A Star of the Istanbul Dining Scene Is Planning a Restaurant In London

Esra Muslu, the Istanbul-based chef, has confirmed that she will open a new restaurant in London. Zahter, which is yet to find a site and appears to have been unsuccessful in a recent crowdfunding initiative, will be a 40-cover restaurant opening in central London.

She will move after most recently working as the executive chef at Soho House in Istanbul. She told Eater today: “Currently I am looking for a venue to open my restaurant. It is going to be a small one with 40 seatings and will have a Middle Eastern menu with a twist. Unfortunately [I] don’t have a site yet. Hoping to find in a couple of weeks or so.”

According to information released about an upcoming London pop-up at Carousel in Marylebone, the restaurant space that accommodates a roster of rotating chefs from all over the world throughout the year, Muslu “set Istanbul’s dining scene alight with her concepts of contemporary Turkish fare with a focus on wood fired cooking.” It was in London, sixteen years ago, that she is said discovered her passion for food.

Guests have been told to “expect vibrant mezze dishes,” such as: Grilled octopus, broad bean purée, dill, parsley and spring onion; and roasted lamb shoulder, aubergine begendi and dukkah.

Muslu will be at Carousel from 27 — 31 March.

Stay tuned for more news on Zahter in the coming weeks.