For those who are perplexed that there is only one kosher venue in the West End (Reubens), and that dining at Tony Page’s Island Grill on a regular basis would be a monotonous way to spend a second mortgage, here is an interesting development that will please your wallet, give you an alternative to Reubens, and mitigate a schlep to Golders Green or Hendon for a bite to eat.
In this case, it is Arros QD, the acclaimed Spanish fusion restaurant in Fitzrovia which solved all these three burning issues, by hosting a kosher fine dining pop-up on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The event, a collaboration with kosher food influencer Joanna Nissim, marked the first time the Michelin-starred venue offered a fully kosher menu, setting a new benchmark for luxury kosher experiences in the capital.
The exclusive one-night event, supervised by the Kehillas Federation, drew kosher food enthusiasts eager to sample Arros QD’s signature Valencian cuisine-typically off-limits to those observing kosher dietary laws. Executive Chef Eduardo Adrobo and his team undertook a rigorous kashering process, swapping out all cookware and utensils for kosher-approved items and adapting the restaurant’s famed open-fire grill to meet strict kosher standards.
Joanna Nissim, known for her vibrant social media presence and advocacy for elevated kosher cuisine, spearheaded the initiative. Inspired by the high standards of kosher fine dining in the United States, Nissim aimed to bring a similar level of creativity and sophistication to London’s kosher market. “I wanted to give guests a flavour of the meaty menu that would otherwise be off-limits,” she said, emphasizing her vision of a truly gourmet kosher experience.
The event featured a carefully curated tasting menu, blending Spanish and Mediterranean flavors with seasonal ingredients, all within kosher guidelines. Tickets, priced at £150 per person, sold out quickly, reflecting strong demand for innovative kosher dining in London. Relatively on-par with Tony Page’s fabulous Marylebone venue.
Industry observers see the success of the Arros QD pop-up as a sign of growing appetite for high-end kosher events and a potential catalyst for more mainstream restaurants to explore kosher collaborations in the future.
There are only two downsides: It sold out, and it was only for one day.
The question is, if it sold out at £150 per ticket, why are no others setting up permanently? Clearly the demand is there.
(Image credit: Arros Fitzrovia)