One of London’s most innovative restaurateurs, no one knows the food scene in London like Markus Thesleff. Here’s his guide to the capital…
Holland Park in Notting Hill, since 2018, with my wife and my dog. It’s hugely multicultural and feels like a village, a neighbourhood where people still say hi to each other. There’s loads of art and the food scene hits so hard.
Mimosa at the Langham hotel, where Markus Thesleff stays
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Where do you stay in London?
I love the Langham — something about the building brings old London and new London together. The other is the Pan Pacific. From the rooms to the staff and the design, I feel like I’m in a five-star luxury hotel in Asia.
Where was your first flat in London?
Growing up, I was in Battersea — my family moved here from Sweden. It wasn’t great back then, it was pretty rough. Then I had a great party flat on Westminster Bridge Road…
When I came back from uni for my summers, I worked in the family business; we did the meatballs for Ikea. A few years on, I opened my first nightclub, Pangaea. We built through the night. When the door was being replaced, we were inside working, with music on and people lined up, thinking it was a club night!
Where would you recommend for a first date?
I’m a huge fan of La Petite Maison. You can’t go wrong there. It’s guaranteed that after a couple of their Tomatinis, the edge will go. It’s probably more glam today than it ever was.
Which shop would you go to, to buy a present for your wife?
You’ll laugh, but maybe Whole Foods? She’s so into all-natural products. Otherwise, she’s not into showy stuff, it’s all about quality, so I’d search in a few little boutiques.
What’s the best meal you’ve had?
My meal of last year was Lita, I went with my wife and had steak tartare, tuna carpaccio and langoustines. The next morning, I felt I could just eat all that again right now. So moreish.
I love the city and I just want it to be better. But between the Government and the Mayor, it’s a shit show — who’s dumber?
Markus Thesleff
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I love the city and I just want it to be better. But between the Government and the Mayor, it’s a shit show — who’s dumber? Who knows how to kill a golden goose faster? On the macro level: fix the safety of the city, empower police, clean up crime. Hospitality and tourism are the soul of the city, so I’d give more attention to that. I’d fix VAT shopping too; half my black book has left town because of it. If it’s not fixed, it will be a big problem.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
Either Winston Churchill, who was a dude: timeless, totally uncompromising, and larger than life. Otherwise, it’s Queen Elizabeth II.
Markus Thesleff: ‘There’s just something beautiful and magical when London’s lit up’
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Where do you go and what do you do to have fun?
I go through the City of London at night, and down to the Thames. There’s just something beautiful and magical when London’s lit up like that. When you’re at Los Mochis City, at one end, you’ve the view of the sun setting behind St Paul’s. It just glows. On the other are Sushisamba and those towers, it’s like Singapore. I sit there, have a margarita and it’s the future and history all together, all in one.
What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?
The craziest experience I had was when I was growing up, my grandmother had Tourette’s, and I didn’t understand what it was until that cab ride. Usually we spoke in Swedish so it never struck me until the driver said, “how are you?” and she was like: “f*** you!” This 5ft 2in, 75-year-old lady! I was mortified, I was waiting for this huge cab driver to get out and kill us.
Have you ever had a run-in with a police officer?
I came out of a bar and they’d evacuated the area and I remember talking to this old-school bobby who told me it was a terrorist threat — these were IRA days. They’d just done a controlled explosion where he was standing, but he stood there like it was nothing. People don’t give them enough respect.
Those little garden squares in Mayfair, they’re little pockets of calm you don’t expect
Markus Thesleff
What’s your London secret?
Those little garden squares in Mayfair, they’re little pockets of calm you don’t expect.
Markus Thesleff says the British Museum is incredible
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What’s your favourite work of art or building in London?
I love Tellaeche’s stuff, that’s why I commission him. But growing up, I always loved Turner, which was weird given I was a kid with a mullet listening to rock music. Buildings? The British Museum is incredible.
What are you up to at the moment for work?
We have something exciting at Langham Hotel next year, and one in Grosvenor House. One is a take on Sale e Pepe called Sale e Pepe Mare. One is something new and very fun. Then we’re going to create something amazing in one of the gardens of Marylebone.
Markus Thesleff is chief executive and founder of the Thesleff Group