Last week (week commencing February 10) saw a brand-spanking-new addition to the impressive list of Marylebone restaurants. A stone’s throw from the renowned Chiltern Firehouse and Carlotta, you’ll now find Shakara: a lavish West African spot with all the credentials for an unforgettable dining and drinking experience. We took a visit a couple of days after its opening, on Valentine’s Day, and well, spoiler alert for this review of Shakara: it’s safe to say we fell in love.
Sitting at the helm are chefs Angelo Gonzalez and Victor Okunowo (of MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 fame), while Consultant Executive Chef Ayo Adeyemi, formerly of Michelin-starred West African restaurant Akoko helped advise on the menu. Akoko was one of the first restaurants I reviewed during my time at Secret London, and it set the bar high. How did Shakara compare?
The space
Shakara bills itself as “contemporary African cuisine and cocktail bar“. It is set across two floors, with a main restaurant, bar, and private dining areas. On my visit, the ambience was sublime: the main restaurant area was lowly lit, and a mix of Afrohouse, Afrobeats, R&B, and house music played out. Later on in the evening, a live band took to the stage, and when I tell you, the singer’s voice was like butter. So smooth and soulful. We actually stayed for a short while post-meal, purely to enjoy the rest of the set.
The venue itself has such a warm, inviting vibe to it: pendant lights dazzle above terracotta walls (said to be inspired by Nigeria’s red soil). Shakara aims to honour Yoruba culture while also offering an air of exclusivity; something it does very well.
The menu at Shakara
Much like the whole concept, Shakara’s menu combines the rich cultural traditions of West Africa with global influences and a strong sense of fine dining. The flavours are specifically influenced by the traditional ingredients of Nigeria, Ghana, and The Gambia, and the chefs showcase this food with a modern twist.
While the starters of earthy hummus and plantain chips, and the Yassa bread and chicken butter, were delightful – that Yassa bread hid an indulgently sweet surprise between its layers – it was the beetroot rose, served with smoked mackerel, and caviar that truly captured my heart. That dish was exquisite; and contrary to my normal preferred flavours. I couldn’t get enough of the mackerel mousse, even resorting to using the extra plantain chips and Yassa bread to mop it all up.
As for the main dishes, the lamb was soft and flavourful, with a jus that added an indulgent buttery taste – both cuts of this meat were cooked to perfection. If you want something lighter, I’d suggest the fish, which tastes pared back and fresh.
Dessert also brought a collaboration of flavours: the vanilla pannacotta, with pineapple, and guava sorbet was sweet and cleansed the palette, while the chocolate dessert married tartness and sweetness together. Everything was served with a smile; we had fab service throughout the evening, and great care was taken to adjust our dishes, or the dishes of those around us for any dietary preferences (yes, I eavesdropped – I did it for the purpose of this Shakara review).
The drinks at Shakara
Shakara puts just as much importance on its drinks menu as it does its food, with a long list of spirits, wines, and bespoke cocktails available to diners. During our visit, my partner tried a Sorrel Caipirinha, which he noted was strong in alcohol – and while the sorrel flavour was a little subdued, the mango came through well. I tried the Scarlett 0, and it was up there with one of the tastiest mocktails I’ve had: refreshing and fruity. I wasn’t drinking on this occasion, but Jollof Mary? I’ll be back for you, hun.
To conclude this review of Shakara, I recommend checking out this newly opened restaurant: it offers lavish West African cuisine and lush mixology, and between the flavours of the food and the vibes of the music, I was left dancing in my seat. Yes, you know that ‘happy food dance’. Cost-wise, it is more of a ‘treat yourself’ option than ‘let’s grab a quick meal’, but the fact it was pretty busy so soon after its opening is a testament to the level of dining experience Shakara offers.