First announced a year ago, Shola is finally set to open at White City Place at the end of March. Founded by celeb chef Aida Khan, who had a popular TV show in Pakistan, the restaurant will draw on her childhood memories of trips to the Karachi’s food markets and big feasts with her family.
Determined to prove that Pakistani food is healthy and light, Aida has based Shola’s menu on family recipes that have been passed down over the years. Spices are roasted and ground on site, and masalas are made from scratch.
We can expect the likes of Beef Behari Kabab, six hour slow cooked spiced beef flavoured with pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and chillies; zesty Chicken Hara Masala, marinated overnight in a fresh herb yogurt base; and Khattee Daal, a mixture of lentils slow cooked and tempered with curry leaves and whole red chillies. And on the dessert front, we’re liking the sound of the Naan Khatai, a semolina and flour cookie, glazed and sprinkled with freshly chopped pistachios.
Shola is one of the last restaurants to open in the newly redeveloped White City, following the launch of the Television Centre restaurants last year.
Opens End of March 2019
White City Place, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TU
sholakitchen.com