Greek restaurant Ampἑli to open in January

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Former Nopi chef Oren Goldfeld is to oversee the kitchen at a Mediterranean-style restaurant that’s set to open on Charlotte Street in London’s Fitzrovia next month.

Ampἑli, a Greek word meaning simply vineyard, will take its cue from the modern wine-focused restaurants of Athens and feature dishes inspired by both Greek and Eastern Mediterranean cultures.

Goldfeld has worked with founder and first time restaurateur Jenny Pagoni, who moved from her hometown of Athens to London in 2004, to create a menu that reflects her favourite Greek dishes.

The menu will feature a wide array of dishes including braised cuttlefish with orzo and Moroccan red pepper sauce; pan-fried Welsh lamb sweetbreads with Jerusalem mixed spice; and spiced potato brik with soft egg yolk, brown shrimp and harissa mayonnaise.

It will also feature a wine list curated by ‘Greek Master of Wine’ Yiannis Karakasis, which will include bins selected from emerging wine regions that ‘bear the torch for modern Greek wines’.

“After moving to London, I found that what I missed most about my home in Athens was the food and wines,” says Pagoni.

“Greek wine is currently undergoing an exciting renaissance so I’m really looking forward to introducing some completely new wines to London.

“Ampἑli will be a place for people to gather and drink something new they might never have tasted, and share dishes that reflect the diversity of the Eastern Mediterranean.”