The Globe Bar is a classy cocktail bar and lounge situated at the Chiswick Moran Hotel along a tree-lined suburb of Chiswick High Road. Named after the huge shimmering globe that hangs between the bar and double-height lobby, the Globe Bar is fast gaining a reputation as one of the most stylish, yet most friendly, venues in London, and features one of the longest bars in the capital. It boasts a sophisticated interior that is surprisingly relaxed and inviting…with luxuriously comfy leather sofas to cater for those who really want to kick back… Decorated in dark, sultry tones and furnished with retro funky accessories, the Globe Bar is quite unlike your average hotel bar, providing a haven of retro chic in this tranquil riverside neighbourhood.
More impressive than the interior is the array of mouth-watering cocktails on offer…a Mojito and a Long Island Iced Tea were the cocktails of choice – excellently prepared and blissfully refreshing – the perfect appetisers before sitting down to a three course meal in the Napa restaurant. The sun was beckoning through the floor to ceiling glass frontage of the bar, so we headed onto the outdoor terrace to make the most of the fine evening. After spending some time sipping our cocktails and watching the world pass us by along this leafy promenade, we retreated inside for our meal.
The first thing I noticed about the Napa restaurant was the vintage-chic decor and life-sized black and white images on the walls, depicting glamorous scenes from the fifties. Head Chef, Wayne Dixon, noticed us admiring the images and proceeded to give us a lowdown of their history and significance. One particularly striking image featured an elegantly poised woman holding an unlit cigarette. Chef Dixon explained to us that the photo was actually part of the original 1950s advertising campaign for the first transatlantic flight from the UK. As we took a moment to admire the scene, Chef Dixon set about offering us a bottle of wine to start the feast…
The Napa restaurant, renowned for its menu offering modern British cuisine, has an impressive wine list to match. There is just enough choice to keep you pondering for a moment or two, but not too much to cause confusion while you order… a bottle of 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape ‘Duclaux’ was the choice to accompany dinner. For our mains, I ordered the steak while my friend decided on the fillet of cod; both cooked to absolute perfection, and served with a pleasant smile. In fact the service was exceptional throughout the evening.
The restaurant manager let us know Napa was styled by Project Orange, who also designed the Whitechapel Gallery Dining Rooms in East London. The retro oval Perspex disks and patterned floor they have installed give the whole space a funky vibe. This is also felt with the raised circular booths and floral printed chairs, which contrast with the more angular screens. The atmosphere was chic and sophisticated – all in all a very enjoyable evening, and certainly worthy of a return visit (or two).
So, if you’re looking for somewhere a bit different to relax with your favourite tipple, or to enjoy a fine meal, look no further than the Globe Bar and Napa restaurant at the Chiswick Moran Hotel – an enjoyable evening in itself, or a great place to start any night out.
Napa,
Chiswick Moran Hotel
626 Chiswick High Road
London W4 5RY
www.naparestaurant.co.uk
www.moranhotels.com
Tel: 020 8996 5200
