Jago is the first restaurant from Louis Solley, who used to head up Ottolenghi in Notting Hill.
He's now opening an all-day restaurant in Shoreditch with a focus on European, Middle-Eastern and Ashkenazi influenced cuisine.
What you need to know about Jago
The name Jago comes from the former name of the (formerly slightly dodgy) area the restaurant is opening in. It was for an area from Shoreditch High Street to Spitalfields in the 1860s when "the area was a notorious slum full of thieves, prostitutes and gin palaces, made popular in its namesake novel by Arthur Morrison, A Child of the Jago."
The people behind it come with experience of Ottolenghi and Morito. Head Chef Louis Solley was formerly Head Chef of Ottolenghi, Notting Hill and was looking to start a solo venture. He's joined up with Hugo Thurston who was previously General Manager of Morito in Exmouth Market.
The food will have a southern European, Middle Eastern and Ashkenazi influence - so there will be a touch of Solley's East-London Jewish roots too. It's an all day restaurants and dishes will include:
- Grilled Challah bread with labneh and house compote (£4.50)
- Fresh figs, goat’s curd, honey, toasted coriander (£5.50)
- Spiced baked beans and eggs (£6.00).
- Grilled cauliflower, endive, almonds and sultanas (£6)
- Cured cucumbers, dill, anchovies, sour cream and sweet paprika (£6)
- Miso marinated onglet (£6)
- Harissa marinated mackerel (£6).
- Grilled apples and sardines, walnuts and rainbow chard (£7.50)
- Prawn bisque, bomba rice and parsley oil (£7)
- Stewed octopus, roast fennel and lovage yoghurt (£10.00)
- Braised lamb, dates and carrots, black olive and parsley picada (£14.00)
- Poached quince, saffron cream and sable biscuit (£6)
- Chocolate and olive oil mousse, sea salt and hazelnuts (£6)
- Pina Colada – rum soaked coconut and lime cake, grilled pineapple and Malibu cream (£6)
The wine list will focus on Spain and the South of France - and it'll be pretty affordable too, starting at 125ml from £3, 250ml from £6 and a carafe from £12. Alongside these, cocktails and craft beer too. And they'll be working with local roasters like Workshop on the coffee.
And it looks like it'll ba a good Almost Alfresco spot too, with a conservatory facing onto Hanbury Street.
Where is it? 68-80 Hanbury Street, London E1 5JL
And when does it open? Mid November
To find out more, follow Jago on Twitter @jagorestaurant.
Photo: Cat Byers
