The W Hotel on Leicester Square is perhaps the most high profile new hotel opening in London for a few years, so I was very excited to be asked to photograph its restaurant, Spice Market. The original Spice Market was set up by renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten in New York, and now he has brought the concept, essentially southeast Asian cuisine, to London. A few years ago I photographed Jean-Georges at his last London venture, the V restaurant at Fifty St. James’. The 2 restaurants could not be more different. While V was a lofty classical establishment in London’s Clubland, Spice Market soaks up the buzz of the streets of Chinatown, looking out over the bright lights and Chinese lanterns. As the name suggests, there’s an Asian street market feel to the place, with backlit shelves of colourful produce running down one side of the restaurant. But perhaps most memorable are the 600 odd wok inspired brass light fittings hanging in rows as far as the eye can see.

More pics on my hotel page.

Interior by Concrete