A Hot Dinners exclusive
London's growing West African restaurant scene is getting bigger with new restaurant Isibani, heading to Knightsbridge. Set up by Anthony Douglas Chuka and Abdul Malik Abubakar, the duo are describing it as "a love letter to West African cuisine".
Leading the restaurant's food will be head chef Victor Okunowo, previously at Talking Drum in Peckham, The Wolseley and Chiltern Firehouse. You will have also seen him as a semi-finalist on BBC MasterChef The Professionals in 2020. His menu is described as an elevated interpretation of childhood recipes from Nigeria, using authentic techniques and ingredients passed down through the generations.
On that menu will be:
- Mackerel, iru, apple & celery tartlet
- Jerk poussin taco, pimento mayo, baby gem, heritage tomatoes & escabeche
- Smoked monkfish fillet, charred okra, kachumbari, sea herbs & brown shrimp
- Jollof rice, grilled broccoli, fermented scotch bonnet
- Chicken kiev, offal nkowbi, onions, peach
- Pap pannacotta, tamarind, baobab sorbet
- Mascarpone rice pudding, banana, gari, supermalt ice cream
The restaurant itself is on Knightbridge Green, just behind the Bulgari hotel, and they're pitching it as a neighbourhood restaurant with hints of the glitz and glamour of the local area. They'll also have a very handy 1st-floor roof terrace.
Of the restaurant, Okunowo says: "The menu is a very personal one and draws inspiration from my childhood and the flavours I grew up eating in Nigeria. I want it to be a fun place where people can enjoy great food, wine and company."
More about Isibani
Where is it? 9 Knightsbridge Green, London SW1X 7QL
When does it open? 19 July 2022
Soft launch details: For the first two weeks their daily changing 8-course set menu will be at a special price of £25
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @isibani.london.
Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners
