Expect a sun‑drenched Mediterranean escape in the heart of Belgravia.
High above the manicured lawns of Hyde Park, the eighth‑floor terrace at The Peninsula London has always been one of the city's most desirable perches. Most of the year, it is home to Brooklands, Claude Bosi's two‑Michelin‑starred showcase of modern British cooking. This summer, however, the space has undergone a warm-weather makeover, transforming into Soleil by Claude, a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop pop-up.
As a concept, Soleil draws on the leisurely rhythms of Mediterranean holidays. The terrace has been re‑dressed with potted blooms and lime trees. The broader offering – breakfast, lunch and dinner – runs daily, with Chef Bosi describing it as "a place where time slows down, meals are shared, and you don't worry about the clock."
A dedicated lift whisks guests from the ground floor. The cabin is decorated to resemble a hot air balloon; creaking sounds and flickering lights emulate flame, an imaginative nod to Brooklands' aviation theme. After a brief ascent, you step out into the main dining room, which features a scale model of the Concorde. The views over leafy Hyde Park only further enhance the sense of being airborne.
Out on the terrace, the mood shifts from motoring museum to Côte d'Azur. Lime trees burst forth with fruit, while tables topped in freshly pressed linens set the tone for sophistication. Service is as polished as the glittering glassware, as staff glide between tables, amiable without being stiff. Despite being ensconced in foliage, it's almost impossible to drown out the din of the honking horns traversing the busy intersection at Hyde Park Corner.
The menu offers Mediterranean marvels from the garden, the farm and the sea. It's a relatively concise offering but one that prioritises seasonality. The kitchen brigade, assembled under the aegis of Claude Bosi, celebrates fresh British seafood, seasonal produce, and bold Mediterranean flavours.
We began with Crispy Squid with lime and chilli salt (£19). Strips of squid arrive piping hot, coated in a delicate batter that evokes shoestring fries rather than tempura. The lime zest brightens each bite, while the chilli delivers a gentle warmth without overpowering the sweet flesh.
The Octopus Carpaccio with Sauce Vierge (£22) followed. The translucent discs of tentacle spiral across a chilled plate like an elaborate spirograph, dotted with finely diced tomato, while the olive‑oil‑based sauce vierge brings freshness without drowning the delicate flavours of the mollusc.
A Courgette Salad from Sean's Farm (£22) epitomises the kitchen's focus on seasonality. Thin ribbons of raw courgette are dressed in a punchy salsa verde and interspersed with fried courgette flowers for a fantastic interplay of textures, from creamy to crunchy.
Moving to the main courses, a Grilled Beef Fillet (£44) arrives sliced and cooked to a precise medium‑rare. The meat is top‑notch and is complemented by a glossy Béarnaise, while onion rings provide crunch. We ordered the beef alongside a Grilled Lobster soaked in Persillade Butter (£90). Presented butterflied, the lobster is tender and smoky, the garlicky parsley butter pooling in the shell. At nearly £100, it is unquestionably a splurge, offering an indulgent centrepiece of the meal.
Desserts maintain a playful Mediterranean spirit. A Baked Alaska with mango and pineapple (designed for two) arrives flambéed tableside, the crisp meringue insulating a core of tropical fruit sorbet. For a more boozy finish, the Baba au Rhum (£14) is dense, sticky and generously soaked, served with a swirl of Chantilly cream. However, it was the Dark Chocolate Mousse with Amarena Cherries (£14) that enamoured us most, a decadent yet balanced treat. The cherries lend a tart contrast, and little shards of chocolate add textural interest.
Naturally, the drinks list leans into the rosé-all-day spirit of a London summer. Alongside a selection of Peninsula's own-label champagne, you'll find Mediterranean-style cocktails, signature spritzes, and a generous rosé menu that keeps the glasses clinking well into the evening.
The Peninsula London is the perfect home for an upmarket restaurant like this, and Soleil captures the allure of the Med, offering a summery dining experience high above the London rooftops. Prices reflect the hotel's Michelin-calibre dining, but the experience feels commensurate.
Brooklands will return to its original form on 5 September, but until then, Soleil by Claude delivers a masterclass in seasonal dining with a Riviera edge.
GO: Visit peninsula.com for more information.