Indian restaurant Talli Joe is set to open on the former site of Mela (another Indian outpost) on Shaftesbury Avenue on 25 April. Positioned near Cambridge Circus, the brand new venture’s menu is the work of Sameer Taneja, previously the executive chef at Mayfair’s Michelin-starred Benares.
Talli (‘T-uh-li’) means ‘tipsy’ in Hindi, which is a useful indication of what kind of mood to expect from the restaurant: a casual, all-day restaurant and bar inspired by India’s dive bars, serving up regional dishes and cocktails. Food will be served as half-plates, intended for sharing – with a drink in hand at all times, of course.
The menu will include poached shrimp rasam (a spicy south Indian soup), as well as sorpotel and sanna, a delicacy from Konkan on India’s west coast, made from pork stewed in chilli, coconut and vinegar, served with a savoury rice cake. For dessert, expect patisapta, which will be Talli Joe’s take on a classic Bengali dessert of thin crepes, filled with coconut and jaggery, with a dash of rum.
But of course, let’s not forget the tipsy bit: we’re liking the sound of the Cutting Chai on the cocktail list, which promises chilled masala chai infused with vodka, lime and honey. Yes. Please.
With the likes of Cafe Monico, Yumi Izakaya and Shuang Shuang all opening on Shaftesbury Avenue already this year, this strip is fast becoming central London’s hottest dining destination.
The restaurant will kick off with a soft launch from 25-30 April, with 50% off food for those signed up to the Talli Joe mailing list.
Like the sound of this? Then tremble with anticipation at our full list of London restaurants and bars coming soon.
This article was published on 7 April 2016