Luxury Dubai group to take over Galvin at Windows restaurant space

A luxury Dubai hospitality group is to take over the restaurant space previously occupied by Galvin at Windows at the London Hilton on Park Lane hotel.

The Galvin brothers’ restaurant on the 28^th floor closed in April after 18 years of trading amid a multimillion-pound revamp of the hotel.

It will be replaced at the end of the year by Shanghai Me, a pan-Asian restaurant described as a ‘Made in Dubai’ dining experience.

This will see the dining room refurbished with deep red velvet chairs and low lighting inspired by 1930s Shanghai.

Menus will include a dim sum ‘library’, miso cod and wagyu kushiyaki. The restaurant will open alongside lounge concept Bund.

Shanghai Me is a concept created by luxury Dubai-based group Fundamental Hospitality, which operates 25 restaurants and nightlife venues across the Middle East and Europe.

It marks a departure from the modern British and French style of cooking served at Galvin at Windows, which held a Michelin star from 2010-2019.

Peter Avis, who took over as general manager at Galvin at Windows in 2020, has moved into a wider role overseeing food and drink venue business development and community partnerships at Hilton.

Meanwhile, the restaurant’s former head sommelier Rudina Arapi will step into the role of director of wine.

Evgeny Kuzin, founder and chairman of Fundamental Hospitality, said: "London Hilton on Park Lane has been the city’s hospitality calling card since 1963; with the launch of Shanghai Me, we join them as they enter their next chapter, one that matches our passion for pairing new ideas with classic comfort for the very finest in luxury and experience.”

As part of the overhaul at the hotel, Entourage Group’s Amsterdam steakhouse Mr Porter will open its first UK restaurant on the lower floor in September, replacing Old Trader Vics.

The 454-room London Hilton on Park Lane, which was the first Hilton hotel to open in the UK, has been undergoing a major renovation after celebrating its 60^th anniversary in September 2023.

Matthew Mullan, general manager at the London Hilton on Park Lane, said: “As we usher in a new era for the hotel through our multimillion-pound refurbishment, we’re excited to unveil our new venues.

“Embarking upon these new partnerships will take our food and drink offer to the next level, ensuring the hotel remains the destination for discerning diners and global travellers alike.”