Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar: Eneko Atxa and Javi Blanco to reopen London restaurant this May
Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar reveals an informal side to the food of Eneko Atxa, chef and founder of three Michelin-starred Azurmendi in the Basque Country. On 10 May 2019, along with Head Chef Javi Blanco, Eneko will reopen his London restaurant with a new menu that is firmly embedded in the classical Basque cooking of his home region.
Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar has been closed since January 2019 due to the refurbishment of One Aldwych hotel. Chefs Eneko and Javi have taken this opportunity to develop enticing new menus, and the restaurant looks forward to welcoming diners once again and re-establishing its place as one of Covent Garden’s most exciting food destinations.
With a relaxed and welcoming space, the restaurant and bar offer a true taste of the Basque Country. In the bar, the Basque Cocktail Collection features sips inspired by Eneko’s home region, whilst Eneko’s Perfect Serve menu offers six interpretations of the classic gin and tonic, beloved in both London and Bilbao. Alongside the cocktails, the bar proudly champions the region’s vineyards and features, exclusively for the UK, bottles from Gorka Izagirre, Eneko’s family winery in Bilbao. Reminiscent of the celebrated bars of Bilbao and San Sebastian, the bar at Eneko also offers traditional pintxos including Idiazabal cheese croquetas; Gernika peppers; and Iberico ham on crystal bread with tomato and garlic.
Moving into the restaurant, guests can begin with small sharing plates such as Txipirones (squid tempura with caramelised onion); Arroz con almejas (rice with clams, garlic, chives and parsley); and Beef tartare with anchovy and pickled mushrooms. Larger sharing dishes include Txuleta, a dry-aged rib of beef finished in the Josper grill, Grilled octopus with coriander and chilli; and Roasted aubergine with burnt aubergine puree and pepper sauce. For a sweet finale, desserts include Torrija of vanilla sponge and sheep’s milk ice cream or Fruit salad with balsamic dressing and raspberry sorbet.
For those looking to delight in as many of Eneko’s specialities as possible, the Txoko Menu offers a selection of ten different dishes including breads, snacks, fish, meat, vegetables and desserts. Priced at £80pp, the menu is designed for two or more people to share.
Situated in the heart of Covent Garden and surrounded by many of London’s best theatres, Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar offers a set menu for pre and post-theatre, as well as lunch, priced from £22 for two courses and a side dish. Furthermore, from midday every Saturday, a unique brunch menu is available, featuring dishes such as Crystal bread, Iberico ham, Idiazabal cheese and mushrooms; Crispy corn talo with tomatoes and basil; Tortilla and Seafood rice.
Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar is the first restaurant designed by the celebrated studio Casson Mann. From the Edwardian entrance, a shining copper staircase leads to the floating 30-cover mezzanine bar overlooking the restaurant below. The contemporary dining space is warm and inviting with materials sourced from craftsmen in the Basque region. Bespoke furniture includes chilli-red banquettes, pale chestnut wood tables and a soaring feature wall of chiselled black Mediterranean pine.
Notes to Editors
Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar is currently closed but will reopen from lunchtime on Friday 10 May.
About Eneko Atxa
Born and raised in the Basque Country of northern Spain, Eneko Atxa has been hailed as a gastronomic genius. He made history in the Basque region when his restaurant Azurmendi, in Bilbao, became the first to be awarded three Michelin stars. The first was awarded in 2007 when Eneko was aged just 27, making him the youngest Spanish chef to receive a star at the time. The second came in 2010 and the third arrived in 2012. Azurmendi is ranked no. 43 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018. Eneko’s bold and creative approach has earned him an impressive collection of accolades, including the 2018 Sustainable Restaurant Award (World’s 50 Best Restaurants), 2015 Best Restaurant in Europe (Opinionated About Dining) and no. 2 in Elite Traveler’s Top 100 Restaurants in the World 2018. In 2016, Eneko Atxa created the culinary concept ENEKO, a growing net of restaurants that further to Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar in London (2016), includes Larrabetzu (2017), Tokyo (2017), and Bilbao (2018); all designed to let the world experience authentic Basque cuisine.
About Javi Blanco
Javi opened Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar with Eneko Atxa in September 2016, becoming Head Chef in July 2017. Javi was born in Spain and studied at Le Cordon Bleu, Madrid. He has worked at Madrid’s two Michelin-starred El Club Allard and in London at Roka and the then two Michelin-starred The Square. In March 2018, Javi appeared on BBC MasterChef, where he guided six semi-finalists through a busy lunch service in Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar.
Address: Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar, London WC2B 4BZ
Website: www.eneko.london
Phone: 020 7300 0300
Email: reservations@eneko.london
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @enekolondon
Opening Times:
Tues – Fri: Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm | Dinner 5pm – 11pm
Sat: Brunch 12pm – 2.30pm | Dinner 5pm – 11pm
Sun – Mon: Closed
Covers: Restaurant 110 | Bar 30
For press enquiries please contact Sauce Communications
eneko@saucecommunications.com | 0208 600 3600