Oded Oren is opening his own restaurant Oren in Dalston

Gavin Hanly 16 September 2019

Update - read our test Drive of Oren here.

What: Oren

In a nutshell: Med food residency goes permanent

Summing it all up: After multiple residencies across town, Oded Oren is opening his own restaurant in Dalston. Expect Mediterranean food with a touch of Tel Aviv.

The low-down

He's been popping up in residencies across town but now Oded Oren is getting ready to open his own restaurant in Dalston, called Oren.

The chef, who originates from Tel Aviv, will continue to concentrate on the food that's been popular at the residencies. According to a post on Instagram, he'll once again be cooking "food that is inspired from my home and the Mediterranean using local and sustainable produce". He's also teaming up with wine legend Zeren Wilson who'll be producing the list for Oren, so expect something special there. Oren is promising an ever-changing seasonal menu, a weekend brunch and more.

Here's what's planned for the starting menu::

Ox Cheek and Hummus, made with the finest tahini in Israel from Mount Gerizim
Grilled lamb sweetbreads and za’atar
Cured sardines with Cretan olive oil
Brill tartar with raw courgette and ‘laben kishk’
Burnt aubergine with Mount Gerizim tahini.
Monkfish ‘chraime’ and hand rolled cous cous
Chargrilled hake kebabs and sheep’s yoghurt
Freekeh - smoked green wheat with Westcobmbe dairy ricotta and fresh herbs
Cardamom panna cotta with lemon verbena

Plus - something we're hoping to see at the brunch - he's also been working on a Jerusalem mixed grill (with tahini and turmeric pickled mango) served in a pita. Brunch will also feature "Sabich" - that's sweet aubergines, egg and salad in a pita.

It's a 35 seater restaurant and will have a bar area which adds some more snacks. Touted for that menu are "Roasted Jerusalem artichokes with labneh" and "hazelnuts with spicy lamb’s brain". So not your usual bar snacks, then.

Oded Oren is opening his own restaurant Oren in Dalston