Two New Restaurants Are Launching At Somerset House

Somerset House has a longstanding reputation for its arts and culture offerings, featuring a diverse array of galleries, fairs, and concerts annually. However, the historic site is rapidly gaining recognition for its gastronomic offerings as well.

© Somerset House

Earlier this year, the popular riverfront bar Setlist commenced operations, offering cuisine from a dynamic selection of female chefs, and this September, two additional restaurants are set to debut.

Poon and Aram to Launch at Somerset House

This September marks the inaugural restaurant of London-based chef Amy Poon, daughter of the esteemed Chinese chef Bill Poon and creator of the deli and grocery brand Poon’s London. Following the closure of her father’s establishment, Poon’s, in 2003, she has perpetuated its heritage through a succession of pop-up events and residencies. She will now advance this purpose by inaugurating a new establishment in the New Wing of Somerset House, referred to as Poon’s, which represents an evolution of the original.

She will illuminate the lesser-known foods prepared daily in Chinese households, emphasizing the utilization of steaming as a cooking technique. The menu will feature a trademark claypot rice dish, a hallmark of the original Poon’s, in addition to ‘magic soup’, with wind-dried meats incorporated throughout, prepared using a unique technique devised by Poon’s grandfather. The bar area will provide Chinese 'siu2 siku' small dishes.

The second restaurant scheduled to debut at Somerset House this September is founded by Syrian chef Imad Alarnab. After escaping war-torn Syria, he traversed Europe preparing meals for refugees, ultimately establishing himself in London, where he gained prominence for his charitable dinner clubs. In early 2020, he inaugurated his inaugural physical restaurant, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, in Soho.

This September, he will further expand his empire with Aram: a deli, café, and restaurant established in collaboration with co-founders Michalis Ntais and Christos Georgogiannopoulos. The emphasis will be on baked goods, as well as breakfast and lunch meals influenced by Eastern Mediterranean cuisine from Syria, Turkey, Cyprus, and Jordan.

The counter will showcase a selection of pastries, salads, wraps, and breads, including za’atar croissants and halva brownies, complemented by cardamom-spiced coffee and Syrian mint tea. Guests may select from the lunch menu, which features roasted aubergine salad with chickpeas and tahini dressing, curry cauliflower with rocket and parsley, as well as brunch options such as poached eggs with labneh, potato rosti with sumac salmon, and French brioche toast with tahini and carbon molasses syrup.

The restaurant, spanning four rooms, will include expansive sash windows that provide an influx of natural light. One area, set to open later this year, will be designated as Samamlik and will hold charity events and supper clubs featuring emerging cooks. A shop will provide Mediterranean items, like Medjool dates, chili jam, and Aram ground coffee.

“I am thrilled to inaugurate Aram alongside my friends Michalis and Christos,” stated Alarnab. We are collectively motivated by the Eastern Mediterranean, which evokes a sense of home, and we aim to commemorate this in the most effective manner, from our new establishment to the items featured in our menu. The inauguration at Somerset House is a significant achievement for us and appears to be the ideal venue to realize Aram's vision.

Poon’s and Arm will be situated adjacent to the current restaurant Spring, which specializes in seasonal cuisine led by Skye Gyngell, along with Rishim Sachdeva’s plant-centric Café Petiole. The newly inaugurated Setlist offers cocktails and cuisine crafted by four chefs: Opeoluwa Odutayo, Sophie Wyburd, Andrea Montes Renaud, and Laura Copp, along with ice cream by Happy Endings founder Terri Mercieca.

The recent restaurant openings are integral to the 25th anniversary festivities of Somerset House. The facility has been made accessible to the public in an unprecedented manner, featuring dedicated artist studios and seminars. The year commenced with the inauguration of a significant exhibition, SOIL: The World At Our Feet.

Poon's and Aram will commence operations this September. Discover additional information and make a reservation at somersethouse.org.uk