King’s Social House
A High Altitude Social Dining Experience
Famed as the oldest nightclub in Switzerland, King’s Club at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel has enjoyed a distinguished reputation as a legendary night spot for generations of St. Moritz jetsetters. The new year sees it re-born as King’s Social House in collaboration with celebrated British chef and restaurateur, Jason Atherton.
Co-owner of The Social Company, Jason Atherton launched his flagship London restaurant, Pollen Street Social in 2011, which was awarded a coveted Michelin star within six months of opening. Since then, the Social Company has grown into a global restaurant group, wining multiple awards and accolades for their contribution to the UK restaurant scene. They now operate seven acclaimed London restaurants, three of which hold Michelin stars, and a further eight international outposts in Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York, The Philippines and Dubai.
A keen skier, Atherton has long cited St. Moritz as his favourite ski destination and is excited to contribute to its growing gastronomic landscape. A true passion project, Atherton comments, “I enjoy the energy and excitement of skiing and want to echo this in a dining experience for customers that is somewhere they can socialise and integrate. The service, atmosphere and sharing plates on the menu encourage a sociable dining experience; a place where people can visit not only for the food quality but as a truly special place where they can be comfortable and cherish time with loved ones.”
The new restaurant, bar and nightclub creates an illustrious setting and atmospheric hub as the perfect foil to Badrutt’s Palace Hotel’s nine distinctive dining facilities. A chic yet informal approach, synonymous with St. Moritz’s signature style, will transform the new space into an animated dining and dancing venue that evolves as the evening progresses into a high-energy nightclub with low lighting and bespoke design features. A mural painting by Swiss street artist duo, Bane + Pest, will create a showstopping centerpiece that reflects the creativity and versatility of the food.
Guests to King’s Social House can expect a selection of Atherton’s famed sharing plates with wood-fired meat and fish dishes designed to create a social environment and an entertaining, interactive dining experience. British influences such as Atherton’s flavoursome Pork Pie Trolley will combine with locally sourced, seasonal produce.
Manning Atherton’s first Swiss venue will be Head Chef Marcus Rohlen. Swedish-born Rohlen joined Pollen Street Social in 2011 as Junior Sous Chef before rising to Head Chef of Social Wine & Tapas in London’s Marylebone. At the company’s first alpine outpost, Rohlen will oversee a menu that includes dishes such as roasted wild mushroom ‘served in a bag’ cep toast, truffle morels ‘fondue’ and roasted lobster served with triple cooked duck fat chips. A slick drinks offering served at the beautifully designed central bar will include champagne, punches, mulled and classic cocktails, making it an excellent venue for celebrations.
As St. Moritz is increasingly recognised as a culinary wonderland showcasing international gastronomic talent, King’s Social House joins this creative collection and endeavours to provide an experience that complements Badrutt’s Palace Hotel’s sophisticated but playful history and Atherton’s inimitable social dining experiences.
Rich in heritage and spilling with stories, Badrutt’s Palace’s esteemed guests from Rita Hayworth to Alfred Hitchcock have long enjoyed its spirited approach to hospitality. Managing Director Richard Leuenberger comments, “Much like the surrounding hotel, the aim was to create a spirited and interactive atmosphere that provides a sense of occasion and yet lacks pretention. We are thrilled to be working with such a skilled chef and restauranteur and look forward to an eventful winter season.