15/03/26

Review of Lucky Cat - 22 Bishopsgate

22 Bishopsgate’s crystalline structure shoots up from the hustle and bustle of London’s Square Mile. Its almost icy peak promises peace and tranquillity from the traffic below. Gordon Ramsay has taken the helm of this magnificent building, gradually transforming its uppermost floors into multiple culinary experiences in arguably his biggest and most challenging undertaking to date. Promising 360° panoramic views and flavour-packed, Asian-inspired food, Gordon Ramsay has taken his Lucky Cat restaurant to quite literally new heights, and we couldn’t wait to try it out.

On arrival, we are guided up a series of security checkpoints, escalators and front-of-house team members to find “the lift”. The instruction is “don’t call the lift”, which sort of has you feeling on one hand, special, like the lift knows you are here, but also slightly anxious (does it really know we are here?). Fortunately it was the latter, and before we knew it we are rocketing up 60 floors at some speed.

For a statement restaurant, by a household-name restaurateur in a statement building, we are expecting something special and it delivered in bucketloads. Industrial girders and exposed ductwork take on an almost god-like presence, looming behind sophisticated globes of planetary lighting. A ginormous dining area of dark wood and luxurious marble finishes sweeps round a lantern-endowed bar. The 360º windows provide a panorama of London rarely experienced. In the UK, only the Shard is taller.

The menu offers largely Japanese options, dotted with other Asian influences: Raw Bar, Sashimi, Maki, Meat, Fish and a whole world of Wagyu. We feel totally comfortable selecting a few dishes to start sharing, then adding to the order as we see fit.

Each dish has the exquisite and delicate presentation you’d hope for. The sashimi selection of sea bass, yellowtail and salmon is so wonderfully soft, almost buttery in texture. Maki with a salty wagyu hat are divine, and the baby squid is so light and crisp. Our prawn and lobster gyozas are insane, a veritable umami mouth party (deffo a firm favourite).

We move onto meat and fish with beautifully charred slices of iberico pork, drizzled with mustard seeds. A side of kimchi-pickled gem dials the flavour up a few notches. Perhaps our favourite dish of the day is a triumphant Korean-spiced black cod. The delicate white fish is dressed to the nines in a vibrant and punchy sauce, it’s out to impress, and it succeeds.

An apple treacle cake, which looks as good as it tastes, rounds up a spectacular lunch. A sailboat-esque sweet structure with thin apple sails changes flavour as it sails past your tastebuds.

Any Lucky Cat establishment, let’s face it, is a treat. It may not be somewhere you’re going to drop into every day for lunch or an after-work dinner. But dining out should be a treat, and 22 Bishopsgate is an experience to behold. We don’t want to do the food a disservice by urging you to go just for the view, but my word it is spectacular and as it happens, the food is every bit as good as the vista. Hats off, Gordon.

Address: 22 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ

For more information or to book click here.

Written by Rick Hartley

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Fashion District Festival – London’s Sustainable Fashion Event Returns to Spitalfields this June

May 19, 2025
2 min read

Fashion District is set to take over Spitalfields in East London with its highly anticipated 2025 Festival, a six-day celebration of sustainable, circular, and regenerative fashion running from 3rd to 8th June 2025.

Partnering with SXSW London and supported by the London College of Fashion, UAL, the festival is divided into four key themes – SHOP, WATCH, MAKE, and GROW – each highlighting innovative and planet-positive fashion initiatives.

SHOP: The curated pop-up at 30a Spital Square will host a selection of upcycled, preloved, and repair brands, featuring emerging designers specialising in resale, natural dyes, and craftsmanship. Events include Omnifix’s repair clinic, Alterist’s piercing-inspired upcycling studio on June 6th, Verte London’s swap shop on June 7th, along with professional sneaker cleaning by Vamp, and the 1000 Jeans Challenge, which encourages denim repair.

WATCH: On Tuesday 3rd June, 8-9 pm will be a one-off fashion performance by Alexander Whitley Dance Company, styled by Kim Howells and featuring designs by Dr. Noki and Maximilian Raynor, fusing fashion, choreography, and technology in a live showcase. Additionally, on 4th June at 5-8 pm, IoDF will present OPIA’s ‘RAVECONOMY’ installation, a provocative exploration of London’s underground ‘partygirl’ economy.

MAKE: Attendees can participate in hands-on workshops led by industry leaders. Highlights include, how to knit a bag out of two t-shirts with Geo Knits Slow on Thursday 5th June. Learn to create your own biomaterials with Biodesign Collective and transform discarded household items into wearable pop accessories with Clara Chu on Friday 6th June.

Another highlight is the opportunity to embroider a unique treasure pouch using fabric scraps, appliqué and found objects in a hands-on workshop with textiles designer Lauren Paul on Saturday 7th June, alongside a workshop to design personalised patches with master upcycler Dani Dawkins.

GROW: Will host a series of panel discussions and roundtables to connect entrepreneurs, brands, and investors and explore key topics like regenerative fashion and circular design. Notable sessions include ‘Spin Ventures: Accelerating Regenerative Fashion’ on 5th June, the ‘Past and Future Fabrics’ panel featuring Mary Fellowes and Safia Minney MBE on 6th June, and the ‘Circular Design Practice’ session facilitated by Laetitia Forst and Shailja Dube.

For more information on the festival and to book tickets and see the full line-up of events and workshops visit https://www.fashion-district.co.uk

Written by Claire Bloom

Photography courtesy of Spitafields