Way before Patrick Bateman faked a telephone call to get a ‘reservation at Dorsia’ in the pop-culture horror favourite film American Psycho, a person’s choice of restaurant has forever denoted everything from one’s status, character and politics, to their tastes, passions and fashion. With the unstoppable rise of social media and the tagging of Instagram posts and stories, this age-old tactic of restaurant name-dropping has been catapulted to extreme new heights, whipping everyone from foodies and influencers, to the glam and more modest, into a wild frenzy of creating our own carefully curated collections of restaurant favourites. Adhering to this ancient marketing theory which has married itself with modern day media, are a selection of London restaurants that have quickly and cleverly embraced the need to be ‘Instagrammable’ – these have been forced to leave behind the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary. As the heat of competition is furiously turned up for these favourites, one newcomer that has coolly breezed its way to the top of London’s ‘hottest influencer restaurant’ game, is: Zuaya.
To be a winning contender in this battle of the sleekest, every sense must be ignited and excited. And this doesn’t just lie with the food. To really compete, a restaurant must be intoxicating to the eyes as well, by providing a visual escape to the consumer that goes beyond a curated Instagram backdrop and become a visual experience that has the capability to transport diners across continents, overseas and even into dreams by offering a temporary escape into the fantastical while you dine. As we step inside, illuminated lettering reads: ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ and we are transported to South America from the heart of the Royal Borough.
Extravagant dining at it’s trendiest, Zuaya opts for moody hues of dark greens and neutrals, plush velour seats, 1970’s style tassel lamp shades hanging dimly lit over intimate tables, and big, bold, statement zig-zag floor tiles. Downstairs, I notice the cool crossover of restaurant, bar and club: a ménage à trois that many of London’s glitzy restaurants try to achieve.
Beginning our culinary journey with a signature cocktail, we pore over the list before I decide on on a ‘Pink Rainbow’, a concoction of vodka, rhubarb liqueur, lemon, watermelon and rose petal jam. Presented to me in a tiki style cup, this is the ultimate combo of zesty and sweet flavours that I crave from cocktails, perfect for refreshment as well as gently preparing the taste buds before you dig into a flavour-rich meal.
We opt for the tasting menu, which looks perfect for absorbing the plethora of tastes and textures that Zuaya offers. When visiting Latin restaurants, my expectations of guacamole is high – and boy did Zuaya deliver. Vibrantly green and mouthwateringly fresh, we start with this alongside sweet potato crisps for dipping, padron peppers (cooked to melt-in-the-mouth perfection) with a scrumptious coating of crunchy salt flakes, plus a lamb and tuna taco. Both beautifully fresh and oozing flavour from the soft taco shell, the fillings of each boasted a combination of ingredients so delectable, we knew we would be craving them for months to come.
Our main courses arrive to the table sizzling: Iberian pork with butternut squash and mojo verde and a dish of wild rice with shitake mushrooms and confit duck. The pork is more tender than any I have in memory and slices like butter under the knife, the sweetness of the butternut squash a surreal partner to this salt-flake sprinkled meat. Topped with an orange-yolked egg that spills out onto the bed of wild rice, mushrooms and duck that sit underneath it, we feel very full heroically continue, devouring the side of quinoa pomegranate salad despite our full stomachs, which spritzes freshness with every crunch of pomegranate seed.
The crème brûlée that followed was nothing less than heavenly, giving the satisfying crack when I tapped my spoon into its brown sugar top, and a dulce de leche flan, beautifully presented with floral decoration, offered a salivating bitter-sweet treat.
Zuaya not only transports guests on a trip to a fantastical jungle that meets all aesthetic desires perfect for Insta, but goes beyond visuals and provides delicious food too. With dishes that scream succulence and flavour through their freshness and Latin American origins, diners get a glamorous picture when visiting, but will also experience a culinary journey that will indeed, ‘seduce the senses’ as promised.
