John Javier opens new restaurant

Chef John Javier has opened his new restaurant, The Tent (at the end of the universe), at 17 Little Portland Street, Fitzrovia, London. 

The venue offers Javier's contemporary take on Middle Eastern food in an intimate concept dining room. Guests are joined by a seated DJ in the 34-cover space, surrounded by Berlin's Martion Audiosysteme.

This is Javier's first venture into Middle eastern cuisine, with the chef usually recognised for his playful interpretation of Chinese food. The Filipino-born chef was raised in Australia, starting out his career in the acclaimed Quay, Noma and Momofuku Seiobo, before opening rock & roll Chinese restaurant MASTER in Sydney, and more recently leading the kitchen at Happy Paradise in Hong Kong. 

A homage to Middle Eastern flavours and techniques, the menu at The Tent changes weekly, featuring the likes of suckling lamb or mushroom shish; dairy cow rib with ras el hanout; carabineros prawns with baharat spices; and grilled onions with sumac and pomegranate molasses.

Alongside these dishes sit the chef's house-made dips, from hummus and chilli oil to burnt lime; tzatziki dressed with wakame oil; beetroot and labneh borani; and taramasalata with onion ash. 

Menus are served with the chef's signature twists, such as secreto schnitzel (a popular dish in Israel, but the chef swaps chicken breast for Iberico port or Saganaki cheese) and ingredients rarely represented in the region's fare, such as dashi, kombu and yuzu kosho in place of more authentic seasonings and aromatics. 

The concise drinks list sees Japanese whiskies sit alongside mezcals, CBT teas and herbal infusions. A selection of wines, predominantly sourced from Europe, is also offered, as well as a cocktail menu including spirits such as chardonnay grape skin vodka and coconut bourbon.

The dining room is designed in the theme of a tent: dimly lit with canvas ceiling awnings, star-lit installations and lunar-inspired lighting casting over low stool seating. Wednesday nights feature live music ranging from Brazilian jazz to experimental. Music is an important part of the dining experience throughout the week and a carefully curated list of DJs play each dinner service with seated DJs intimately nestled between diners in the room. 

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