersham Nurseries, combined with her own Portuguese heritage, makes her a natural fit for the restaurant as we continue to evolve and write the next chapter of Isabel Mayfair.”
Isabel Mayfair’s new menu launches on Monday 22nd June. Reservations can be made via www.isabelw1.london.