The Grecian debauchery haven of Mykonos has never seen it fit in showing the need nor interest to behave itself; and it is within the glistening confinements of Psarou Beach where this hedonistic fuelled island, chooses to slip off those final shreds of inhibitions.
Right along this bedazzling gleaming curve of the Aegean shoreline, the seas ripples revel in an almost indecent, bold turquoise magnificence as polished tenders nose towards the soft golden sand, delivering a clique of chiselled bronzed passengers wrapped in sumptuous silks and bejewelled swimming couture. Colossal curvaceous magnums of pale rosé steadily perspire inside intricate silver buckets, and a luncheon soirée begins with every intention of consuming the whole of those afternoon hours showing that Psarou is less a posers beach sanctum, and more a sun-drenched theatre of appetite where beautiful excess is treated as impeccable manners, and the distinction between a lingering dining odyssey and champagne revved celebration becomes delightfully irrelevant.
The pleasure-seeking luxe dining empire that is Nammos stands at the feverish heart of that mythology, its tropical title inseparable from the heady pleasures of Mykonian life yet beneath the bronzed glitz and glamour, lies a deeply gastronomic soul. A dinner table simply not somewhere to pause between swims, but a core centre of epicurean seduction ensembled with indulgent seafood affairs, lustrous sauces and the topmost seasonal produce carrying the saline brightness of the Greek coast to the Mediterranean altogether demonstrating that wholesome cooking can arrive with a glamorous flourish, whilst polished in execution to encourage the sort of extended decadent feasting, where one exquisite plate tempts another.
A voluptuous appetite now tailored for London’s cosmopolitan culinary connoisseurs since June 2016, Nammos London takes pride in its glitterati stature not as as lonesome beach club stranded beneath British skies, but as an ambitious urban restaurant translating the brand’s celebrated Mediterranean gastronomy, into an chic dining Mayfair address created for the capital’s haute monde where the swimwear glad-rags may have disappeared, but the appetite for theatrical spectacles remains gloriously intact expressed through unparalleled hosting, wholesome ingredients with a lavish finesse, and a dining room designed for show-stopping arrivals demanding to be noticed.
The Making Of The Nammos Phenomenon
Long before the beau-monde utopia of Psarou Beach became the shimmering backdrop to Champagne-soaked afternoons, gleaming superyachts and the globe’s most photographed luncheons, it was at one time an overlooked ribbon of golden sand where the crystalline Aegean waters kissed a quiet shoreline, and visited by little more than local fishermen and the occasional boat. It was here during the mid sixties that Kyriakos Angeletakis and his wife Eleni took to opening a humble bijou taverna, serving the day’s freshest oceanic catch to adventurous souls willing to venture beyond Mykonos’ bustling Chora. With few roads, scarcely any accommodation and the bare minimal infrastructure, the secluded bay has remained a well-kept island secret, and the family business found it a tiresome struggle to entice both far-flung and native visitants.
Everything however had changed in 1985 when a new generation dared to imagine something altogether, utterly and extraordinarily chic gripping the reigns to the taverna, with Kyriakos Angeletakis recognising the untapped seduction of Psarou and envisioning a glamorous sanctuary where Greece’s fashionable elite would gather over a toothsome seafood feasting affair, paired with ever flowing flaxen crisp Champagne and those sun drenched afternoons that dissolved effortlessly, into a vivacious spirited encounter. As Mykonos blossomed into the Mediterranean’s playground for ultra elite high society, his ambition had no sooner transformed an undervalued stretch of coastline, into one of the spheres most craved after beachfront addresses.
It was then in 2002 that defining new chapter made its dazzling arrival, when the taverna was passed into new ownership before reopening in 2003 under the fresh title of Nammos, a name that would soon become synonymous with brazen, unapologetic Mediterranean debauchery twinned with the upmost of flavourful epicurean pleasures. What began as a single beachside restaurant has since evolved into an opulent 12,000 square metre village of lush vibrant botanical stretches, couture clad boutiques, and a tranquil assemblage of wellness spaces, not to neglect the charming adornments of striking contemporary architecture where refined gastronomy, glitzy fashion and pulsating music tubes all exist together in perfect harmony. From the sparkling pristine shores of Mykonos, its irresistible spirit has soared its powerful wings into Dubai’s glittering Gulf, whilst serenely gliding into the Riviera elegance of Cannes and the sunlit waterfronts of Limassol, before nestling into London’s billionaire play park of Mayfair, proving that while destinations may change, the art of celebrating life forever beautifully remains, unmistakably Nammos.
Where Mayfair Slips Into Mykonos
Flawlessly nestled within Berkeley Street’s unapologetically hedonistic Bentley crawling enclave, Nammos London sits a leisurely few minutes from Green Park station, luring in London’s beautifully dressed haute monde into a glittering realm where Mediterranean glamour, chooses to unashamedly eclipse a metropolitan routine.
A slick urban façade abandoning any desire to literally recreate Psarou, the exterior takes pride in distilling the beach club’s seductive DNA into an impeccably polished Mayfair address, where beneath elegant cream awnings the glowing champagne gold NAMMOS insignia had radiated with quiet confidence above a contemporary frontage, framed by oversized sculptural planters overflowing with palms to introduce a welcome burst of Cycladic soul, all against London’s stately stone streetscape.
It was beyond the entrance however that this beloved UK capital had then quietly surrendered, with British joinery atelier James Wellesley transforming this luxe dining destination into a breathtaking celebration of contemporary Mediterranean luxury where every surface appeared designed to flatter both its surroundings, and the impossibly glamorous clientele occupying them. Embodying a sumptuous palette of bleached ash timber and creamy limestone tones against warm champagne hues, settings of softly veined marble against woven rattan had flown throughout the dining room with effortless continuity, while sculptural archways rested against sweeping radius curves, bespoke reeded detailing and mirrored wall panels softening the architecture into something, irresistibly sensual ringing together the medley between richly figured timber, polished stone and shimmering reflections to create a space that felt cinematic, and unmistakably fashion led.
Stealing the spotlight with that irresistible bravado, the spectacular curved bar stood as the room’s sculptural showpiece painstakingly crafted from steam bent ash after more than six months of prototyping, before making its journey to Mayfair. Showing off its voluptuous ribbed contours and the timber’s natural grain with couture worthy precision, the seductive sweep of its silhouette drew every admiring glance towards a procession of impeccably mixed cocktails, rare vintages and beautifully choreographed bartenders performing with effortless flair. Shell inspired chandeliers sparkled above like oversized jewels and lush emerald planting spilled dramatically between elegantly dressed tables, altogether elevated against integrated architectural lighting designed to gradually deepen from its soft golden luminosity, into a richer amber glow all allowing the restaurant to flirt shamelessly with the approaching night.
Completing this fantasy saw statuesque female hosts gliding through the room in sweeping cream Grecian gowns, their fluid ballerina like silhouettes restoring an unmistakable whisper of Mykonos to London’s polished concrete landscape. By the time I arrived for dinner, the transformation was complete with pulsating Balearic DJ mashups rolled provocatively throughout the restaurant, while crystal stemware glittered beneath flickering candlelight and every glamorous arrival seemed to heighten the room’s irresistible charge, altogether creating an atmosphere deliciously impossible to distinguish where refined dining ended, and debauched nightlife had begun.
Mediterranean Soul And Japanese Precision: The Taste Of Nammos
The essence of the Mediterranean interwoven with a wholesome Japanese affair demonstrating meticulous culinary artistry at its most elite, the menu at Nammos London refuses to be confined by geography. Instead, gliding with fluid agile grace between the sun-drenched shores of Greece, and the immaculate precision of Japan where exceptional produce, and time-honoured traditions are elevated through contemporary finesse.
Naturally the evening began with a pair of timeless cocktail icons. A sharply poised Cosmopolitan displayed its familiar ruby brilliance with a lively cranberry brightness and citrus perfume, while an impeccably chilled Margarita revealed a cleaner, more assertive personality, its lively lime freshness softened by the rounded warmth of premium tequila before a bottle of Minuty Prestige Rosé, elegantly dressed with the coveted NAMMOS insignia, made its graceful arrival into the centre of the table. Pale blush in appearance with its delicate notes of white peach, wild strawberries and fragrant citrus provided an effortlessly sophisticated companion to the feast that followed.
Opening proceedings, the Spicy Crab Tartare proved every bit as dashing as its presentation suggested, the naturally sweet crab cloaked in a gentle warmth before the lift of vibrant yuzu, and a luxurious earthiness of bold heady truffle added an altogether more, decadent dimension. Beside it the house signature Spicy Tuna resting upon a beautifully crisp spider roll, delivered an irresistible interplay of silky tuna, creamy spice and the satisfying crunch of soft-shell crab, while the Salmon Teriyaki balanced glossy sweet savoury richness against the featherlight crispness of shrimp tempura with remarkable precision.
Not to be eclipsed by their Japanese counterparts, the Mediterranean offerings radiated equal confidence. The Burrata Salad arrived bursting with jewel toned heritage tomatoes, buttery avocado, grilled asparagus and plump Greek olives, each ingredient dressed simply with fragrant lemon olive oil and a playful flutter of chilli flakes, allowing the creamy burrata to luxuriate at the very heart of the composition. Equally captivating, the Aubergine Mille-Feuille layered delicately softened aubergine beneath cloud like feta mousse and aromatic basil oil, every forkful revealing velvety textures punctuated by fresh herbaceous brightness, while warm, freshly baked flatbread emerged irresistibly soft and lightly blistered, proving almost impossible to resist between courses.
The kitchen’s command of luxurious simplicity continued into the main event. Generously tangled ribbons of Linguine Lobster arrived glistening beneath fragrant garlic, vibrant basil and warming chilli, each silky strand embracing succulent sweet lobster that celebrated the purity of exceptional ingredients rather than disguising them. The exclusive Black Angus Tenderloin made an appropriately theatrical entrance upon a beautifully engraved Nammos wooden board, its carefully selected marbling rewarding each mouthful with remarkable tenderness, rich buttery depth and deeply savoury character. Alongside, truffle fries wore lavish shavings of seasonal black truffle with unapologetic indulgence, while the baked sweet potato crowned with whipped feta and fragrant melissa introduced a mellow sweetness that balanced the richness beautifully.
Then came the restaurant’s undisputed, sweet treat showstopper. Presented with theatrical flourish, the celebrated Nammos Chocolate Mousse transformed dessert into an event in itself generously scooped table-side from an oversized glass bowl, before cascading luxuriously onto waiting plates. A glorious marriage of dark, milk and white chocolate, every impossibly light spoonful delivered what could only be described as silk heaven in a bowl, dissolving almost instantly into waves of rich cocoa, velvet smooth creaminess and delicate sweetness that somehow remained indulgent without ever becoming heavy.
Right as the final course disappeared, the room slipped almost imperceptibly into a different register. The live singer and saxophonist gracefully handed the soundtrack to the resident DJ, whose Balearic rhythms threaded effortlessly through the restaurant as another round of Margaritas landed, and magnums of pale hued rosé continued to flow from ice-filled buckets. Tables lingered without apology, impeccably dressed late arrivals filled the remaining seats and dinner surrendered to the sort of languid, beautifully dressed revelry that has become synonymous with the Nammos name where stylish gastronomy, had merely set the evening in motion before the music melodies quietly assumed control.
The Nammos Effect
From a forgotten stretch of Mykonian shoreline to one of Mayfair’s hottest reservations, Nammos has never been content with merely serving exceptional food. Meticulously bottling up the carefree seduction of the Mediterranean and dressing it impeccably for London, this boujee dining eatery demonstrates a stage of pristine gastronomy, Japanese finesse, and a fashion-conscious sprinkling of glamour, not to neglect an irresistible after dark spirit exist in intoxicating harmony beneath one beautifully orchestrated roof.
Far more than another luxury restaurant chasing the capital’s well-heeled dining crowd, Nammos succeeds because it understands that today’s haute monde demands atmosphere every bit as compelling as the cuisine itself. It is here exquisitely composed plates, flawlessly shaken cocktails, magnetic music and a beautifully dressed clientele become equal players in an experience, where every reservation carries the delicious possibility of lasting far longer than originally intended.
Impeccably cosmopolitan and gloriously unapologetic in its pursuit of pleasure, Nammos London proves that while Mykonos may remain the spiritual home of the brand, its newest Mayfair incarnation possesses a captivating identity entirely its own, cementing itself as one of London’s most desirable sybaritic destinations unabashedly parading as a triumphant new chapter for the celebrated Greek brand, proving that every impeccably set table carries the quiet promise that the night is still, only just getting started.
