Ella Canta Brings the Best of Mexican Cuisine to London

Modern Mexican is the latest international food trend, and one of fall’s most anticipated openings is Ella Canta at the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel. Renowned Mexico City chef Martha Ortiz, known for her bold flavors and colorful style (it runs in the family; her mother, Martha Chapa, is an artist and cookbook author), plans refined dishes like duck with a rich 27-ingredient black mole sauce, and the masa tortillas will be made from corn imported from Mexico. The interiors, by David Collins Studio, reference Mexican modernists; a 150-foot-long, floor-to-ceiling installation of hand-carved walnut was inspired by the work of mid-century furniture designer Eugenio Escudero.

Other design touches, including hand-painted amate-bark wall coverings and a mosaic travertine floor, evoke the landscapes of Oaxaca. Opens September 15. ellacanta.com

David Collins Studio took inspiration for the restaurant’s palette from the landscape of Oaxaca, Mexico. Photo: Courtesy of David Collins Studio

The floor is a chopped travertine mosaic, while custom wall lighting are composed of handmade ceramics in concave and convex designs. Photo: Courtesy of David Collins Studio

A walnut screen, running the length of the restaurant, features hand-carved organic shapes inspired by mid-century Mexican furniture designer Eugenio Escadero. Photo: Courtesy of David Collins Studio

In the bar, large circular glass sculptures, inspired by Mexican artist Feliciano Bejar, distort movement seen through the windows. Photo: Courtesy of David Collins Studio