This January, Bala Baya brings a day in the life of Tel Aviv to Southwark’s Union Street Arches. A Bauhaus-inspired restaurant, this is the first stand alone project from Israeli-born Head Chef Eran Tibi, formerly of Ottolenghi, Made in Camden and the acclaimed Zest@JW3.
The restaurant intends to be poem to Tel Aviv, its interior architecture and design reflecting the particular Desert Bauhaus of the city – an urban, sun-drenched, modernist masterpiece.
Bala Baya’s downstairs will be a fast-paced, grab-and-go setting. Upstairs will have a more refined dinner menu with a 76 cover restaurant allowing for tables of up to 16, fostering the convivial spirit at the heart of Bala Baya’s ethos.
The daytime menu will be focused around a custom-made pitta oven and transported from Tel Aviv. The menu will range from in-house made breakfast pastries, to takes on the classic pitta pockets at lunch. There will be stews and slow-cooked meats or a take on a fish finger sandwich, accompanied by salads and homemade sauces.
The pittas will demonstrate the heart of Tel Aviv’s gastronomy – where every meal features the soft and fluffy flat breads. Fillings on offer will include Braised Lamb Neck Fillets with Quince, Shaved Pecorino, Lamb Jus and Fresh Salad. All downstairs items can be wrapped, boxed and bagged to take away.
The evening menu will be family-style dining with dishes such as Salmon and Tahini (Salt Baked Blackened Salmon with Tahini, Picked Chilli, Tomato Pulp and Herb Oil) and Aubergine and Harissa Date Glaze (Tea Smoked Aubergine with Harissa and Date Glaze, Spicy Nut Crumb, Lime and Goats Curd).
Desserts will include Chocolate and Hazelnut Babka (Babka with Smeared Chocolate and Hazelnut Spread, Plums, Pecan Praline and Crème Anglaise)..
The restaurant will also feature London’s very first Gazoz Bar. Serving daily blends of this refreshing, homemade, fruit-filled sparkling botanical drink a a firm favourite of Tel Aviv’s residents since the 1920’s and is now praised as the West’s answer to Kombucha. Flavours will include Plum with Fig and Lemon Thyme, Clementine and Lemongrass and Watermelon and Red Basil.
Bala Baya will be open Monday – Friday at 8am – 11pm, Saturday from 9am – 11pm and Sunday 10am 7pm. Reservations can be made online or by telephone.
Arch 25 Old Union Yard Arches 229 Union Street London SE1 0LR