Just when you thought you’d seen it all on London’s ever-eventful restaurant scene, you get wind of a high-end, kebabs-only chef’s table coming to London.
Launching underneath purveyors of pimped-up kebabs Maison Bab in Covent Garden, the brilliantly named Kebab Queen will open its doors this April.
Kebab Queen's head chef was inspired by his travels to Turkey
Led by Manu Canales, formerly sous chef at Le Gavroche, Kebab Queen will serve a seven-course tasting menu, with guests encouraged to eat with their hands (perhaps a homage to the humble, late-night kebabs of old?)
The chef’s table is hidden behind the illuminated façade of a classic British kebab shop, with dishes cooked on a custom wood-fired grill, before being served directly onto a heated Dekton countertop (no fiddly bits like plates and cutlery here, thank you very much.)
Dishes are served directly on to a countertop, sans plates
The multi-course menu kicks off with two starters, including the likes of a foie gras kebabito: a miniature, two-bite kebab of barbecued foie gras. Other dishes you’ll come across include a doner risotto (lamb jus risotto finished with classic garnishes and shavings of lamb tongue), and a fish course of chargrilled shish kebab of monkfish, served with chicken skin and ‘plated’ onto a charred cabbage leaf.
For your main course, you’ll enjoy a rum-aged Spit Roast Fesenjan Duck. Inspired by the dish of Iranian stew, it is served with a crust of crisp Persian rice, intended to be pulled apart with your fingers. Dessert meanwhile, will be presented as ‘Got Milk?’ – an ode to Manu’s childhood, this sweet treat sees freshly-baked, sticky milk buns filled with caramelised cream and topped with crème fraiche sorbet.
Messy eaters will be glad to know that dessert is served in a dish
Diners who are lucky enough to enjoy the experience will sit front row around the kitchen, perched on one of 10 cobalt blue, leather-clad stools. Some design features echo that of a traditional kebab joint, such as the stainless steel walls, while others appear to have been designed with social media in mind – witness the pastel pink curtains and the pink tiled concrete floor.
Kebab Queen will open in early April, with private hire available. The seven-course menu, which includes petit fours, is priced at £60 per person. To book, email info@kebabqueen.com.
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