A modern Moroccan venture called Tagine & Grill has this week taken up long-term residency at The Sun and 13 Cantons, the Soho pub well-known as a launch-pad for interesting new restaurants.
Founder Yassir Chair grew up in Morocco and moved to London at the age of 20, initially to study. He is also the man behind burger operation Afuego, which has residencies in five pubs across the capital.
He says: “Moroccan cuisine is still underrated in London and hasn’t received the recognition it deserves. With Tagine & Grill, I want to introduce people to the richness of Moroccan food and culture through bold flavours, charcoal grilling and a modern approach that feels exciting and accessible.”
Tagine & Grill offers signature kebabs served on flatbread and layered with sauces, herbs and pickles, from a choice including Chargrilled chicken thigh with ras-el-hanout dressing, harissa mayo and lime; Chargrilled lamb kofta with lemon and mint yoghurt, pickled red cabbage, coriander and chilli sauce, and Harissa-glazed halloumi kebab with pomegranate and coriander. Other plates include King prawn Tangier bastila ‘cigars’, and a different tagine will be offered each week.
The Sun & 13 Cantons has served as a testing-ground for, among others, Asma Khan’s Darjeeling Express, Rishim Sachdeva’s Tendril and Mandy Yin’s Sambal Shiok. Most recently, Cambodian diner Mamapen has moved on after a two-year residency, with chef Kaneda Pen promising to announce a new permanent site for his Khmer cuisine imminently.
