This July, Suvlaki, the Athenian restaurant from Irene Margariti and Yannis Theodorakakos with Executive Chefs Alfred Prasad and Elias Mamalakis will open on Brick Lane in Shoreditch. Taking inspiration from the metropolis of Athens, the restaurant will take on a decidedly urban aesthetic with a menu led by their signature suvlaki, cooked over hot coals and accompanied by small plates.
‘Having always been a melting pot of different cultures, Brick Lane seemed a fitting location for our new home with its urban buzz and cosmopolitan vibe – everything I love about the dining culture at home in Athens. Suvlaki is all about celebrating good company and down-to-earth eating and drinking in a close, relaxed setting and we can’t wait to bring that to the area’ says co-founder Irene.
With ingredients sourced from the best British and Greek producers, the traditional grilled meat skewer, ‘Suvlaki’ leads the menu, with plates to be ordered on the stick or stuffed in a pita, hot off the kitchen’s robata and josper grills. Dishes include Mount Olympus Wild Boar sausage with smoked aubergine; Spicy King Prawn with dill and rose aioli; Slow cooked Aged Scottish Texel Lamb with chilli beetroot, vegetable cous cous and green herb sauce; and Gloucester Old Spot Pork with grated tomato, tzatziki and red onion. Mezze plates to share include Olive and Citrus Wood Smoked Eel with parsley breadcrumbs, balsamic, lemon rind and Sage Smoked Siglino with vanilla beans and baby spinach.
Signature dishes of homemade Moussaka and Grilled Lamb Chops will be amongst the main dishes, to be ordered alongside sides of Greek Salad, Grilled Vegetables, house-made sauces, tzatziki, pitas and dips. Desserts including Wild Honey, Candied Ginger and Orange Cheesecake complete the menu, with an option to pair with a shot of Mastiha; a brandy based Greek liqueur from the island of Chios.
Suvlaki’s short wine list focuses on Greek producers only, including bottles from Kokotos estate, just north of Athens and smaller regions across the country. The list begins at £4.90 a glass, with 500ml carafes and bottles also available. A selection of craft beers from Greek Microbreweries include Nissos Pilsner and a Marea Ale.
Occupying a 45 cover site on Brick Lane, Suvlaki’s interiors have been designed by Afroditi Krassa. Drawing on the inspiration and architecture of modern Athens with a hint of neoclassicism, the restaurant has a textured, pared back aesthetic with warm, earthy tones of blue and a grey marble shopfront. Inside, relaxed seating comprises of vintage wooden chairs paired with distressed blue marble tabletops and long banquettes. Restored mosaic flooring will lead guests through the restaurant to a second dining room tucked at the back, housing an old reclaimed church bench for six and open kitchen for guests to watch the action firsthand.