By Hannah Lester
There are Wednesday nights – and there are Wednesday nights that involve chilled champagne on a rooftop, Japanese fine dining, rare bottles of wine, and watching the London skyline disappear into the evening.
This autumn, CLAP London has introduced The Unlisted, a new Wednesday wine ritual designed for exactly that sort of night, and The Boutique Handbook team were among the first to try it.
Every Wednesday from 5pm until close, CLAP London’s expert sommeliers unveil a selection of 15 rare and hard-to-find wines that don’t appear on the usual wine list, with a handful also available by the glass.
The selection changes every week, so there’s a certain element of surprise to it. One week might bring a dry, elegant Domaine Roulot from Meursault; another could introduce a fruity, gently spiced Argentinian red, or a bottle of Nyetimber 1086.
The idea is less about knowing exactly what you’re going to order and more about letting the evening unfold around the wine. And at CLAP London, there’s certainly plenty to drink it with.
CLAP London restaurant review
Sunset champagne and a darker side of Knightsbridge
Hidden seven floors up on the rooftops of Knightsbridge, alongside designer shops and landmark department store Harrods, CLAP London feels a world away from the busy streets outside.
We arrived before sundown, which gave us the perfect excuse to start the evening with a glass of chilled champagne on CLAP London’s roof terrace.
With the London skyline stretching out around us, we watched the sun slowly disappear over the city before heading inside for dinner. It’s a particularly lovely way to begin an evening at CLAP London, giving you a chance to take in the panoramic views as the city shifts from dusk to nightfall.
Inside, the atmosphere is dark, seductive and unapologetically glamorous. Pinpoint lighting falls directly onto each table, illuminating the food in front of you while leaving the rest of the room cocooned in shadow. It’s a clever effect. You can properly appreciate the plates arriving at the table without losing that intimate, late-night feeling.
As the evening progressed and the lights of Harrods began to sparkle outside, the whole restaurant became even more atmospheric. The service matches the setting, from the moment we sat down, there was a real sense of attention without anything feeling overly formal.
Our napkins were placed on our laps before we’d even had the chance to think about it. While the head server was an absolute delight. Full of charisma, warmth and the kind of personality that makes an evening feel memorable, rather than simply well served.
Japanese flavours, with plenty of theatre
The newly-reimagined à la carte menu at CLAP London, from celebrated chef Reif Othman, takes Japanese cuisine and gives it a distinctly modern, indulgent edge.
We began with the truffled edamame, a deceptively moreish dish that set the tone for the meal ahead. Next came the thinly sliced raw Angus beef. The meat was cut almost impossibly fine and topped with a delicate layer of crispy nori.
The combination of textures was excellent, particularly alongside the bright, tantalising yuzu dressing. It’s one of those dishes that looks deceptively simple, until you take a bite and realise just how much is going on.
We paired this with the crispy beef salad, which genuinely blew our minds. There’s not much point in trying to explain exactly why. You simply have to try it for yourself.
What struck us throughout the meal was just how well balanced everything was. Even the richer, more indulgent dishes had something fresh, acidic or savoury cutting through them, keeping every bite interesting.
The Wagyu katsu sando was another particularly photogenic arrival: Golden, crisp toasted bread encasing beautifully pink beef, with rich sauce and Japanese-inspired accompaniments. It’s the sort of dish that demands to be photographed before anyone is allowed to eat it. And we did.
Then there’s the Josper roasted bone marrow, served with grilled snow crab tartare and brioche buns. Unapologetically rich, wonderfully decadent, and exactly the kind of dish that makes a long dinner feel like an occasion.
Other menu highlights included Wagyu short ribs with yakiniku sauce and spring onion salad, to roasted lobster finished with herb seaweed butter and umami crumb.
The wine is the real Wednesday excuse
Of course, the food is only half of the proposition. The appeal of The Unlisted Wednesday night wine ritual is that it gives you a reason to return.
As the selection of 15 wines changes each week, there’s no fixed list to work your way through – and no guarantee that the bottle you discover this Wednesday will still be there the next. This makes it feel more like a wine treasure hunt than a conventional wine promotion.
And there’s something rather special about settling into a dark Knightsbridge restaurant on a Wednesday evening, ordering a bottle you might not ordinarily come across, and letting dinner stretch out.
CLAP London has its own sommelier on hand to talk you through the selection, advise on pairings, and help you discover something you might not have chosen yourself. That extra level of expertise adds to the feeling of cosy exclusivity that makes The Unlisted experience feel like more than simply a new wine list.
By the time the glasses are empty, the lights of Brompton Road are glowing outside and the last plate has disappeared. And Wednesday suddenly feels like a much better day of the week…
The Unlisted runs every Wednesday from 5pm until 12.30am, with 15 off-list wines available by the bottle and a limited selection available by the glass. The wine selection changes weekly. Prices start from £17 for dishes from the à la carte menu
Address: Find CLAP London at 12-14 Basil Street, Knightsbridge London SW3 1AJ
Social media: Follow them on Instagram @claplondon
Book a table at CLAP London
*The Boutique Handbook’s visit was complimentary, but we always give honest reviews
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5 FAQs on CLAP London restaurant
1. Is CLAP London one of the best Japanese restaurants in Knightsbridge?
CLAP London is a contemporary Japanese restaurant in Knightsbridge, combining modern Japanese food with glamorous interiors and a rooftop terrace. The menu includes sushi, seafood, Wagyu beef and sharing plates, making it a stylish option for anyone searching for the best Japanese restaurants in Knightsbridge or central London.
2. What are the best rooftop restaurants in Knightsbridge, London?
CLAP London is one if the best rooftop restaurants in Knightsbridge. Located on the seventh floor close to Harrods, it’s a good choice for rooftop dining in London, whether you’re looking for cocktails and sunset drinks, or Japanese food followed by drinks on the terrace.
3. Where can you eat Wagyu beef in London?
If you’re looking for a London restaurant serving Wagyu beef, CLAP London has several Wagyu dishes on its contemporary Japanese menu. Highlights include Wagyu katsu sando and Wagyu short ribs, alongside sushi, seafood and other Japanese-inspired dishes designed for sharing.
4. What are the best restaurants near Harrods in Knightsbridge?
CLAP London is just moments from Harrods on Basil Street, making it a convenient option for lunch, dinner or drinks after shopping in Knightsbridge.
5. Is CLAP London worth visiting?
CLAP London is worth considering if you’re looking for a stylish Japanese restaurant in Knightsbridge with rooftop dining, Wagyu dishes and an impressive wine selection. The restaurant also hosts The Unlisted, a Wednesday wine experience featuring rare and unusual bottles that aren’t usually available on CLAP London’s main wine list.
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