YOUR PALATE

AMPÉLI

Located on Charlotte Street in the heart of Fitzrovia, new Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, Ampéli is an exciting new addition to London’s ever-growing dining scene. Founded by Jenny Pagoni, and taking cues from the modern wine-focused restaurants of Athens, Ampéli serves dishes inspired by both Jenny’s native Greece and its neighbouring cultures. A key focus for the stylish restaurant is the indigenous wine list, curated by Greek Master of Wine Yiannis Karakasis, showcasing a strong focus on the innovative producers creating a stir in the country’s wine scene. 

Heading up the kitchen is Head Chef Oren Goldfeld, who previously worked at Nopi and Tel Aviv’s acclaimed Toto restaurant. Oren has worked closely with founder Jenny to bring her favourite Greek dishes and family recipes to the capital.

Diners can start their meal with an array of hot or cold sharing plates. Highlights include Whipped feta with pistachio, Aleppo pepper; Pan-fried lamb sweetbreads with Jerusalem spice mix, almond sauce, pickles;  and Salt cod croquettes, samphire and yoghurt tartar. Moving on to mains and the Whole grilled Cornish mackerel with jerusalem artichokes and vine leaves is impressive; as is the succulent Braised short ribs with date molasses, dried Moroccan peppers and quince. The desserts include poppy seed loukoumades, doughnuts with Greek mountain tea syrup.

Jenny’s enthusiasm for indigenous Greek wines, combined with Yiannis’ extensive knowledge, has resulted in an exciting and varied wine list at Ampéli. The list features a wide range of Assyrtiko, a thrilling and intense grape which has boomed in popularity over the past few years, as well as rare native Greek varieties produced in very small quantities. Perfect for those looking to expand their wine knowledge. 

Set across three floors, the interiors are modern and stylish with pale green walls, brass accents and a range of artworks from a rotating line-up of artists. The first exhibition is from acclaimed watercolourist, Leonie de Lange, and Greek sculptor Vasiliki Maliopoulou, who crafts her works from fossils and reclaimed materials found along the Greek coastline.

Ampéli, 18 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2LZ | info@ampeli.london  |  ampeli.london