Called Teal by Sally Abé, it is described as a little British bistro and will open soon on Wilton Way.
The opening has been 20 years in the making according to Abé, who was most recently head of food at The Bull at Charlbury.
In a video posted on Instagram today (12 February), Abé revealed she has finally got the keys to the premises.
“My restaurant that I have been dreaming of for 20 years is now becoming a reality,” she says.
The restaurant, which is due to open in March is partnership with co-owner Abe Drewry, is named after Abé’s favourite game bird. Menu items will include snacks such as angels on horseback; and devils on horseback; and starters such as Dorset crab royale.
Mains will include haunch of deer with pickled walnuts and cavolo nero; and Cornish mussels, Jersey Royals, cauliflower and sea kale.
For desserts, a favourite of British confectionery will be translated in a raspberry marshmallow teacake, as well as Sally a marmalade ice cream sandwich; and the penny lick, a £1 homage to the affordable nineteenth century confect with the proceeds to be donated to Hackney Food Bank.
Drewry, who previously worked with Abé at The Bull at Charlbury, will put together a constantly evolving wine list, working with limited cases that will be refreshed throughout the season. There will be a focus on champagne and French wine.
“Opening Teal by Sally Abé feels incredibly personal. It’s the first restaurant I’ve built entirely on my own, on my own two feet, and I’m hugely proud of that,” says Abé.
“After years of working in other peoples’ businesses and kitchens, this is me putting my name, my values and my voice into a space that’s truly mine.
“Teal by Sally Abé is about celebrating the best of British food, its history, its flavours, and its stories, while championing women, supporting good causes, and building a restaurant that feels rooted in its community.
“I can’t wait to open the doors in Hackney and show people exactly what I’ve been working towards.”
Abé has an impressive CV that includes time at Notting Hill’s The Ledbury and Fulham’s The Harwood Arms. While overseen by Abé as head chef, the latter retained its Michelin star and was named the best gastropub in the country at the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs awards in 2020.
She then went onto lead The Pem restaurant at the Conrad London St James hotel before departing last year to join Public House Group’s The Bull at Charlbury.
The former Sesta site that Teal by Sally Abé will occupy has been vacant since October last year, when owners Drew Snaith and Hannah Kowalski closed their restaurant after just one year, blaming the tough economic climate.
Before that the site, which had 26 covers when it was Sesta, was home to English restaurant Pidgin.
Teal by Sally Abé will open on 26 March.
