Chef Kemal Demirasal to open new Aegean-themed restaurant and bar in Soho

This May, Soho’s buzzing scene is set to be enriched with the opening of The Counter Soho on Kingly Street, the latest venture by Turkish chef Kemal Demirasal. Known for his avant-garde approach to cuisine, Demirasal is expanding his culinary footprint in London with this new establishment, which will be accompanied by an innovative listening bar named Under The Counter, situated directly below the restaurant. This duo promises to bring a taste of the Aegean, blending influences from Greece and Turkey with touches from the wider Mediterranean and Levantine regions, as well as featuring favourites from Demirasal’s first London venture, The Counter Notting Hill.

Kemal Demirasal, a self-taught chef who turned from being a six-time Turkish national champion windsurfer to a career in the hospitality sector, garnered acclaim for his fine dining restaurant Alancha before its closure in 2021. With his roots in Izmir, a city nestled by the Aegean Sea, Demirasal’s creations are a homage to his upbringing, rich in seafood, citrus, and the vibrant herbs characteristic of the region. The Counter Soho will capture the essence of the cuisine from this area, in a balanced sequence of of hot and cold mezze, alongside larger grilled and slow-cooked dishes. Signature offerings, coming from The Counter in Notting Hill, include Chocolate Babaganoush with Dukkah, Levantine Lamb Tartare, Vine Leaf Deconstructed Dolma. In addition to a variety of seafood delicacies, the menu features dishes such as Muhammara with Pistachio and Honey, Istanbul Tomato Salad and Chives, Hand Dived Scallops with Tarragon Oil and Monk’s Beard, and Sage-infused Rice pudding.

Complementing the dining experience, Under The Counter will introduce guests to a selection of cocktails also inspired by the regional traditions. The drinks list comprises clarified and milk punch cocktails, alongside a range of spirits infused with flavours from Greece, Turkey, and beyond. Yia Mas, made with rum, osmanthus and yuzu, Maraschino, tonic water, and named after a common Greek toasting, and Artemis, prepared with lavender vodka, lychee, jasmine milk and yellow chartreuse, are just some examples among the must-try. The 30-cover bar, designed by the award-winning Turkish design company Mia Architecture and Tuğcu Design, will also boast a high-quality sound system to enhance the listening experience, reflecting the diverse music cultures of the Aegean and Mediterranean.

The 60-cover restaurant, set within a contemporary space that is a subtle tribute to Aegean aesthetics, opens onto Kingly Street with bi-folding windows, perfect for the warmer days, and includes a 20-seater terrace. A carefully curated wine list will comprise Greek, Turkish, and Levantine wines, among labels from Europe and the New World.

Kemal Demirasal, enthusiastic for the upcoming launch, said: “We’re really excited to be bringing the flavours of the Aegean, which unites Greece and Turkey, to central London. We couldn’t be happier to be opening our second restaurant in Soho, and to open our first-ever bar, Under The Counter, in the heart of London’s vibrant West End.”

Food Desk
Photo: Ola O. Smit

For further information and bookings, visit The Counter’s website.