Independent kosher restaurant takes former Giraffe site

Owned by property developer David S Levin, the new restaurant will see former Bob Bob Ricard head chef John Ellison take the reins in the kitchen, whilst Yuri Horpinchenko (who takes his experience from general manager roles at Casa Cruz and several Caprice Holdings restaurants including Scott’s and J Sheekey) will be the restaurant’s general manager.

Launching in Belsize Park on 29 July, the 160-cover site has secured a late license, allowing it to serve from 7am until 12.30am.

The breakfast menu will include the likes of Challah French toast with pear compote and maple syrup; fruit salad with mint and Acacia honey; crepes with fruit and chocolate sauce; and eggs cooked to order.

The lunch and dinner menu will offer European dishes such as seared salmon fillet with green kale salsa; dry-aged rib eye steak with truffle chips and mushrooms; and crispy duck leg with red cabbage and cranberry.

Jewish-inspired dishes will include chicken soup with kneidlach; chicken schnitzel with roasted potatoes, peppers and caper berries; a selection of sandwiches on challah bread or bagels including smoked salmon with avocado; and egg with mustard mayonnaise; and Lokshen pudding, which is a sweet baked pasta pudding.

Friday night and Saturday lunches will see the restaurant offer fixed price Shabbat menus which must be paid for in advance.

Located on the former site of casual dining restaurant Giraffe, Tish will boast a 15-foot tall ceiling, and will be painted in mint green with brass and copper accents, a checkerboard terrazzo flooring and an open kitchen.  

North London is a logical choice of location for a kosher restaurant, given its reputation for being one of the more heavily Jewish-populated pockets of the city.

Earlier this year, Hampstead saw the opening of kosher restaurant Delicatessen, from Jewish restaurant group The S Group. The restaurant boasts a kitchen headed up by ex-Ottolenghi chef Or Golan, and the option of outdoor seating.