Middle Eastern restaurant concept Sarona launches in Clerkenwell
Sarona, a new Middle Eastern restaurant concept, has opened its first site in what was speciality coffee brand Workshop's flagship site in Clerkenwell.
The new venture was founded by Andre Avedian and Stuart Swycher - who are also directors of Bloomsbury's Fork Deli - joined by Dan Levine. The trio said they were inspired by their love of coming together "to break bread" as well as by the food Levine grew up with in Israel.
Featuring a seasonally changing menu based on traditional Yemenite dishes with Ashkenazi and Sephardi influences, Sarona is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday. The restaurant will also serve Shabbat brunch on Saturday.
Sample dishes include crispy cauliflower with amba, Hawayej roast lamb shoulder shakshuka and chargrilled schug spiced tuna alongside home-made hummus and chopped grilled aubergine.
The breakfast offering features Halva twist, Rogelach and cheese Bourekas, which are all baked fresh on site daily.
The drinks offer includes Tishbi Israeli wine, craft beers from Jerusalem's Beer Bazaar, Workshop coffee and Newby teas.
Sarona takes its name and inspiration from the markets and restaurants of Tel Aviv. Its interiors and colour scheme were designed to recreate this vibe with exposed brick walls, a warming orange colour scheme, and brass features throughout.
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