NHYM 2026

A few months ago, I was asked to write a review on Maison Estelle, the very swanky London members club celebrated for its wonderful art collection, but the weeks went by and I just never found the time. And now, Celeste, its Notting Hill satellite, has opened! So, given I’ve already been twice, I thought it more appropriate to review it.

I went opening week, during the soft launch when they were offering their members a taste of their new club (thank you!). Firstly, let me give you a brief set up of the club: the ground floor is an Italian-American restaurant opened to the public, the first floor is a very cool, jazzy bar area, the second floor is their Japanese and the top floor is a quiet, loungey space for drinks.

NHYM 2026

We went to the Italian-American restaurant our first time. The front room is definitely channeling the American-Italian Soprano restaurant vibe, with a bar and mahogany panelled walls and tables, all decorated with gold accents. To me, it’s a little too nostalgic and misses the opportunity of a modern twist and feels like a complete different restaurant to the back room, The Courtyard.

The Courtyard, has a completely different feel to it, lighter with white walls, and I personally prefer it to the front room: it feels more like an all-day restaurant it advertises itself to be and just feels more welcoming to me. We ate there, and had the tri pomodoro pasta and the seabass, which was all good, but it is difficult to compete with all the ridiculous choices of new restaurants in the neighborhood, which focuses on inventive new food: Japanese/Mexican, North African, Michelin-starred Brasserie and Modern Greek just to begin with. But if you’re looking for more simple, straightforward American-Italian food, this won’t disappoint. Celeste sample menu

The first floor bar is cozy and very cool, with old vinyls stacked on shelves with Marvin Gaye records and a DJ loud enough to create a buzzy, fun atmosphere. The staff is young and cool, and very attentive. There’s nothing like it in Notting Hill, and it definitely feels intimate like a ‘hosted home.’ There are nibbles for sharing, should you just want to show up one night without reserving. I ran into the same neighbour twice both times I went there, she is fan: definitely a new hotspot in the making.

NHYM 2026

The Japanese restaurant on the second floor is very sleek and attractive; there is an open kitchen where the chefs prepare their plates meticulously. There are only about ten/twelve tables, of twos or fives, so again, very intimate and small. The food is very good, although on the expensive side. The hamachi starter is large and tasty, the wagyu is excellent, so good I will go back for it, but be willing to fork out £54. The salmon maki could use a bit more taste, but that’s something that could be easily fixed. Their chocolate mousse dessert is delicious and the jelly pieces really does make it a stand out dish.

The top floor, under the eaves, is a beautifully decorated space and feels like an art collector’s library, with an eclectic pick of art and books. We had a drink on our first night there, but I could see people going there for an afternoon coffee.

The crowd is a mix of locals (I saw local friends each time I went), and Maison Estelle members. They are a well heeled, international crowd, from French to Americans to Italians to Germans to Dutch and Swiss. One table next to us was a group of finance bros talking about their family ski trip to Courchevel, another table was an English ex-magazine editor with her girlfriends, and we ran into friends in the real estate business. It is definitely more grown up than the Electric’s crowd on a Saturday night, (which makes me feel like a proper grandma).

I was very curious to see how they were going to use Beach Blanket Babylon’s space, and they have used it as well as possible. It’s cozy and intimate, with a neighbourhood feel, but brings in a bit of Mayfair glamour to the ‘hood. It’s a great addition to Notting Hill, especially since it’s literally 2 minutes away from me.

You know where to find me now for drinks on a Friday night 😉

xx

NHYM