Turkish grill chain to make UK debut

Turkish grill chain Ali Ocakbasi is to open its first UK site in Leicester Square next month.

The chain, which specialises in a fusion of traditional and modern Anatolian cuisine, will open at 16 Irving Street in a 2,000 sq ft unit on a 10-year lease.

The menu features grilled dishes including Patlıcanlı kebap (a kebab of aubergine and cubes of marinated chicken); beyaz peynir ( traditional Turkish cheese); içli köfte (stuffed meatball with onions and bulgur wheat); alongside a range of salads, breads and gluten-free baked goods.

Ali Ocakbasi was founded in 2012 by Okan Akkaş and Ahmet Uçar. It has four branches in Istanbul, Amsterdam and Vienna.

Kiren Dhesi, of Cedar Dean Group, which acted for the previous tenant Woodblox on the deal said: "We are really excited to have sold the lease to Ali Ocakbasi, making London the latest home to its European growth plans, following Amsterdam and Vienna. We are looking forward to doing a lot more work with them in the future."

Adam Landau of One One One Advisory acted for Ali Ocakbasi. He added: "Ali Ockobasi will be showing off Anatolian cooking techniques and recipes that London has yet to experience to such an authentic degree."

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