I was so thrilled to be invited to the newly reimagined Penthouse and Pavilion at London’s iconic Dorchester Hotel for a beautiful dinner hosted by Tony Page, one of the UK’s most beloved kosher caterers.
I’ve known Tony and his team ever since I started Smashing The Glass back in 2013, and over the years I’ve seen him craft the most exquisite Jewish weddings (some of which we’ve been lucky enough to publish) time and time again.
And The Dorchester – what a dream venue! This iconic Mayfair address has long been one of the capital’s most glamorous addresses and the site of many a gorgeous London Jewish wedding (including a few we’ve featured here on Smashing The Glass over the years), but this dinner gave me an opportunity to experience part of the property that most guests don’t get to see: The Penthouse and Pavilion, a magical gem of a space hidden away on the top floor of the hotel.
When my husband, Jeremy, and I arrived at The Dorchester, after taking a few moments to appreciate the elegant lobby we made our way straight up to the Penthouse and Pavilion, where we were greeted with drinks as we stepped out onto the gorgeous terrace to chat with the other guests.
It was such a lovely, intimate evening, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed from the moment we arrived.
And the view! There’s always something magical about seeing London from the rooftops, and from the terrace we could see so much of the city spread out around us. Luca, the general manager of the Dorchester, also pointed out the new Dorchester Club, which is being built on the roof of the hotel.
Once all the guests had arrived, we made our way into the beautiful dining room – and it was truly a sight to behold. The space had been so beautifully decorated with flowers by Rob van Helden (the man behind the floral design at some truly spectacular Jewish weddings we’ve been lucky enough to write up), and the whole room felt romantic, elegant, and very special.
The Penthouse and Pavilion was originally designed by celebrated stage designer Oliver Messel, and you can really feel that sense of theatrical charm and romance throughout the space. Messel took his inspiration from the story of Sleeping Beauty, and that fairy tale quality really infuses the entire space.
The Penthouse set up for a ceremony
It would be the perfect spot for an unforgettable Friday night dinner, Sheva Brachot, or an intimate Jewish wedding (the Penthouse can host a ceremony of up to 30 guests, while the Pavilion can accommodate up to 36, and combined the spaces can host receptions of up to 60).
The Pavilion set up for an intimate reception
Dinner was catered by Tony Page, and every course was incredible. Everything was so beautifully done – the colours on the plates, the presentation, the flavours, and even the way the food worked with the elegance of the room.
I loved every part of the evening: the table décor, the flowers, the food, the company, and of course the beautiful room itself. There were also some lovely speeches from Tony, which made the evening feel even more personal. It was such a treat to feel so spoiled and pampered in such a beautiful setting.
The whole evening was captured by Di Flow, whose photographs bring all the details of the magical setting to life.
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