Zala, a new Middle Eastern restaurant specialising in authentic meze, Levantine pizzas, pitas and grilled meats, is now open at The West Yard (near KERB Camden Market).
Part of Zala’s charm is it’s alfresco takeaway bar and pizza oven, complete with roofed restaurant out back for when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Featuring high ceilings, a mezzanine level and plenty of windows, the space feels bright and airy. With the hustle and bustle of Camden Market outside, it’s a prime spot for people watching.
The menu combines traditional Arab and Mediterranean ingredients married with western cooking techniques to create earthy dishes, packed with flavour.
This good value offering kicks off aptly with a complimentary selection of regularly changing meze, including a roast cauliflower salad, bursting with flavour, fresh hummus, baba ganoush, tahini, sweet potato and parsley salad and a bag of moreish flatbread.
Mains includes skewers of grilled meats served on light, fluffy flatbreads and drizzled with traditional sauces such as Matcbucha (slow roasted tomato and pepper) and yoghurt.
Levantine cuisine wouldn’t be complete without pita, and at Zala, they come in various combinations including beef & lamb kebab, ‘Arayas’ grilled beef, prawn & roast cauliflower and sirloin steak & egg.
Last, but by no means least, the light as a feather Levantine Pizzas. Instead of the usual Italian base, a classic Turkish dough (containing yoghurt) is fermented, the Neapolitan way. The end result: A mash up of the best loved Italian staple and the popular Turkish dish, ‘Lahmacun’, meaning ‘meat in bread’ in Arabic.
Zala offers simple, honest good value Middle Eastern cooking in a fun environment, it’s a winning combination.
