Hospitality at The Shard: Oblix opens, remaining launch details revealed

By Peter Ruddick

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Restaurant Skyscraper

Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney's Oblix at The Shard is the first restaurant to open within the London Bridge tower
Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney's Oblix at The Shard is the first restaurant to open within the London Bridge tower
Oblix at The Shard, the latest restaurant from Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney, has become the first hospitality venue in the London Bridge tower to open its doors; updated opening details have also been revealed for the three remaining businesses. 

Located on the 32nd floor of the tallest building in the UK, Oblix at The Shard was officially launched on 7 May and features a New York-style grill restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner, and a relaxed bar and lounge boasting brunch, a la carte and all-day dining menus.

With space for 100 covers, Oblix is the latest partnership for the leading chef restaurateur duo behind both Zuma and Roka.

Becker, who is planning to open a restaurant under the Zuma brand in New York next year, has said he was inspired by the city when designing the Oblix concept.

"The building is quite incredible and I was immediately struck by the power of its design. The more I looked at it, the more I thought of New York and the height and boldness of the buildings there," said the German chef. "The idea for Oblix grew from that really," he added.

Oblix at The Shard photo slideshow:

Oblix has become the first hospitality business to launch within the 72-floor skyscraper although further opening details have this week been revealed for the two remaining restaurants and the hotel which will also be taking up residence within The Shard.

The Shard

Hutong, one of the two restaurants from David Yeo's Aqua Restaurant Group, will open next month with a menu focused on the cuisine of northern China.

The 130-cover restaurant will be situated on level 33 of the iconic building and will be based on a restaurant of the same name in Hong Kong.​ Hutong will be open for lunch and dinner as well as late night drinks served at a three-storey atrium bar. Private dining rooms will also feature in the restaurant.

The bar will link Hutong to Aqua Shard, the second restaurant from the group, which will open in July. 

The menu at the 220-cover restaurant will combine British produce with contemporary international cooking techniques. The venue will be open all day and will serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Together, the three new concepts will create 550 covers in The Shard, creating what the building's owners describe as 'the greatest concentration of fine dining anywhere in the capital.' 

Irvine Sellar, on behalf of London Bridge Quarter, said: "The breadth and quality of the restaurants at The Shard will be matched by their exquisite design and dramatic setting.

“Together, they will make The Shard and London Bridge Quarter the aspirational destination for food and wine lovers the world over. 2013 will see The Shard really come to life.

"Londoners and international visitors will want to experience our vision for a new aspirational district for London, open to all, coming to life, in a way that will put the focus firmly on the fast-regenerating south bank," he added.

The opening of the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard has, however, been delayed and will not launch until late summer. The 202-bedroom hotel will feature a signature bar, destination restaurant and lounge and an artisan deli and cake shop on the ground floor of the building.

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