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London duo to open Middle Eastern restaurant in Haggerston railway arches

London chef Josh Katz and entrepreneur Mattia Bianchi will open Middle Eastern and North African grill house, Berber & Q, a, within the railway arches of Haggerston, on 21st April 2015.

Formerly at Galvin Bistrot de Luxe, Ottolenghi and Zest, Josh has taken influence for Berber & Q from all over - London, Marrakesh, Istanbul, Tel Aviv and New York.

Growing up in North London meant regular visits to the falafel shops, Middle Eastern grocery stores, bakeries, butchers, Shawarma houses and Israeli restaurants which became regular after-school haunts.

In more recent years, Josh has frequently travelled to New York, eating his way through the city’s BBQ joints and developing a passion for the cuisine which will be carried over to his menu at Berber & Q.

Co Founder, Mattia Bianchi, who previously worked at Ottolenghi and with Ben Spalding, will oversee the front of house and bar offering.

The cocktail list will be Middle Eastern, using Lebanese Arak, homemade bitters, syrups, infused spirits and liquors.

Berber & Q will collaborate with Crate Brewery to offer their very own Golden on draught, made with Thyme, Za’atra, Sumac and orange zest, served in growlers. Other beers will include Golden Taybeh from Palestine, and Moroccan lager Casablanca.

Berber & Q, designed by London based Judith Pearson, will sit under a weathered, brick railway arch (previously a disused taxi rank).

Josh said: “Cooking for me is all about simplicity, no fuss, no pomposity. I want Berber & Q to be fun and informal. There’ll be a few dishes that you’ll eat with your hands. The vibe is all about sharing good food, in a close setting with great friends”

Mattia said: “Our passion for Middle Eastern and North African food is enormous. We live in London but we love the ‘lights down’ buzzy dining culture of bars in New York. We want to bring the bits we love from all these cultures together at Berber & Q,”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .