Som saa duo to open Kolae in London’s Borough Market
Mark Dobbie and Andy Oliver will open Kolae in London’s Borough Market in October, named after a cooking style from the south of Thailand. Housed in old London coach house, the 80-cover restaurant will be split over three floors and will include a small alfresco courtyard dining area as well as a private dining room at the top of the building.
Kolae (also known as Golae, Galae and Gaw Lae) is a style of cooking found in Thailand’s Southern provinces where ingredients - most commonly chicken - are coated in a curry-like coconut marinade
before being grilled over open flames.
Signature dishes will include the half kolae chicken, marinated in a sauce fragrant of lemongrass, fresh turmeric, black pepper; as well as seasonal fish; seafood; and vegetarian specials, all cooked using a similar technique.
Also available will be salads pounded to order in a pestle and mortar; and fiery nam phrik relishes accompanying larger dishes.
There will also be a succinct drinks menu that will feature a handful of cocktails made using fresh Thai ingredients, as well as a list of 15-20 wines - mostly available by the glass - and a small selection of beers and ciders.
“Borough is an area that we’ve loved spending time in over the years, with an amazing restaurant scene, so it feels like a significant moment for us to be opening Kolae there,” says Dobbie.
“The concept for Kolae has been in the works for a long time and this feels like an exciting new direction for us. It will be a celebration of some very special dishes, ingredients and techniques that excite and inspire us,” adds Oliver.
Dobbie and Oliver launched som saa along with Tom George on Shoreditch’s Commercial Street in 2016 having previously undertaken a year-long residency in London Fields from 2014 to 2015. George is a director of both businesses but has stepped back from the day-to-day running of them.
