Located mere minutes from Marble Arch tube station, Kol is an innovative Mexican restaurant that combines traditional techniques with the finest British ingredients to create a magnificent menu. Having opened their doors in 2020, the team have been very busy since: they bagged their first Michelin star earlier this year, and just last month, launched their Chef’s Table Experience, inspired by the tastings they hosted before they launched. It’s safe to say Kol has well and truly made its mark on the Marylebone scene already.
Although it’s minimalist on the outside, once you step through the doors of Kol, you’ll be warmly embraced by the venue’s welcoming Mexican spirit. Kol’s founder, Santiago Lastra, places much importance on channeling the vibes of a traditional Oaxacan home kitchen (Oaxaca is a region in southern Mexico), while offering all the frills and thrills of an upmarket eatery. At the Chef’s Table Experience, you’ll feast on a nine-course tasting menu that uses seasonal British ingredients, yet champions the flavours and culture of Mexico. While the menu changes every few weeks to reflect what’s in season, sample dishes have included the likes of Wagyu beef ribeye tostada, with fermented plum and guajillo; and lobster, mulato and seaweed broth.
Not only will you get to indulge in premium dishes – often the first iterations of dishes destined for the main restaurant’s menu – you’ll also have a front-row seat into the development kitchen itself. You’ll be able to chat with the chefs who will offer insights into the menu’s influences, enabling you to understand more about the culture that underpins the food at Kol. Conversely, the restaurant’s wine list features vinos predominantly from Central and Eastern Europe; you can opt for a matched wine pairing for each course – yes, all nine – to accompany your meal.
Commenting on the launch of the Chef’s Table Experience, founder Santiago said: “Everything we do at KOL is driven by purpose and passion. Each supplier, craftsman, and team member is chosen because of their story and because they share those values with us.”
“After celebrating our first anniversary last year, I was looking for a way to bring these stories and passion to life, to a whole new level. The Chef’s Table Experience… allows us to experiment more freely, creating unique dishes with super seasonal produce which means that guests get a very unique experience.”
The Chef’s Table is situated on the restaurant’s lower ground floor, and is bookable for groups of three to five guests.