Introducing PYRÁ London – Spanish and Greek Flavours Perfectly Combine in this New London Hotspot
Lonsdale Road and its row of latest hotspots is a local’s secret gem, and we’re here to spill the beans. A narrow strip bustling with post-work social butterflies and evening romantics, it’s the heart of Queen’s Park. Plus, its catalogue is ever-evolving, with chic eateries and bars regularly popping up as new additions. The latest, opened in February of this year, combines the fresh flavours of two beloved Mediterranean cuisines. Pyra offers a bold new dining experience led by head chef Maria Caddeo, and boasts an eclectic menu of Spanish and Greek dishes. With its sun-drenched terrace, bustling dining room, open kitchen, and sultry vinyl, wine and cocktail bar in the loft for a night-cap, Lonsdale Road may have plenty of options, but Pyra has it all.
On a sunny Thursday evening we made our way past the stables-turned-coffee shops (Lonsdale Road was once used as a stable block for Hackney carriages) and headed straight for a swanky-looking terrace, marked by exotic foliage and a vintage convertible car. By 6pm, the space was bustling with post-work socialites sipping on spritzes- we knew we had come to the right place. Led by aromas of sizzling meats wafting through the restaurant, we took our seats overlooking the open kitchen and watched as the chefs worked their magic. On such a fine summer’s evening, something refreshing was in order. We opted for the Taste of Summer, a foamy-headed concoction of peach liqueur, sloe gin, and lime juice and the Mezcalito Verde, a fiery hit of mezcal, pineapple juice, lime juice, parsley and jalepeno. The cocktails arrived as vibrant burnt orange and lime green potions served in dainty Nick & Nora glasses and topped with a flower- pleasing to both the eye and the tastebuds.
The menu is, in Pyra’s words, “a love letter to the Mediterranean”. From well-known favourites like pan con tomate to bolder choices like skewers of octopus, Pyra offers a fresh new dining experience that celebrates the art of fire-cooked dishes, whilst seamlessly blending Greek and Spanish cuisines. Our advice? Be adventurous. Despite initial hesitation, we listened to the advice of our waiter and proceeded with the octopus skewer. This succulent, meaty mollusk sat underneath a bed of sweet piperade, a slow-roasted blend of red peppers, onions, and happened to be one of our favourite dishes of the evening. It was quickly followed by a juicy lamb cutlet drizzled in creamy harissa-spiced yoghurt and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds, a merging of flavours that was quite simply, heavenly.
For our larger plates, we opted for the wild seabass which, we can happily report, arrives de-boned, a risk one often has to take when ordering the fish. The generously-sized dish had the typical buttery, fluffy texture of seabass, but with a fire-grilled finish that paired wonderfully with its bed of babaghanoush. Our final savoury dish was the harissa-marinated, bone-in beef short rib. The fall-apart beef was drizzled in a rich Kalamata olive and sherry vinegar sauce that needless to say, ended our meal on a high note.
If this summer, you have no holidays on the horizon, fear not. A visit to Pyra will transport you to not one, but two of the Med’s most-coveted destinations. With flame-grilled finishes, floral cocktails, and a menu worth drooling over, Pyra could be one of Lonsdale Road’s best additions yet.
