Two of the team behind chef Chris Denney’s acclaimed restaurant Fiend have opened this venue just off Portobello, promising wine, music and a seasonal menu of dishes done on an open grill. The ground floor includes a bar, open-theatre kitchen for 10 diners, with a 12-cover wine room at the rear of the room. The basement is home to a high-end record player and soundsystem, with a vinyl selection from Stranger Than Paradise Records founder Noreen McShane; music spans jazz, funk, tropical and disco.
The name is a nod to Caia Caecilia, a Roman Goddess of fire - so expect a focus on locally-sourced, seasonally-changing dishes mostly cooked over an open grill. Highlights include: Monkfish with creamed, barbecued corn; soft duck egg with pickled beetroot, chickpeas and courgette and blackened “smokey potato” with mushed borlotti beans, roast garlic miso and a dusting of parmesan.
Open fire cooking
Monkfish with creamed, barbecued corn; soft duck egg with pickled beetroot, chickpeas and courgette and blackened “smokey potato” with mushed borlotti beans, roast garlic miso and a dusting of parmesan.
The Garden Spritz gin based with summery lemongrass, cucumber, a splash of Antica Formula and a ginger kick and the Vida – concocted of Mezcal Blend, a touch of Graham’s 10yrs Tawny port, with lemon and black tea.
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