The duo behind som saa, Mark Dobbie and Andy Oliver, have announced that they will open Kolae, this October. Taking up residence in London’s Borough Market, the menu will focus on grilled dishes, especially Kolae - a cooking style from the south of Thailand.
Kolae (also known as Golae, Galae and Gaw Lae) is a style of cooking found in Thailand’s Southern provinces, where ingredients (most commonly chicken) are generously coated in a curry-like coconut marinade before being grilled over open flames. Signature dishes will include the half kolae chicken, marinated in a sauce fragrant of lemongrass, fresh turmeric, black pepper, as well as seasonal fish, seafood and vegetarian specials, all cooked using a similar technique. There will also be refreshing salads pounded to order in a pestle and mortar and fiery nam phrik relishes accompanying larger dishes and counteracting the earthy flavours of the grill. The succinct drinks menu will feature a handful of creative cocktails, each made using fresh Thai ingredients, as well as a list of 15-20 wines - mostly available by the glass - and a small selection of beers and ciders.
The restaurant will be housed inside an old London coach house, with just under 80 covers split over three floors, and will include a small alfresco courtyard dining area as well as a private dining room at the top of the building set amongst the rafters.
Speaking of the opening, Mark commented; ‘Borough is an area that we’ve loved spending time in over the years, with an amazing restaurant scene, so it feels like a significant moment for us to be opening Kolae there.’ Andy added; ‘The concept for Kolae has been in the works for a long time and this feels like an exciting new direction for us. It will be a celebration of some very special dishes, ingredients and techniques that excite and inspire us.’
