PRESIDENTS, royalty, musicians and Hollywood stars have all walked through the luminous, modernist entrance and grand lobby of the iconic 1960’s building designed to serve as the United States Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London.
Following a transformation within the original building, The Chancery Rosewood opened its doors as a new chapter for this remarkable landmark — a hotel and cultural destination where dining, intimate bars, art, conversation, and social connection come together.
Mezze and Rose at ‘Serra’ © Chantal Arnts
Through the magnificent glass panels of ‘Serra’ – the all-day dining, ground-floor restaurant – daylight and the night-time sky are framed in ever-changing harmony.
The name ‘Serra’ — the Italian word for greenhouse or glasshouse — evokes a sense of connection between the interior and the natural world beyond – the warmth of sunlight, the glow of moonlight, and the primal allure of fire.
Alex Povall, Serra’s Chef de Cuisine, first made his mark at Berenjak, the acclaimed Persian restaurant in London’s Soho, where he developed a deep appreciation for the richness and warmth found in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Drawing on his strong foundations in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, Povall and his team bring a thoughtful perspective to Serra, turning his attention to the sun-drenched flavours of Southern Italy and Greece. His cuisine celebrates generous sharing plates, seasonal ingredients, and the joy of gathering around the table.
‘Serra’ inside the dining room © Chantal Arnts
Using seasonal ingredients, Povall creates a menu where fire and tradition come together. Highlights include a whipped ricotta flatbread with ‘Nduja and Cime di Rapa, with creamy richness, gentle spice, and the character of southern Italy; and a grilled Corno pepper with green harissa and pistachio, a dish that captures the colour, freshness, and aromatic spirit of the region.
A special Mezze selection — featuring Muhammara, Labneh, Baba Ganoush, and freshly baked pitta — invites guests to share and linger, embracing the convivial rituals of Mediterranean dining. Handmade pasta showcases the season through gnocchi with courgettes, basil, peas, and Pecorino Romano, while the grilled seabass with globe artichoke, agretti, saffron, and mussel broth reflects the delicate balance of land and sea.
From the sizzling flavours of the fire-grilled lamb to the comforting sweetness of Date & Sesame Pudding, Povall’s menu is an expression of flavour and pleasure
‘Serra’ through the glass windows © Chantal Arnts
An emphasis on wines by-the-glass allows guests to pair wines with each course. This freedom in selection transforms dinner into a journey of exploration, where every pairing becomes a new conversation between food, wine, and the moment.
For cocktail enthusiasts, the Sherry Cobbler offers a sophisticated reinterpretation of the 19th-century American classic, bringing together Diplomático Planas rum, Tio Pepe Fino Sherry, cacao, raspberry, and lemon in a beautifully balanced opportunity to time-travel through flavours, to the Antebellum era.
Elegance and grace at ‘Serra’ restaurant © Chantal Arnts
For those seeking a non-alcoholic alternative, the ‘Giant of Sequals’ — named after the Italian town of Sequals — is an intriguing creation of herbal, bitter, and citrus notes, closer in spirit to a refined aperitivo than a traditional mocktail. The ‘Fruit Cup’ captures another garden-inspired mood, with aromatic fruit, freshness, and a Mediterranean sensibility that reflects Serra’s connection to the landscapes and flavours of Southern Europe.
The restaurant, ‘Serra’ with it’s sun-kissed and fire-licked cuisine within the elegant modernism of the Chancery Rosewood, is a setting where the symbolism of storied diplomacy meets the inviting warmth of hospitality.
by Susie Babchick