A new enchanting concept is opening right in the heart of London celebrating all things food, music and entertainment
April 2021 sees the launch of Chameleon, a new multi-experiential space set in one of London’s most dramatic venues; the Grade I listed, One Marylebone. Launching on Friday 23rd April, Chameleon will offer a Tel Avivian sharing style menu and al fresco dining in the outdoor restaurant, which is split between the Garden lounge and individually styled private Greenhouses. Other experiences include God’s Garden, our very own flower market in the courtyard, curated by Artistically Twisted, fully immersive cinema nights, magical healthy & wellness sessions with Xscape Studio, a futuristic fitness experience, Ballroom dance classes, a rotating art exhibition and lastly ‘Curious’, a new party experience & multi sensory event in the main church with headline DJ’s, 3D visuals and incredible set design.
Later in the year at Chameleon, the Club, a private space will open in the vaults under the church. Entry is gained by being a ‘friend of the house’. Select guests will be invited to be ambassadors of the secret club, allowing them to invite friends to join them. Building a community of like minded individuals.
Alex Ghalleb, the renowned restaurateur, ex-Managing Partner of Gold in Notting Hill, previously Operations Director at Grind and also General Manager at Soho House, is heading up the Operations and the driving force behind this impressive team. Ghalleb exclaims, “We’re so excited to be bringing something new to London. Chameleon is a space that offers a vibrant assortment of experiences, all to be enjoyed under one roof.”
The Restaurant
Nine beautifully-lit and styled greenhouses will feature on the east-side exterior of the historic One Marylebone building. A London first, the greenhouses will offer 4 seated private ones up to the biggest one seating up to 30 guests.
Critically-acclaimed Israeli Chef, Elior Balbul from Tel Aviv is the Executive Chef, and he and his team will offer guests an array of exquisite Tel Avivian gastro sharing plates.
Chef Elior has worked alongside the biggest names in the Israeli culinary scene. His passion for Tel Avivian food started in his mother’s kitchen, where he learnt about the authentic flavours of his Moroccan heritage. Chef Elior went on to work in the kitchen’s of Meir Adoni, one of the top three chefs in Israel. Here he was noticed for his hard work and talent, and subsequently became Head Chef at Catit, one of the most celebrated restaurants at the time. Chef Elior was later offered the role as Head Chef at the kosher Blue Sky restaurant in Tel Aviv, where he conquered the challenges posed by a kosher kitchen, and transformed Blue Sky into one of the leading restaurants in Israel.
As a natural next step, Chef Elior set off on his own path to New York, and opened a modern contemporary Israeli restaurant, Alenbi. The restaurant offered something the New York food scene had never seen before; a fine dining experience, whilst also being gourmet kosher food with Mediterranean and North African influences. Chef Elior garnered critical success for Alenbi, and he is set to bring his experience and culinary identity to the new menu at Chameleon. The menu will include dishes such as Yemen brioche challah, deconstructed falafel, aubergine carpaccio, shrimp shish Barak, Morrocan octopus and charcoal-grilled lamb sirloin with cabbage gratin. Accompanied by the Chameleon signature cocktail, The Rimon, a freshly squeezed pomegranate margarita with a twist.
The greenhouses at Chameleon will evolve per season with each individual greenhouse offering a slightly different design element. Starting with a bright, floral garden on opening in April and then transforming to a tropical-style beach club vibes for the Summer season.
The Garden
On the west side of the building’s exterior, guests will find themselves walking through God’s Garden, our beautiful flower market curated by Jason Poole & Alexandra Watson, the duo behind Artistically Twisted. As you enter through the speakeasy entrance which leads into ‘The Garden’, you’ll move into a glamorously-designed outdoor lounge which splits al fresco dining between the lounge seating and the dining tables. The focus will be on high quality cocktails and mezze plates created by Chef Elior’s team.
Open air Lounge setups and candlelit dining tables under the tent are all to be enjoyed in an ultra luxe and laid back setting. Guests can also sit back and enjoy regular entertainment from our resident DJ’s and performing artists.
Later in the year, on Sundays, The Garden & the Soane will host cinema nights with cosy seating, blankets, popcorn and drinks.
Picnic Hampers
Available from the first May Bank Holiday, Chameleon will also launch Picnic Hampers for takeaway. Londoners can order online and select their menu of choice to go inside the hamper, as well as pick premixed cocktails, wine, Aperol Spritz, Pimms and Champagne to enjoy in a nearby park or outdoor space. The perfect way to upgrade the picnic experience this summer.
The Soane
The Soane at Chameleon will be a revolving space that resides on the ground floor within the One Marylebone building. In between the Weddings and private events that will be allowed from 21st June, we will showcase different concepts, starting with magical wellness experiences in collaboration with Xscape Studio, with Sound healing sessions, yoga and weekend mindfulness festivals.
The Soane will also offer a new futuristic fitness experience – Chameleon Odyssey. Fitness fanatics can expect a 1 hour covid-certified HIIT burnout, with a capacity of up to 30 people. Sessions will be hosted by Fitness coach legend, Faisal Abdalla (Mr PMA). All classes will be immersive, in a blackout room, in a club like setting with an incredible lighting backdrop, DJs and surround sound.
Another fun addition launching this Summer is the Dance experience, each week two ballroom dance champions will host Cha Cha Cha classes in the evenings on Mondays.
‘Curious’ will launch at the end of June, a new multi sensory and surrealist event with big headline DJ’s, specialist lighting & sound design, escape rooms, theatrical sets, actors and musicians. Mixing theatre with dance and art.
The Gallery
The stunning gallery space within One Marylebone will showcase art exhibitions with new and emerging talent within the art world, as well as takeovers from unmissable world class artists.
The Club
Come Autumn this year, a 400 capacity private space is being created under the church. The Club will consist of a 120 seated Mediterranean restaurant on the mezzanine floor, all-day dining, private dining rooms, podcast room and music studio. ‘Friends of the House’ is a program we are introducing to build a familiar community of friends for the club, guests will be chosen and emailed password invitations to join through our website. The neon Jungle room, which is a private space for clients to book – think Avatar style under the tree of life. In the late night bar, our in-house band will provide live music in the evenings alongside our resident DJ’s.
Chameleon is set to breathe new life into London this 2021.