Ex-Roti King pair to launch new Islington pub The Tamil Prince

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Former Roti King chef Prince Durairaj and ex-JKS general manager Glen Leeson are to launch a new pub together in London's Islington with a South Indian-focused menu.

The Tamil Prince will 'align the classic British pub with the food of Tamil Nadu' with Durairaj and Leeson, the latter of whom having also previously worked as operations director at Roti King, drawing on their Tamila street food concept, which they launched together last year and currently operate at Hackney Bridge.

Durairaj's menu will include a selection of small plates such as crab soup; dhal makhani; okra fries; onion bhaji; and a spiced chicken lollipop.

Larger plates, meanwhile, will include robata lamb chops; king prawn moilee; and butter chicken masala are served with roti or coconut pilau rice.

There will also be desserts such as gulab jamun; shrikhand; and badam kheer with almonds and saffron.

Alongside a host of British and Indian beers available by the bottle or on draft, The Tamil Prince will offer a cocktail list created by Simone Pugi (ex-Bar Termini) featuring ingredients and flavours from southern-India.

Options will include a tamarind margarita; and jaljeera, a North Indian drink made using coriander, mint and spices. 

Previously The Cuckoo, the nineteenth century pub sits on the corner of a residential area in Islington and features both indoor and outdoor dining areas.

The interiors will stay true to the pub’s history, with accents of the new food offering visible in decorative items and plants throughout. Food will be served on brass plates, and old Indian tea glasses will be used for water and short drinks.