It’s fair to say that London’s love affair with the flavoursome cuisines of the Middle-East and Mediterranean show no sign of slowing down. The pioneer nations of small plate dining; tasty morsels are packed full of heady spices, fresh herbs and exotically perfumed ingredients to create a truly Moorish feast. The newest kid on the block is none other than Amber, a new all-day eatery now open.
Taking the ancient amber trade route as inspiration, the new opening will offer diners an authentic, yet modern and refined take on middle-eastern cuisine. Amber will serve food throughout the day, offering a breakfast menu great for early birds, a set lunch offering, as well as a la carte – packed full of tasty small plates and larger dishes.
Founders, Murat Kilic & Pierre Aprin, have worked hard with their team to create innovative dishes, blending the flavours of the Middle-East with European influences. The Amber Road was the original trade route used to transport the fossilised tree resin, dubbed ‘the gold of the north’, from coastal areas of the North & Baltic to the Mediterranean Sea.
Guests at Amber should expect bags of flavour throughout the menu, beginning with the breakfast menu. Pick at their breads and spreads while you decide, how about a Simit with lashings of Mango & Honey Butter, or Israeli Pita with Garlic & Chilli Peanut Butter? Move on to Middle-Eastern breakfast classics like Whipped Feta with Dukkah, Burnt Aubergine with Crushed Olives and Salt Baked Salmon on Bazlama with Harissa Hollandaise & Gin-pickled Cucumbers.
For lunch, the oven is fired up ready to bake a selection of freshly made Pide. The boat-shaped flatbread is topped with Aubergine, basil, goat’s cheese, roasted peppers & chilli or Shakshuka style – baked tomato, pepper ragout and an egg. For something a bit lighter, there’s a huge selection of fresh, zingy salads. Chargrilled Broccoli is mixed with Jerusalem artichokes, black sesame seeds, puffed pearl barley and fresh herbs, Butternut Squash with beluga lentils, ras al hanout, green tahini and golden sultanas and Miso Glazed Aubergine with pearl barley, feta, mint, parsley, pomegranate and almonds.
Rounding things off with the dinner menu – go with friends and order lots. Highlights include Salgam Cured Seabass with fennel, coriander & orange, Stuffed Mussels with rice, herbs & cinnamon, and Crispy Chicken Thighs, pickled Sharon fruit, chilli mayo & red slaw. There are plenty of flavourful options for vegetarians too such as Fried Cauliflower, crispy shallots, green tahini, pomegranate & dukkah or Burnt Truffle Goats Cheese Mousse, roasted & pickled beetroot & toasted chilli peanut cracker.
The modern aesthetics of Amber uses a midsummer garden as inspiration. They have used a colour palette of dusky pinks and pale greens as a backdrop, with ash wood tables and chairs and an array of succulents and potted plants. An open kitchen and bar dominate one side of the large restaurant, complete with grill stations and the specialist oven for making crispy pide.
Whether visiting for a breakfast meeting, quick lunch or leisurely dinner with friends, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome and Moorish feast at Amber in Aldgate East.
The flavours of the ancient trade route live on, thanks to Amber.