The tasting menu restaurant is reopening as Appalachia
It’s all change at Counter 71 this June as the former tasting menu spot, which was led by Joe Laker and had a real focus on British produce, is flipping into Appalachia, inspired by the mountainous region of the US.
Alistair Borer (ex-Smoking Goat) will be heading up the Appalachia kitchen, combining his fire-led cooking with heritage-driven produce and high-country traditions. His menu is set to include dishes like:
- smoked eel and jalapeno devilled eggs
- Kelly rock oysters with tomatillo and scotch bonnet
- BBQ whole quail with blue cheese slaw
- grilled poussin with grits
- country-fried rabbit with chorizo gravy
- pork chop with collard greens
- curried crab omelette
The drinks programme will reflect the same regional influences, with Fraser Stancombe’s (ex-Three Sheets Soho) cocktails including the Banana Pudding Sazerac (with brown butter-washed rye, vanilla rum, banana liqueur, absinthe and Peychaud’s bitters) and the Kentucky 75 (made with mint-washed bourbon, absinthe, citrus oils, wine, and peppermint oil). Head Sommelier Harry Cooper is curating the wine list, which will focus on small allocations and change regularly.
Basement bar Lowcountry, run by co-owner Ryan Sheehan with drinks that pay homage to the American South, is remaining the same in what sounds like is going to be a more unified pairing of cocktail bar and restaurant.
Key Information
Opening date | Weds 3rd June 2026
Address | 71 Nile Street, London N1 7RD
For more information | appalachia.co.uk
