John Javier appointed executive chef at Caia

Notting Hill restaurant and bar Caia will welcome John Javier (pictured middle) as executive chef in October. 

Founded by locals Rishabh Vir and Tim Lang in 2022, Caia is known for its fire-led food and downstairs dining space, The Green Room. Javier will transform the restaurant into a modern bistro with global influence. 

Dining at Caia

The chef's menu will combine bistro style with Asian ingredients and ideas. Small plates include crispy sweetbread saltimbocca with guanciale and sage, beef tartare with tosazu and oyster, and courgette carpaccio with stracciatella, pesto and green tea. 

Larger dishes, such as cacio e pepe cheung fun and chargrilled octopus with XO sauce and butter beans, will also be offered, while desserts will include lemon granita with burnt pear and honey cream, and ube, matcha and white chocolate tiramisu. 

On top of the wine list, curated by Lang, a range of cocktails will be available, with serves including Hudson Valley (Chai Calvados and Ruby Port) and Yellow Koi (Sagatiba Cachaça, Dry Curaçao and Shiso).

"This marks a new chapter for Caia," says Vir. "We began as a high-energy, big on flavour restaurant, and that spirit remains. With John at the helm, the menu is sharp, confident and defined. His cooking brings a personality and perspective that pushes us forward, while The Green Room and our music culture continue to give Caia its soul."

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