Taking over the former Asia de Cuba site, Spotlight launches with a two-week chef residency.
St Martin’s Lane Hotel is stepping back into the spotlight with a new residency concept. The hotel has launched Spotlight, a new rotating hub set within the space formerly occupied by Asia de Cuba, the much-loved restaurant that closed in 2019. Now reimagined as a platform for collaborations, pop-ups and creative takeovers, Spotlight is designed to be a place where “food, culture and creativity meet”, with a line-up that will evolve as the year unfolds.
Behind the project is creative studio Whipped Cream, a name more commonly associated with building immersive brand moments than running a hospitality concept. Known for producing ‘brand experiences’ and collaborations, the studio has previously worked with big names, including Blank Street on a ‘crochet club’ pop-up, alongside projects with ITV and Spotify. That pedigree suggests Spotlight won’t be confined to chef residencies alone. Instead, it’s shaping up as a flexible space that can host everything from food and drink rotations to cultural programming, community activations and creative events.
The launch offering sets the tone. Spotlight has opened with a two-week residency featuring Chef Sertaç Dirik, running from 25 February. A former Mangal 2 chef, Dirik is known for his confident, flavour-first approach, and he’s teaming up with Chef Marcello Rodrigues, who has been making the rounds on London’s pop-up circuit with his Portuguese cooking and appearances at Quality Wines, Leo’s, and The Plimsoll.
While full details of the menu haven’t been confirmed, the combination suggests a Turkish-Portuguese meeting of minds, with the potential for bold plates that draw on both culinary playbooks. Think charcoal, spice, comfort and generosity, delivered with the kind of spontaneity that makes residencies feel exciting in the first place.
As for what comes next, the hotel and Whipped Cream are keeping future plans under wraps for now. If the opening residency is any indication, however, Spotlight is aiming to become a living programme rather than a one-off pop-up, with more names and concepts expected to roll through the space in the months ahead.
GO: Follow @spotlight.sml on Instagram for more information.