On 21 February 2023, Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa opened JOIA, an Iberian restaurant situated over the top floors of the new art’otel London Battersea Power Station. Sá Pessoa, one of Portugal’s most celebrated chefs, also operates the two Michelin-starred Alma and the relaxed trans-Iberian tapas spot Tapisco (both in Lisbon). He is also the Executive Chef at the critically acclaimed ARCA restaurant (located in art’otel Amsterdam).
The menu at JOIA showcases Sá Pessoa’s culinary heritage and is influenced by the robust flavours and cooking techniques of Catalonia and Portugal, using the best of British and Iberian produce. Chef Sá Pessoa’s uncompromising vision, wealth of experience and exacting attention to detail is evident throughout JOIA’s carefully crafted menu, which offers diners a taste of the Mediterranean in a London setting.JOIA meaning ‘jewel’ in Portuguese comprises a 14th floor bar and an 85-cover restaurant on the 15th floor, both overlooking the iconic Battersea Power Station, which opened its doors to the public in October 2022 .
Guests can begin their culinary journey at JOIA with a selection of Snacks, Petiscos and Tapas, including La Bomba de Lisbon – Henrique’s signature croquette made with potato and traditional Portuguese Alheira sausage, served with tomato and sofrito sauce – and octopus salad with red pepper, potato and smoked paprika, a modern interpretation of classic Portuguese fare.
Diners will then find a selection of larger plates including Bacalhau à brás – salted cod with shoestring potatoes, parsley, black olive served with an raw egg yolk and mixed tableside for an engaging dining experience set against the dramatic backdrop of the London skyline. Other highlights from JOIA’s menu include:
Peixinhos da horta; tempura green beans with pickle mayo
Grilled leeks with romesco with rocket and hazelnut salad
Salted Cod Esqueixada with pickled red onion, orange and black olives
Arroz de Cogumelos; wild mushroom rice with Azores Island cheese
Grilled Carabineiro prawns with orzo bisque and coriander
Grilled Txuleton; 30 day aged Salamancan black angus forerib
JOIA’s pastry chef has developed a menu of innovative desserts that celebrate sweet and savoury flavours to create something truly unique. Guests can enjoy a traditional Pao de Lo – a light and airy sponge cake served with a goat’s cheese ice cream to balance out the sweetness, and the dark chocolate mousse, which has been reimagined to include sherry caramel and a serving of savoury chorizo ice cream.
Set across the 14th floor, JOIA bar offers a creative cocktail list from Bar Manager Alessandro Mannello. Each cocktail takes inspiration from JOIA’s namesake with a list of 12 signature cocktails inspired and named after gems from the region, reflecting both their colour and delicate qualities. There is the Safira Rosa, a mezcal-based cocktail with elderflower, grapefruit soda and rose petal water; the Pèrola, a mix of peach liqueur, rhubarb bitters and champagne; and the Esmeralda, a basil-infused gin cocktail with mint &matcha cordial. Cocktails sit alongside a broad list of Portuguese and Spanish wines and vermouths, with a particular focus on lesser-known producers. But for those looking for something more traditional, there will be Opalas, JOIA’s modern take on a sangria, uniquely made using a mix of clarified red wine and white port, combined with agave nectar and served with mixed fruit.
JOIA’s interior design, by Russell Sage Studio, takes inspiration from the art deco style of the Power Station, mixed with modern touches and mid-century influences. By day, the restaurant is filled with natural light from the floor to ceiling windows, complementing the muted palette of pinks and greens repeated throughout the space. Adjacent to the kitchen pass is a chef’s table positioned within the restaurant, rather than in a private area, offering views over both Power Station and the kitchen. The restaurant also houses a sommelier station visible from all points of the restaurant, bringing a touch of theatre to the dining experience. Guests in search of JOIA bar descend a grand staircase, recalling old school glamour and parties of the 1920s.
A large L-shaped bar is the focal point of the space with a marble top with brass accents and a ribbed timber front, painted pink in keeping with the colour palette of the restaurant upstairs. The bar is framed by a scenic decorated double height wall, mirroring features present in the restaurant.
For more information about JOIA, please see here.
