Babylon at the Roof Gardens was last week named Toptable Best Restaurant in the 2008 Visit London Peoples Choice Awards, just weeks after reopening from an extensive refurbishment.
Babylon, one of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition private collection of retreats, was awarded the accolade after hundreds of Londoners voted through the Evening Standard and Capital FM websites.
Kirsten Falk, General Manager of Babylon, said the award topped a great year for the restaurant, which has just reopened following a two-week refurbishment. “We are absolutely delighted, I think it’s just been an incredible year for Babylon as a whole. The restaurant has transformed over the last few years and like any good recipe I think the success is based on a combination of ingredients. I think most importantly there is a lot of passion within the team, and from what the guests are telling us and from what we feel as well, it just has soul and I think that lifts it a bit from any other restaurant in London.”
Babylon was this year awarded its second AA rosette, while its refurbishment has seen the restaurant transform into a decadent and trendy space, with a look that is reminiscent of the iconic fashion brand Biba, which occupied the building in the 1970s.
Hosted by Capital FM Breakfast Show presenters Johnny Vaughan and Lisa Snowdon, the Peoples Choice Awards, which are now in their fifth year, ‘recognise and reward excellence in London tourism and also honour leaders in entertainment, creativity and innovation’.
Several Industry Awards were also presented on the night, which saw Vinopolis, the Barbican, Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury, the Royal Lancaster Hotel and The Sumner Hotel receive accolades judged by their peers in the hospitality and tourism industry.