RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH: ARA 📍 1 New Drum St, London E1 7AY 🕯️ The Vibes Ara is an all-day dining spot in East London serving bold, well-travelled dishes inspired by everywhere and nowhere in particular. By day, it’s bright and breezy and by night, it transitions into a darker, more intimate space. At Ara, sustainability is at the core of everything they do, from their business model to their architecture and interiors. Inspired by her deep commitment to the planet, they teamed up with interior designer Nina Woodcroft (Nina+Co), sourcing eco-friendly materials and collaborating with local makers to create a space that is tactile, engaging and FULL of stories. In fact, you get to lounge on chairs made from pineapple leather crafted from discarded pineapple leaves. 🍍 🫒 The Food Ara keeps it local, seasonal, and SERIOUSLY tasty. They work with nearby suppliers and use seasonal British ingredients whenever they can—even swapping out tropical pomelo in their zingy ’no-pomelo’ salad (a twist on a Thai classic) to stay true to their roots. Jaime and Michael from the Botivo Team were lucky enough to try the salad and can confirm it pairs VERY well with the crispy fried chicken. Their wine list? 🍷 Just as thoughtful. Think organic, biodynamic and low-intervention wines from producers who care about the land as much as the craft of winemaking. From bold Rhône Syrahs to funky Georgian orange wines, every pour tells a story. 🕺 The People Murat Kilic, the brains behind Route and Amber, launched Ara to explore his love of travel and experimentation, crediting his grandfather for teaching him the basics of cooking back in their native Turkey. GM Wade Mundford also brings serious experience, having opened The Melusine in 2019. Go check it out!