"London's Ibai restaurant spotlights the meaty delights of Basque Country's cattle"
In the heart of London, nestled between Smithfield Market and the Barbican, lies Ibai - a vibrant and relaxed restaurant that brings a taste of the French Basque Country to the City. Situated on the ground floor of a former linoleum factory, Ibai is the joint venture of Richard Foster, William Sheard, and Nemanja Borjanović, co-founded with Juan Ángel García and Ernesto Iglesias.
The open kitchen at Ibai adds a flash of theatre and a focal light source, while the ambience, designed by Box 9 - the same team behind Manteca and Oma - creates an inviting atmosphere. The restaurant's address is 90 Bartholomew Close, London EC1A 7BN, and you can find more information on their website, ibai.london.
Ibai's menu is succinct, offering a selection of dishes that are both authentic and innovative. The steak at Ibai is cooked using a French cooking method involving a three-level grill and a resting cage, and takes around 45 minutes to prepare. The result is a 1kg T-bone steak that is buttery and soft, going down surprisingly easily. Txuleta beef from retired dairy cows of the French Basque Country is a focus at Ibai, ensuring a high-quality, flavourful experience.
In addition to the steak, Ibai offers three steak options: Black Angus, Fullblood Wagyu, and Galician Blond, all available as T-bone, rib, or sirloin and uniformly cut to 1kg servings. For those seeking something a bit lighter, Le Noir de Bigorre ham and crisps, studded with piquant smoked piparra peppers, have become a talking point at Ibai.
Ibai's cocktail menu is succinct, and the dessert menu includes a house special, Ibai Gateau Basque with poached rhubarb. A plate of crab and wagyu pintxos is offered as a special, combining rich, flakey crab meat and crisp baguette with a just-seared slice of wagyu beef. The signature Croque Ibai is a decadent French hot sandwich, featuring carabinero prawns, boudin noir, Tomme de Brebis cheese, and hot honey.
Ibai's wine list is extensive and varied in terms of price point, ranging from £10 to triple-digit bottles. To stay updated on the latest news and inspiration from Ibai, subscribe to their newsletter, which delivers a daily digest of escapism, design stories, and more from around the world.
Since opening seven months ago, Ibai has received notable and justified buzz. Whether you're a steak lover, a food enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique dining experience, Ibai is a must-visit destination in London.
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