One of London’s most high profile openings of 2017, Ikoyi, is introducing quite a sea change (geddit?!) for the new year. The West African-influenced restaurant has announced an entire new menu that is almost completely dedicated to seafood. Retaining the restaurant’s essence, the new dishes are born from creativity inspired by West African ingredients applied to the highest quality of seafood.
Head chef and co-founder Jeremy Chan (who has previously worked at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Noma and Hibiscus) opened Ikoyi at the new St James’s Market development following a successful pop-up career (including at Marylebone’s Carousel).
New dishes include: Octopus, Ndolé & Calçot; and Scallop, Ehuru, Burned Cream & Caviar. Mains include Cuttlefish Miyan Taushe, Calf’s Tongue & Sinasir and Monkfish, Banga & Citrus Asaro and ‘to share’ Turbot Roasted on the Bone, Mbongo & Okra.
Illustrating Jeremy’s vision for the menu best is a new Smoked Crab Jollof Rice. “Jollof”, a traditional West African dish, originally served at Ikoyi last year with Bone Marrow. Co-founder and operations director Iré Hassan-Oudukale’s memories of growing up in Nigeria originally inspired the restaurant. The pair envisaged a restaurant that gave a new perspective on contemporary West Africa, breaking from traditions in terms of look, feel and taste to create something inventive and fresh, and change perspectives on what West African culture is thought to be.
The new menu expands further on Ikoyi’s unique supplier relationships building an inimitable array of ingredients, such as Ogbono Seeds for a new dessert of Kent Mango, Ogbono & Buttermilk.
Not all dishes on the new Ikoyi menu are fish, so meat eaters and vegetarians will still be pleased by a new take on their classic Iberico Pork Suya dish, now served with Hibiscus & Condiments; and new dish, January Cabbage Egusi, as well as regularly changing specials. It’s not all change though: one item on Ikoyi’s menu remains, the signature Buttermilk Plantain & Smoked Scotch Bonnet, one of the best-sellers of last year. A Set Lunch Menu is available Monday-Friday, priced at £19-£22.
