Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, Claro, is now open for lunch and dinner.
Located in the prestigious St James’s District, Claro is synonymous with seasonal produce and high-quality ingredients, all thoughtfully prepared to create contemporary Mediterranean food with Middle Eastern influences.
Claro was founded by a close-knit team of four partners, all long-time friends. Led by Chef Shadi Issawy, the London kitchen offers a dining experience that mirrors the celebrated culinary approach of their restaurant in Tel Aviv, which has been open for over a decade.
The menu champions seasonality, with dishes designed to be shared. Starting with a selection of snacks including Claro’s signature Frena bread with matbucha, labneh, spicy zhug and olives or Fried brussels sprouts with caper aioli.
To be enjoyed by the whole table, the menu is broken down across three sections, featuring a selection of fish, meat and vegetable options. Highlights including Yellowtail sashimi with freekeh tabbouleh, Winter squash steak with mustard leaves, Octopus carpaccio with red prune salsa, Short rib tortellini with onion cream, Shimp gnocchi with charred corn, Slow cooked salsify with skordalia cream, Butter-roasted stuffed cabbage with za’atar, Smoked pink trout with potato salad, Fillet of beef with snow peas and a showstopper Lamb platter with picked vegetables and pita bread.
For a sweet conclusion to the meal, desserts take on a playful twist with a Parsnip carrot cake, Strawberries & beetroot, Bread pudding and Date & Whiskey caramel cake.
The menu is complemented by a selection of premium wines and Champagnes from across the world, and a collection of cocktails which favour fresh ingredients. Highlights from the list includes Basilica – Tanqueray Gin, homemade pear syrup, purple and green basil, lemon juice; Lime & Ginger – Plantation 3 Stars White Rum, black lime, fresh lime, mint, Claro’s homemade ginger beer; Tea Time – Casamigos Tequila, agave syrup, homemade chili hibiscus iced tea.
The restaurant embodies a warm atmosphere where food is generously presented in a beautifully designed setting. The open kitchen is located on the ground floor within a large, dramatic, double-height main area. Once a historic banking hall, the space has been reimagined by the award-winning agency DesignLSM, who have transformed the interiors to honour the heritage of St James’s Clubland, where the restaurant now sits. The design marries the elegance and exclusivity of the Clubland’s reputation with a modern, progressive vision.
Claro features bar seating, dining tables and an open kitchen, with outdoor seating set to follow next Summer. Ideal for private events, on the second level there are two private rooms for 12 and 60 guests, with their own lounge bar.
A special weekend brunch will follow early 2025.
