This autumn, Aji Akokomi, the owner of the renowned fine dining West African restaurant Akoko in Fitzrovia, is bringing the flavors of West Africa to the heart of Borough Yards with new restaurant, Akara. Named after the black-eye bean fritter, a staple of West African cuisine, Akara will be a 40-cover restaurant that celebrates traditional regional flavors in a stylish and relaxed space.
The à la carte menu at Akara will showcase a variety of Akaras, crispy savory fritters made from black-eye beans, filled with fillings like carabinero prawns and vatapa, hand-dived scallops, ox cheeks, and chanterelle mushroom patê. In addition to Akaras, starters like sinasir (rice pancake) with bone marrow and yaji and tatale (plantain pancake) with Senegalese hot sauce will feature on the menu. For mains, expect plenty of barbecued meats, fish, and vegetable dishes, including aged beef, dibi lamb, aubergine dressed with chilli oil, and fresh Sea Bream.
As for drinks, there's a cocktail menu that features a handful of favourites from sibling restaurant, Akoko, like the Cacao & Dates Negroni, whilst the thoughtfully curated wine list complements the dishes, featuring lesser-known grape varieties.
Dine in the stylish restaurant, decked out by A-nrd, a London-based design studio, who have kept things contemporary and fresh with exposed bricks and original features like old archways. There's also a mezzanine upstairs which is home to a private dining space that can comfortably seat 12 guests.
Akara is set to open in October in Borough Yards with more details to come.
