The Marriage of Food and Research

He opened KOL in 2020. Situated in London, five minutes from London’s landmark Marble Arch, he celebrates Mexican culture’s vibrancy and rich heritage through a nostalgic yet subjective contemporary lens. Additionally, he uses produce meticulously sourced from Britain, and all of these aspects, married with Santiago’s unbridled curiosity and dedication, blend to perfect Michelin-starred effect.

The Marriage of Food and Research

KOL is a restaurant and Mezcaleria and home to the award-winning cuisine of Chef Santiago Lastra. Originally from Mexico, Santiago has created strong, bold menus that celebrate his homeland’s rich cultural tastes, aromas, and textures with meticulously sourced seasonal British produce. Part craftsman, part researcher, his cuisine is a contrast of elegance and balance that uniquely interprets Britain through a Mexican lens, melding the diverse landscapes and seas of both. The complexity of his cuisine is celebrated by a wine list that boasts 100% biodynamic and organic wine from Central and Eastern Europe, the minerality of which are robust and dense enough to match the intricate balance of his dishes.

In addition, the Mezcaleria offers an accompanying food menu in the form of Antojitoslittle cravings. The informal yet refined Antojitos are given equal prominence to the drinks.

The Mezcaleria and The Chef’s Table are punctuated by selected artworksalternating Mexican folk art and contemporary British-crafted objects. Service throughout is attentive, personal, and knowledgeable.

Downstairs is KOL’s private dining room, the Chef’s Table. With views into its dedicated kitchen, the room seats up to 20 guests for private events in secluded comfort around a central sharing table.

Downstairs, the popular stand-alone bar, Mezcaleria, specialises in mezcal and other premium Mexican spirits. Mirroring the kitchen’s philosophy, cocktails are made using agave-based spirits paired with seasonal British ingredients.

KOL is five minutes from London’s landmark Marble Arch, with a main dining room at ground floor level, The Chef’s Table and Mezcaleria downstairs. The comfortable interiors of the restaurant have been created around a central show kitchen, where guests can observe the respect given to the food as each dish is prepared. The design blends textural elements of stucco, clay, and travertine with leather, oak, and elm wood features. Colours are based on an earthy palette in various hues of yellow, pink, and burnt orange in an ode to the streets of Mexico.