Former Noma Mexico chef, Santiago Lastra, has announced that his long-awaited debut restaurant, KOL will welcome its first diners on Tuesday 20th October.
Santiago Lastra’s decade-long dream of opening his debut restaurant in London in May was made to wait a bit longer due to lockdown. However, now he and his team are back at work getting everything ready for the October launch.
KOL – which takes its name from the Spanish word for cabbage – will encapsulate Mexico’s soulful and diverse food culture, whilst celebrating the finest of British ingredients. The 56-cover dining room is set to offer two set menus, with the choice of either five or six courses (priced at £55 and £70 per person, respectively). Dishes will include Langoustine Tacos with Sea Buckthorn; Lamb Leg Tostada cured in Gooseberries with Walnut Oil and Fermented Chillis; Kolrabi Ceviche; and Corn-Husk Ice Cream.
Santiago states,
“It was a huge knock-back when the restaurant was unable to open in May, but we saw the situation as a positive and spent time further refining, researching and fully immersing ourselves in the KOL vision. We are now more ready than ever before. I believe that the opening of KOL, at this time, can bring a little hope to the hospitality sector, for people to think, okay – the industry is not totally stalling, new restaurants can and will open, and there’s still something to be salvaged from this crazy year. Something to look forward to.”
The wine list at KOL will showcase predominately biodynamic wines sourced from Central and Eastern Europe, served alongside a series of cocktails developed for the restaurant by spirits consultant Marcis Dzelzainis. A selection of carefully curated mezcal will also be available in the main restaurant. An alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks pairing will also be available alongside the set menus.
A 20-cover private chef’s table dining area will be situated on the lower ground floor, with its own dedicated kitchen. Here guests will have the chance to try bespoke menus, with new and experimental restaurant dishes before they are served in the main restaurant.
The KOL mezcaleria – the restaurant’s standalone bar – will serve a range of tequilas, mezcal, agave and other Mexican spirits. The mezcaleria will open later in the year, with full details to be announced soon.
KOL will open on Tuesday 20th October.
KOL, 9 Seymour Street, Marylebone, London, W1H 5BT