Review on Oklava
Oklava is a modern Turkish restaurant occupying a corner spot on Luke Street and Phipp Street in Shoreditch. It's the first venture from acclaimed Turkish-Cypriot chef Selin Kiazim, who previously worked with Peter Gordon at both The Providores in Marylebone and Kopapa in Covent Garden, and she is joined by her business partner Laura Christie from the Salt House Group, where she led the front of house team.
The restaurant takes its name 'oklava' from the traditional rolling pin used to make breads, pastries and pides, all of which feature on Selin's modern menu. The light and airy dining room is decked out in a palette of muted shades of greys and creams, dominated by the large open kitchen surrounded by a wooden counter with tall turquoise bar stools, where diners can perch and watch all the action of the chefs at work.
Seiln's inventive menu focuses on a stone oven and charcoal grill known as a mangal in Turkey, where she produces small dishes designed for sharing. Dishes show off her credentials with baked lamb fat potatoes, hellim, fried duck egg and sherry vinegar caramel or a pide of braised octopus ricotta, green olives, honey, pickled caper shoots and thyme, served with salad and pickles. Fish fans might opt for the monkfish, citrus, chill dressing and coriander, or elsewhere there's crispy pomegranate glazed lamb breast and yoghurt. For a sweet-toothed finale enjoy the spiced rice pudding brûlée, rum jelly, pineapple and lime or chocolate, prune and cardamom delice, bergamot cream and praline.
Laura ensures that there is a pleasant buzz to proceedings and there's a first-class wine list, with a focus on award-winning wines from established Turkish vineyards to complement the food.
Oklava is also featured in: Hardens
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Turkish
Chef
Selin Kiazim
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 3.00pm Tue-Sat
Dinner: 5.30 - 10.00pm Tue-Sat
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card