Fadi Kattan unveils further details on his modern Palestinian restaurant Akub ahead of launch

First mooted back in April​​, Akub, which takes its name for the Arabic word for cardoon, will 'celebrate the under-represented rich culinary history of Palestine, with a bold and updated approach' cultivated by Kattan and his business partner, Rasha Khouri.

Dishes will honour Palestinian produce, supplied by fairtrade co-operative Zaytoun, and also stem from the cultural influences of Kattan's upbringing.

The menu will be split between salad and starter plates and larger options, with a range of breads, drips and condiments also served. Options will include Akub focaccia available to order with red lentil moutabal; arak-cured sea bream; crunchy mansaf balls; and grape vine leaves stuffed with skate.

Desserts will include a Dead Sea chocolate cake; and Bethlehem knafeh.

Drinks, meanwhile, will range from a selection of natural and classic wines, to beers, arak and other spirits from Palestine.

Kattan is an authority on modern Palestinian cuisine. He grew up in Bethlehem where he inherited his love of food from his two grandmothers. In 2015 he opened Fawda restaurant in Bethlehem.

He also pioneered the region’s first food tours, where visitors could explore the markets of Bethlehem, meet farmers and artisans, and taste unusual herbs, raw cheese and fresh taboun bread.

"With Akub, we want to share some of our poignant memories, tastes and smells, whilst embracing local seasonal produce in the UK," he says.

"We chose akub for the name, cardoon in English, as this short lived flowering thistle embodies the essence of Palestine and the quick tempo of the shifting seasons."

Split over two levels with an internal courtyard and with 68 covers in total, Akub has been designed by hospitality designer Annie Harrison of FARE INC, with a colour scheme that echoes Palestine’s landscape, focusing on olive green, earthy pinks, oranges and sand tones.

Tableware has been sourced from a third-generation Palestinian ceramist, Nur Minawi; while vintage keys will be displayed on walls throughout as a nod to the Palestinian symbol of homes lost in the region.