ZIMA Notting Hill
On the front door of the ZIMA Notting Hill restaurant, guests are greeted by Kazimir Malevich’s “Peasant’s Head” by British artist Jo Hicks. It appeared at Zima seven years ago, when the restaurant first opened in Soho, and has now become its symbol in Notting Hill.
“Surrounded by original art objects, we familiarize the restaurant guests with Russian and other Eastern European gastronomic traditions. At the same time, we interpret familiar recipes in a new way, trying to apply a modern approach to dishes familiar to us from childhood,” says restaurant director Lukas Račkauskas. – Of course, among our guests there are often those who are trying Russian cuisine for the first time. For them, almost all combinations of ingredients are very unexpected, but interesting”.
Chef Ilya Bushmakin is in charge of the food at Notting Hill under the guidance of Jurate Volodzko, who ran the kitchen at ZIMA Soho for over six years with creative chef Alexei Zimin. The menu has everything that guests usually come to Zima for – the main hits of Russian feast, and also well-made everyday food – cheesecakes, pancakes, pirozhki, borscht and dumplings, which are handmade daily at the restaurant with different fillings. There are classic ones with beef and pork – served with broth, there are black ones filled with fish and decorated with red caviar, there are dumplings: hearty ones with potatoes and mushrooms, and sweet ones with cherries.
In keeping with the tradition established in Soho, the Notting Hill restaurant’s menu will be updated every season with new dishes. For New Year’s Eve, for example, a special offer is being prepared for guests – it will be launched on December 19. The guests will be treated with “Mimosa” salad with mackerel and homemade mayonnaise sauce with lemon, salmon “Gravlax” and sturgeon with caviar. The dessert list will be replenished with “Kartoshka” cake, and the bar list with aromatic mulled wine.
While the gastronomic concept of the restaurant has remained largely unchanged, the Notting Hill space itself looks different from Soho. It is much more intimate and therefore ideal for leisurely lunches with friends or family dinners. Guests can take seats not only at tables, but also along the long bar. The ideal choice for those who sit down at the Counter is pancakes with black caviar and a glass of champagne (especially since the restaurant offers the most affordable prices for black caviar in the city).
The interior of the new Zima was designed by young designer Dmitry Mazaev (he was also responsible for the renovation of the ZIMA karaoke bar on the ground floor of the restaurant in Soho), whose portfolio already includes several gastronomic projects in London and Moscow. He paid special attention to details that emphasize the atmosphere and character of the place. He kept the old oak floors, their texture adding warmth, and left the exposed brickwork and metal structures of the building.
“In Notting Hill, we have created a space where modernity and history coexist harmoniously. The minimalist interior with clear lines became the basis for a unique collection of art that combines Russian household items, porcelain from the Imperial Factory, avant-garde and contemporary art,” explains designer Dmitry Mazaev. Now, right by the bar, guests are greeted by “Black Square” interpreted by Nikolay Ovchinnikov, on the opposite wall, surrounded by antique patterned wainscoting, hangs “Izbushka” by Ivan Lungin, and in the main hall, painted spinning wheels neighbor with works by Kazimir Malevich and abstraction.
Colorful three-liter jars with tincture have also become an element of the restaurant’s decor – they decorate the far wall, from floor to ceiling, and attract all the guests’ attention. Infusions in “Zima” are prepared manually – on the basis of fresh berries, fruits and herbs. The bar constantly experiments with flavors, for example, they make warming ones with spices and spices for the cold season. You can order them one by one or as a set served on wooden boards.
An alternative option is to try author’s cocktails based on infusions. The most popular ones are Red Square – with cranberry infusion, bitters and chocolate, Russian Mary – with horseradish, tomato juice and spices, Blini Plum Bellini – interpretation of the classics with a base of plum infusion, Prosecco and peach liqueur. New and unusual: Grechka, which is made with buckwheat and cranberry infusion and maple syrup, and Petushok – with pear infusion and bourbon.
The restaurant has now opened and is open daily from 12 noon to 10pm. From next week it is expanding its delivery area, so those who live in the west of London will now find it easier to order their favorite dishes directly from home.
ZIMA Notting Hill will be open during the holidays, with the exception of December 25 and 26. And in January – after the vacations – brunches will appear on the restaurant’s menu. You can follow the website and social media @zimarestaurant for all the news. Subscribe so that you don’t miss anything.
ZIMA Notting Hill address: 9 Blenheim Crescent, W11 2EE
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