Leading West African restaurant Akoko has applied for a new premises licence that would see it moving across Fitzrovia from Berners Street to Wells Street. Westminster Council invited members of the public to comment on the proposed move by July 8. The application covers the ground floor and basement of the premises at 14-16 Wells […]
A 100-year-old landmark Birmingham hotel abandoned for the past decade will reopen tomorrow as a Nigerian restaurant called Empress. The former Dogpool Hotel in Stirchley has been revived by husband-and-wife team Olusegun Akande and Oyetola Isla, who aim to showcase the richness of their national cuisine. Olusegun says: “We saw potential in this historic site […]
An ambitious new West African restaurant has opened with little fanfare in Baker Street. Shakara, close to Marylebone’s Chiltern Firehouse, offers cooking inspired by Nigeria, Ghana and The Gambia accompanied by live music. Chef Ayo Adeyemi has helped curate the opening menu following a two-year stint at highly rated restaurant Akoko, while former MasterChef: The […]
Senegalese London restaurant Little Baobab is hosting a launch party tonight to mark its permanent new perch at Peckham Levels. Founder Khadim Mane, aka Khadim Mbamba, has run the business on a more informal basis for the past eight years, offering catering services alongside pop-ups and residencies around north and east London. Originally from Dakar, […]
London’s thriving Nigerian restaurant scene received a double boost this week with the news that hit Brixton restaurant Chishuru is looking for bigger premises while an ambitious new dining and entertainment venue will open near Smithfield Market in Farringdon. The Patio is taking over the former site of Bird of Smithfield, a five-storey building that […]
London’s growing ranks of upscale African restaurants will be swelled this month with the launch of Isibani, under Nigerian-born chef Victor Okunowo (pictured), at the very plushest of addresses on Knightsbridge Green. Meaning “bring the light” in Zulu, Isibani’s founders describe it as “a love letter to West African cuisine” and a celebration of their […]
Ikoyi, the high-flying restaurant bringing West African flavours to London’s West End, is to move from its small premises in St James’s, behind Piccadilly Circus, to a bigger site nearby. Yet to be confirmed, the mostly likely candidate is the Brutalist landmark 180 The Strand building, recently converted into a cultural centre. If Ikoyi does […]
One of London’s most high profile openings of 2017, Ikoyi, is introducing quite a sea change (geddit?!) for the new year. The West African-influenced restaurant has announced an entire new menu that is almost completely dedicated to seafood. Retaining the restaurant’s essence, the new dishes are born from creativity inspired by West African ingredients applied to […]
