Lusin Mayfair

Originating in Saudi Arabia, where its parent restaurant has hosted luminaries such as the late Kofi Annan, Lusin is an award-winning gastronomic concept that fuses Armenian and Levantine cuisine in a high-end setting. The group’s first restaurant abroad is located in Mayfair and is a testament to the cultural and culinary heritage of Armenia.

Arriving at Lusin, you’re greeted by a trio of pillars that feature hand-made carvings resembling intricate Armenian cross-stones. Across two floors, the restaurant has room for up to 100 diners, in an elegantly designed interior with walls featuring variously coloured tuff stone, sourced from the Armenian mountains.

Taking advantage of fresh ingredients, traditional recipes and distinctive Armenian spices, Lusin’s menu, curated by two Michelin-starred chef Marcel Ravin, offers an authentic take on the region’s cuisine that nonetheless updates and innovates. Signature dishes include the Famous Cherry Kebab – spiced kebab skewers, charcoaled and then covered with a home-made sour cherry sauce for a blend of sweet, sour and salty flavours.

Another highlight is the Lusin Kibbeh, prepared with a special recipe of mixed daily-fresh meat, bulgur & nuts, seasoned with distinctive Armenian spices, and savoured with pomegranate molasses. Vegetarians also come into their own here, for example with the Lusin Salad, made with shredded cheese topping a smoky baked aubergine, with vegetables and herbs coulis. Of course, piles of lavash, the UNESCO-protected Armenian flatbread, are also a common sight on the tables.

The drinks include fresh twists on classic cocktails, crafted by mixologist Giancarlo Mancino, official beverage and bar consultant for the Rosewood Hotels, as well as Armenian wines.