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Lucky Cat: First look at Gordon Ramsay’s new Asian-inspired restaurant in Mayfair

The Standard can exclusively reveal the first images of Gordon Ramsay’s new Mayfair restaurant, Lucky Cat.

The restaurant, which describes itself as an “Asian eating house”, opens today (June 24) in the West End, and is the first major London opening for the multi Michelin-starred chef in more than a decade.

Lucky Cat opens inside the former home of Maze in Grosvenor Square, another restaurant owned by Ramsay which closed earlier this year.

The interior of the restaurant has undergone an extensive makeover, with the new design drawing cues from the underground Kissa jazz clubs of early 20th century Tokyo.

Speaking to the Standard, Ramsay said “The restaurant has been designed in a way that ensures every table in the house will offer an exciting perspective, drawing inspiration from the incredible urban Tokyo in the 1930s."

"Our guests can expect something really special from Lucky Cat. We’ve taken inspiration from our many trips to the Far East over the years, where we have found Asian ingredients and flavours to be some of the best in the world. So to use these experiences and influences and add our own spin, is really exciting.

"It’s great to see this long time vision come to life," Ramsay added, "and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests.”

Up close: The Kasai Chef's Table at Lucky Cat
Up close: The Kasai Chef's Table at Lucky Cat

Designed by the AfroditiKrassa studio, the art deco-influenced interior includes a ceiling installation made with Uchiwa fans, displays of rare Japanese knives, and a cast-brass bamboo bar facade.

Throughout the dining rooms are curved brass screens, black bamboo panelling and antique mirrors, alongside Japanese indigo-dyed fabrics.

Cats are a motif across the restaurant, from subtle cat tail hooks to an entire Maneki cat wall in the bar, populated with 300 bespoke ceramic statues of cats.

The dining areas include multiple chef’s tables, a Raw Bar selling sushi and sashimi and three private dining rooms.

The menu has been designed by Ramsay in collaboration with Lucky Cat’s head chef Ben Orpwood. Although largely Japanese-focused, an eclectic array of dishes take inspiration from multiple Asian cuisines, with plates ranging from a Burmese crab masala to slow-grilled turbot with Thai basil.

In the months following Lucky Cat's announcement, the venture has faced accusations of cultural appropriation. It now no longer uses the word "authentic" in its branding.

Lucky Cat is now open at 10 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1K 6JP, gordonramsayrestaurants.com