A NEW COCKTAIL BAR AND LOUNGE CONCEPT OPENS IN WILLESDEN GREEN

From the award-winning bar and restaurant group and the people who successfully brought the ‘shish’ to our
culinary consciousness, Shish Bar & Lounge opens in North West London with a lavish new interior and an
impressive cocktail list.

Celebrating the great tea and coffee houses along the Silk Route, from China in the East to Rome in the
West, Shish Bar & Lounge is a wonder-room of exotica. Authentic furniture and interior pieces have been
sourced to recreate a cornucopia of ethnic styles and cultures; intricately carved metal tables from Turkey,
hand-woven textiles from Northern India and loose scatter cushions from China blend together to create an
eclectic melting pot of vibrant colours and rich textures, all finished in a modern, relaxed environment.

The cocktail list has also been given the ‘star’ treatment with Greg Akoka of Wonder Bars whose previous
clients include Harrods, Conran and Crazy Bear. He has waved his ‘magic bartender-wand’ over the drinks
list and created an exotic drinks list of martinis, long drinks, champagne cocktails and signature ‘house’
drinks. Meticulously infusing a range of exotic fresh juices (all peeled, pulped and pressed daily on site) with
herbs and spices found along the silk route, Greg has created a tantalising medley of drinks unique to Shish;
Lychee and rose water are shaken together with vodka and topped with champagne to create the ‘Chinese
Spring Punch’; Kumquats, passion fruit, fresh limes and Cachaça are muddled together to create the
‘Imperial Kumquat’; and Pear Puree and Cinnamon Syrup is shaken with Zubrowka and freshly pressed
apple juice to create the ‘Eastern Orchard Cooler’.

Most exciting of all is their heavenly range of ice-cold Frappes (yes, alcohol is included) which combines
one sweet and one sour ingredient served over crushed ice; Melon & Pink Grapefruit is mixed with
Hendrick’s gin; Chives & Pineapple with vodka, Raspberry & Honey with gin, and Coconut & Black
Pepper with rum.

To complement the drinks menu, a range of hot and cold mezzes and sharing plates (all of which are handmade
from produce sourced daily – as is the Shish ‘3 bread basket’) are available from the downstairs restaurant. Well-known favourites such as Humus, Courgette Tzatziki and Afghan Pumpkin sit alongside Dushanbe (Lamb and Pumpkin) Dumplings, Chicken wrapped in Pandana Leaves, and Duck and Spring Onion Rolls, and are all authentically and expertly executed.

Located on the first floor, Shish Bar & Lounge has been furnished with strong accents of rich reds, purples
and violets. Banquet and loose ottoman style seating accommodates up to 100 and runs along the wall
directly opposite a large and centrally located bar decorated in brilliant gold and silver leaf mosaic tiles.
Upstairs, on the 2nd floor is a private function room that can accommodate up to 50 people with a private
terrace, and is perfect for summer alfresco dining.

Throughout the week a programme of world music will see early-week pleasure-seekers off to a global start,
with the weekends playing a range of contemporary musical styles to suit all tastes.