OTTOLENGHI OPENS IN HAMPSTEAD

Ottolenghi is delighted to introduce their newest opening in Hampstead, which opened its doors today, Monday 11th December. The sixth deli, and eighth location for the team, Ottolenghi Hampstead will be open seven days a week in the north London neighbourhood.

The duality of the space is emphasised with the site’s parallel doors; one, which leads to a more casual deli for coffees, pastries and take-away items, and another which opens into a large dining room that welcomes guests from breakfast through until dinner. For breakfast, find an array of typically bountiful pastries - both sweet and savoury - alongside hot dishes of Green eggs and ham with za’atar and feta scone and the Ottolenghi Shakshuka with smoked labneh and grilled focaccia. At lunchtime, salads are piled high in the displays now so recognisable as ‘Ottolenghi.’ From more familiar dishes such as Char-grilled broccoli with chilli and garlic and Butter bean mash with roasted squash to newer iterations created specifically for Hampstead like Lamb shawarma kofta with bulgur and caramelised pomegranate onions and Paneer stuffed aubergines with coconut dhal.

On to dinner, the menu shifts to á la carte, beginning with small plates that progress into larger sharing dishes. Portobello mushroom skewers with butterbean mash and chipotle, Roasted lamb shoulder with clementine glaze, Aleppo chilli and radish salad and Turmeric roasted cauliflower with plum dressing just a few highlights, with a concise, yet innovative wine list concentrating on natural and biodynamic bottles, including the recently released Ottolenghi own-label wines, and a cocktail list of classics-with-a-twist. Rotating bakes include the Ruby red grapefruit cake or the Flourless orange and almond cake with chocolate ganache and for the festive season, of course, the bakery’s famous Mince pies are available in their plenty. Throughout the year, guests will also find the very first Ottolenghi Soft serve. With the ice cream recipe developed by the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen, toppings will change seasonally, but will begin as Vanilla soft serve with tahini, salted caramel, cherry molasses and tahini crumble.

Hampstead’s interiors come courtesy of long-time collaborator and friend, Alex Meitlis, who to this day has designed each and every Ottolenghi site. With the aim of giving the deli its own identity, yet remaining a continuation of the Ottolenghi design path, Hampstead’s interiors centre around rough, unfinished plaster on the walls, contrasting with white corian surfaces. Touches of teal accent a warm colour palette, with lighting by Silvio Piatelli and furniture designed by Meitlis himself to give the space a homely, welcoming feel.

No Ottolenghi deli would be complete without pre-packaged goodies to purchase and take-away, with Christmas products aplenty throughout December; Ottolenghi panettone, mince pies, and an array of festive bakes.

Of the opening, Yotam says:

“It’s a scandal it has taken us so long to arrive in Hampstead. But now that we’re here, it feels just right. I’m happy we managed to open a restaurant and a takeout deli, doing everything we love doing in a beautiful site. I’ll be spending many hours on the Heath.”

Ottolenghi Hampstead is open now at 32-34 Rosslyn Hill, NW3, open 9am until 10.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am until 5pm on Sunday.

For more information please contact Jess@gemmabellandcompany.com