Eyal Shani to launch Lilienblum in east London
It is the first of three expected openings by Shani in London this year, the Israeli-born chef and restaurateur having made his debut in the capital last year with Mediterranean street food brand Miznon.
In contrast to the fast-casual nature of Miznon, which has sites in Soho and Notting Hill, Lilienblum is described as a ‘family-style sharing plates’ concept.
Named after the street of one of Shani’s first restaurants in Tel Aviv, it will feature an ‘interactive’ open kitchen that’s led by Oren King, whose CV includes stints at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Roka, and Hide.
Diners will be able to sit at the counter overlooking the kitchen and be served an Israeli-inspired menu divided by ingredients rather than starters and mains.
Similarly to Miznon, dish descriptions will follow an irreverently effusive style. For example, the launch menu will include green asparagus ‘perfectly arranged in a paper envelope’; seafood pan roasted in ‘tomato ovaries’; and ribeye steak, ‘the way GOD intended’.
Lilienblum general manager Kitty Sparks will oversee a drinks list that will combine lesser-known Israeli wines with more classic European producers, alongside a ‘playful’ cocktail offering.
The restaurant’s interior has been designed by Eric Parry Architects with long-time collaborator Yakov Turjeman. Working between street and garden, the interior is centred on the open kitchen and the central ceramic column and painted colourful ceiling.
As well as the indoor space, Lilienblum will also feature an ‘urban’ terrace area.
Shani opened Oceanus in his hometown of Jerusalem in 1989 and launched his first Miznon site in Tel Aviv back in 2011.
He subsequently expanded the brand to major cities across the world including Paris, Vienna, Melbourne, Singapore and New York. Miznon made its London debut in Soho last summer, and opened a second site, in Notting Hill, in November.
Lilienblum is the first of three new restaurant concepts Shani is set to launch in London this year.
In the autumn, he’s set to open Seven North within the Sircle London hotel on Devonshire Square in London’s Liverpool Street. He’s also in the process of securing a site for a London outpost of HaSalon, his fine-dining restaurant brand, which has a flagship site in Tel Aviv.
