Flagship Busaba Eathai restaurant to open in February

Busaba Eathai is set to open a new flagship venue in London's Shoreditch in February.

First reported by The Caterer last year, the new site on Bethnal Green Road promises to be the most ambitious in the company's 15-year history, accommodating 164 covers with two terraces.

The Shoreditch branch will introduce the modern Thai Kinnaree bar (pron. Khin-NAH-rah) to the Busaba Eathai brand. The bar is named after the Kinnaree - an angelic half-woman, half-swan creature that adorns many temples and palaces in Thailand.

The bar will be adorned by a selection of Thai art, from khon dance masks and bronze temple bells to the centrepiece - a hand-carved Kinnaree statue created by craftsman ‘Lert' from the far north of Thailand.

The Kinnaree cocktail list will include modern Thai twists and popular classics, all influenced by the flavours and aromas of Thailand.

Connecting the Kinnaree bar and the Busaba dining room is a tropical courtyard with living walls, a reflection pool and a Busaba Buddha shrine.

And the Shoreditch site will also be home to the Busaba CookThai academy. A dedicated development and teaching kitchen, the CookThai Academy will be the educational hub for Busaba's family of talented chefs during the week. At the weekend, executive chef Jude Sangsida will offer CookThai Academy classes, open to the public from April.

New dishes served the restaurant will include traditional Thai railway fried rice, Thai roti wraps and Chilli beef rice set, all priced between £5 and £8.

Jason Myers, CEO of Busaba Eathai, said: "This launch marks a pivotal moment in the Busaba Eathai story. Our new site here in Shoreditch brings together all of the magic of its predecessors as well as representing our evolution as we celebrate our 15th birthday and look forward to our expansion across the UK."

Founded in 1999, Busaba currently runs 12 sites across London.