Dhakaah, a Bangaldeshi casual dining restaurant in Camden Market’s Hawley Wharf, is set to open on 24 July.
The concept, a celebration of the street food and specialities of Bangladesh, is named after the country’s vibrant capital Dhaka.
The menu is split into bar snacks, small plates and bigger plates.
guests can start with a cold beer and fuchka, bangladesh’s answer to pani puri filled with spiced potato, chickpea and spiced tamarind water; peyaju, deliciously crisp dhal fritters or shingara – shortcrust pastry filled with soft potato and spiced vegetables.
Bigger plates include the beef kathi roll, a heavily spiced mezbani beef curry, wrapped in handmade parota; and a real highlight, the chicken roast, free range chicken leg, caramelised with onion, mixed nuts and cardamon forward masala spices.
Assorted kulfi, a type of south Asian ice cream, will be served to round out the menu.
On the drinks side, the focus is on bringing the produce of Bangladesh to a London audience. The house gin and tonic is flavoured with shatkora, a Bangladeshi hybrid between lime and mandarin orange.
The Dhakaah Dirty Martini is based on jolpai a giant olive-like fruit found across the Indian sub-continent.
An own-brand range of beer is in the making to be launched soon after the restaurant opens to complement the spices of the main menu.
Soft drinks include lassi and the refreshing yoghurt-based drink borhani, made with natural yoghurt, green chilli, black salt, coriander, and mint.
The restaurant prioritises the use of free-range British produce and some elements are sourced directly from Bangladesh, including kalijeera rice, a small Bangladeshi variety with a distinct nutty aroma and delicate texture.
Dhakaah is part of a larger vision to bring Bangladeshi culture and its specific cuisine to the UK.