Hoppers goes to King’s Cross London
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On the road:In Galle, one of the destinations that inspired the restaurant;s concept
On Tuesday, February 11, Hoppers, from JKS Restaurants, inspired by the home cooking and roadside stalls of Sri Lanka and southern India, opened its new restaurant in Pancras Square, King’s Cross, London. The inspiration for Hoppers King’s Cross follows the much-travelled coastal journey from Colombo, the island’s capital, down to the historic Dutch town of Galle.
Taking cues from iconic landmarks along the scenic coastal route, the interiors by Article Design Studio incorporate features from Geoffrey Bawa’s Bentota Railway Station, and the Coat of Arms Bar at Jetwing’s Lighthouse Hotel in Galle. Welcoming guests will be a centrepiece iron-clad concrete island bar, complemented by warm, terracotta-toned floors throughout the main dining area. Batik-patterned designs adorn the ceilings, a nod to the dining rooms of the Coat of Arms Bar, and the walls are decorated with traditional hand-loom fabric panels woven exclusively for Hoppers by Selyn, a Fairtrade-guaranteed company working with weavers and artists in local villages. The lighting within the space reflects the Dutch influences throughout Galle, with cast iron framed glass lanterns illuminating the main dining room.
The menu will feature exclusive dishes for King’s Cross with bar bites and short eats such as Chilli + Curry Leaf Peanuts; Jaffna Isso Vade with Curd Chilli; Mussel Hodi + String Hoppers; Ambulthial Cutlets and Sizzling Beef Poriyal alongside curries and grills, which are ideal for sharing, like Southern Fish curry; Tempered Bean +Cashew Kari; Pettah Whole Quail Kari + Quail Egg Pahe; Blue Swimmer Crab Kari and Black Pepper Curry Leaf Prawns.
Hoppers King’s Cross features an extended bar, where guests can stop by for drinks, bar snacks and short eats. The drinks menu has a selection of beers on tap, including two of Hoppers’ own brewed beers – the ‘Hoppers SPL’ (Sri Lankan Pale Lager) in collaboration with local brewery Camden Town Brewery, a fresh, crisp lager with the addition of green mango; and a ‘Toddy Ale’ in collaboration with SALT Beer Factory in Bradford, a rich, creamy coconut IPA inspired by toddy. On the cocktail list there are sharing punches, swizzles and coolers inspired by classic 1960s Tiki-style drinks, blended with tropical flavours from the sub-continent. Guests can also order ‘tap cocktails’ such as Nitro Frothy Kappi, a spiced creamy nitro cold brew espresso martini made using Sri Lankan coffee, and Arrack Attack No.3, a house fermented ginger beer with Ceylon Arrack and lime.
Karan Gokani says, “It’s been great to see London embrace Hoppers since we opened in Soho four years ago, and we look forward to continuing the journey with the opening of King’s Cross. Inspired by the coastal journey from Colombo to Galle, we’re looking forward to cooking more seafood and southern dishes at King’s Cross. The crab kari (curry)is a dish we are particularly looking forward to having on the menu – we’ve spent a long time developing it – and have even managed to source live Sri Lankan blue swimmer crabs for the first time.”