It’s hard to know how to top a hotel that already houses a subterranean cocktail bar by Ryan Chetiyawardana; a lobby filled with chic, one-of-a-kind furnishings; and 258 stunningly designed bedrooms.
Of course, a rooftop is a good place to start.
And if you furnish that rooftop with a stylish sleeve of a restaurant space with fantastic cocktails, incredible Eastern Mediterranean dishes, and a balcony looking out over the East London sunset… well, then you’re really cooking.
And we’re happy to report that the newly unveiled Kaso, crowning the exceptionally sleek One Hundred Shoreditch, delivers on substance as well as style.
You’ll find it on the hotel’s 7th floor, accessible by a coral-pink lift that’ll bus you up to the top of the building. Walking in, you’ll be met with a rose-tinted space where terracotta flooring, rattan furnishings, a Zellige-tiled bar and supersized cacti mingle to give the impression of a 70s Californian retreat. And fronting the entire length of the space is a verdant balcony terrace, packed with tumbling greenery, terrazzo tables and heaters, so you can soak up the Shoreditch skyline year-round. It’s genuinely quite an interesting view – you can catch sight of Centre Point and the BT Tower if you peer far enough.
Kaso is the second concept to take up residence here, firing up the grills earlier this month. It’s all overseen by Ilknur Celik, who was born & bred in Istanbul, and who climbed the culinary ladder to become the head chef for all of Soho House’s Turkish & Mediterranean restaurants. It was a similar journey for Zahter founder Esra Muslu – so we wouldn’t be surprised if Kaso similarly climbs the ranks to become one of London’s favourite Turkish spots.
That said, the influences on the menu are pretty broad, drawing from across the Eastern Mediterranean to build a variety of sharing plates designed to be mixed and matched. The only issue? You might struggle to share some of these.
You might start with a bowl of baba ganoush or a chilli pepper draped over a bed of thick, firm hummus. The flatbread is a non-negotiable: it’s delicately shreddable and unbelievably moreish, with the flavour of a corn tortilla. The tabbouleh’s another stand-out starter, thanks to bunches of fresh parsley and finely diced celery and pear.
Stepping up, there’s a colossal hunk of mint & feta borek; sumac-dusted calf’s liver; and crisp, dense falafel which comes with a dipping bowl of tahini. You might, at this point, already wonder how you’ll tackle the mains. But you’ll find a way – particularly if you order the star dish of grilled lamb cutlets; gloriously tender, crumbed with pistachio and served with a bunch of juicy roasted grapes.
The dessert list showcases some traditional Middle Eastern desserts like muhallebi, a kind of sweet milky pudding made here with Greek mastic and a dusting of pistachio; and semolina helva (fudge-like cubes of crystallised tahini), given a Kaso twist with an ice cream core. But it’s the chocolate cake that wins full indulgence points: a thick, dark wedge boasting the texture of a fridge-chilled fondant, and served with a potent cherry & raki sorbet to cut through the cocoa. It’s outrageously good.
Coupled with all this is Kaso’s drinks list, full of interesting options from Greece, Turkey and Lebanon alongside bespoke cocktails from the bar’s new head bartender Victor Gervasio. Designed to pair with the flavours of the dishes, you’ll find signatures like the Kasonist with watermelon, Greek wine and vodka, as well as the surprisingly refreshing Kaiki, which blends honeydew melon and lemonade with a heady slug of Ouzo.
Which tops things off quite nicely too.
NOTE: Kaso at One Hundred Shoreditch is open Tuesday – Sunday, with DJs on Friday & Saturday nights. You can find out more and make a booking here.
PREVIOUS PERK: Nudge Members enjoyed two exclusive preview nights with 50% off food and drink in July 2024.
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Kaso at One Hundred Shoreditch | 100 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JQ
Since you’re in the area… take a look at our guide to the best bars in Shoreditch