The main restaurant at Tatale (you can see another section at the back, and the open kitchen is off to the right)
What can you tell us about Tatale?
This is the first restaurant from chef and restaurateur Akwasi Brenya-Mensa and it's been one of the year's most hotly-anticipated. The chef has made the journey from pop-ups to his own burger restaurant in Sheffield through to supperclubs in London. With those, he started first with Mensa, Plates & Friends before moving on to something different with Tatale (pronounced "ta-ta-lay" and named after a Ghanaian plantain pancake).
The chef has been developing Tatale in the run-up to the opening with a number of events (taking it abroad to Puerto Rico, Lisbon and more). There was a stint in Islington at James Cochran's 12:51 and now the restaurant has finally opened its doors.
Here, the menu covers dishes and techniques from across the African continent, with some focus on his own Ghanaian roots.
The bar upstairs (opening soon) which also has a few spaces out on the terrace. We covet ALL the furniture.
Where is it?
You'll find it in the newly opened Africa Centre in Southwark, with the main restaurant on the ground floor and the bar on the first (with a lovely terrace at the front too). It's about a 10-minute walk from Blackfriars or Waterloo East.
The room itself, with the interiors designed by Tola Ojuolape, looks beautiful, with sandy-coloured walls and wooden chairs throughout and artisan designers like Golden Editions behind much of the fabrics in the restaurant. As mentioned in the picture above, we wanted all of the furniture (particularly the gorgeous seats on the balcony).
What's on the menu?
It's predominantly a small plates affair (most dishes circa £7-10) which changes regularly and is being continually developed - and there are plenty of vegan options along the way. The menu takes influences from all over Africa and there's a personal touch too, with notes from Brenya-Mensa to take you through their heritage.
We visited for a preview and got a special launch menu - so here's a taste of what could be on offer:
Eto plantain tart - inspired by a childhood recipe, originally created for Taste of London and something that will be getting continually refined.
Omo Tuo (mashed rice) and Nkatekwan (groundnut soup)
Chichinga chicken, palm wine pickles, red stew, kewpie mayo - a plated version of what Brenya-Mensa calls a "Hall Party staple". Gorgeous chicken served with yellow rice and black shito (he's determined to keep jollof off the menu, apparently).
Red red black eyed bean stew, plantain, tomato - a vegan larger plate, which the chef says is his favourite childhood dish.
Whipped cheesecake, chin chin crumb (that's a West African crunchy fried snack)
Milo and coconut mousse, lotus crumb
Overall thoughts
We visited Tatale for a very early preview and it was already clear that Akwasi Brenya-Mensa is brewing up something special here. We've seen African cuisine in London take on increased prominence in recent years and this continues to introduce it to London in new inventive ways. One to watch, for sure.
Hot Dinners ate as guests of Tatale in a preview. Prices are correct at the time of writing
More about Tatale
Where is it? 66 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 0BL
How to book: Book online
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @tataleandco.
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