Hide Restaurant, 85 Piccadilly

Having been absent from my blog for almost two months, sharing the excitement of a recent, easily wheelchair accessible, visit to Hide Restaurant at 85 Piccadilly seems like a fun way to resume activities, yes?

Possibly even better news is that I will be keeping my blogging short and snappy for the moment as I have just started a new writing course and my, long-awaited, building project may be starting within the next six weeks so busy, busy, busy.

Moving on to Hide, and diving straight in to access issues for us wheelies, there is easy on-street parking (Clarges Street) just around the corner from Hide and reasonable roads and pavement to wheel across – took me five minutes from parking to entrance.

A level door entrance – okay, a small, barely discernible lip – opens to the ground floor and, relief, a lift to all floors. A lift somewhat overshadowed by the adjacent StairStalk Staircase which is a serious ‘wow’ visually as you roll on by – see the images below.

As a brief aside, that Staircase deserves all its’ multitude of design plaudits. Do click across to e-architect to see and read more about it: link here.

The lift was comfortably large enough for me in my power wheelchair and maybe two others & there’s a cute ‘hidden’ feature to stop and view on the way up.

i maybe should have mentioned that Hide is a sizeable restaurant – great news for the wheels as there’s lots of space between tables and for manoeuvring. The bar is in the basement; a la carte on Ground; the Tasting menu Above.

We headed straight Above for the Tasting menu, with me rolling easily from lift to table – see the image above, and last below.

The table itself gave me momentary pause because it has a deep support below and circumventing the top which was rather tricky to get my knees under. Being able to adjust my seat height and lower my legs – the boon of power wheelchairs – I coped by balancing on my hubcaps but with a fixed height wheelchair? I really don’t know. Best ask them to measure it if you’re thinking of making the trip.

Finally, the food. Yes, it was good. Possibly even great. Interesting, varied and, despite the many courses, not too heavy. This is a small portion, experimental foodie experience. Not as theatrical as The Fat Duck but with beautiful, intricate and unexpected combinations of texture, flavour and presentation. Not a restaurant you visit because you’re hungry but for when you’re feeling curious, playful and want to be surprised and delighted by your culinary experience.

Only you will know if this is your ‘thing’ and something you are happy to spend your hard-earned £££ on. Such delights do not come cheap. Oh, maybe I should add that Hide also have a much-admired wine list which may be a bigger draw than the food for some.

I loved it all. I shall be trying Ground next time, I think.

Absolutely recommended: Hide, 85 Piccadilly, London.

StairStalk Staircase At Hide via e-architect. Photo credit © Phil Watson.

Lift on the Ground Floor, Hide London.
Image courtesy Hide London.

Ground Floor, Hide London.
Image courtesy Hide London.

Hide Above, First Floor, Hide London.
Image courtesy Hide London.

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