The Turkish brothers behind the Cafe Beam group are the latest restaurateurs gambling on Canary Wharf and will open an Istanbul-inspired venue in October.
Ozgur and Sidar Akyuz said Nora will honour the Turkish capital with a “conflation of diverse offerings,” merging seyyar satici, or street food, with mangal cookery and more modern interpretations of classics.
Recipes and dishes dating back to the Ottoman Empire will be on show, the brothers added, with breads such as sesame and caraway pide and grilled bazlama alongside hummus and sucuk, a fermented beef sausage, and spiced lamb börek.
Less traditional dishes inspired by Turkish cuisine will include crab rice dolma with preserved tomato and white carrot foam, and manti with hen of the woods.
As is customary in Turkish cooking, flames will be at the heart of the menu. Fish, meat and bread will be prepared on the grill, with adana kofte sitting alongside ex-dairy beef steaks from British farms and turbot from West Country fishers.
One of the most high-profile Turkish chefs in London has consulted on the menu, while the general manager is to be Daniele Beltramo, formerly of Manteca, The Fat Duck, and Bocca di Lupo.
As for the space, expect a new build in Canary Wharf not far from Roe. It’s been designed by Ola Jachymiak Studio and will seat 130 inside and 30 on the terrace.
Much like the brothers’ Café Beam – four locations across London – interiors will feature mid-century modern furnishing, with floor to ceiling windows and lots of light wood.
The wine and cocktail lists will also reflect the terroir and flavours of the region. There’ll be lots of raki alongside ingredients such as orange blossom, sumac and saffron.
Opening in October. 7 West Lane, Canary Wharf, London E22 3AA, nora.london
