If you’ve read us for awhile, you’ll know about Zoe and Layo (we love Z&L!). Founders of the brilliant END nightclub, they then went on to launch the hugely successful Palomar, in addition to a host of other restaurants, and now they’re opening The Barbary Next Door, a 10-seater bar serving smoky dishes featuring Moorish Spanish and North African cooking. They’ve given us their favourite London spots, and some teasers on TBND.
UJ: Favourite London restaurants (one upscale, one casual please)?
Z: The River Cafe; Asakusa
L: Scott’s; Afghan Kitchen
UJ: Favourite London bar?
Z: Passione Vino
L: Satan’s Whiskers
UJ: Favourite London hotel?
Z: The Rookery
L: Chiltern Firehouse
UJ: Favourite London area?
Z: Parliament Hill and Dartmouth Park
L: London Fields
UJ: Where do you go for a disco dance?
Z: These days… back to mine
L: Warehouse parties
UJ: Travel destination on your list?
Z: Drive Big Sur
L: Seeing snow leopards in the Himalayas
UJ: What’s a highlight to look out for at The Barbary Next Door?
Z: Snatch the window seat, sip your caña and let the sun set on your day.
L: Where should I begin … we have taken everything we loved about breakfast and given it a twist – so fantastic coffee, granola, a whole range of Moroccan pastries and roadside eggs. Moving on to lunch and dinner, there are new breads and dips, raw fish dishes and then of course a tagine! My top tip would be to come mid afternoon, have a caña or a glass of wine and then start working your way through the menu.
UJ: And what can you tell us about the vibe at The Barbary Next Door. Can we expect the same Palomar party-ish vibes at the bar, or will it be more relaxed?
Z: I’m imagining a pretty vibrant atmosphere, much like what you find when you stumble on a great little haunt on. back street of many beautiful southern European Cities. This project gives me a lot of nostalgia for the year I spent Living In Barcelona (a long time ago)…
The Barbary Next Door opens 30 October, 2021.
