Carte Blanched dials up the energy in the heart of London

LEYDI

Where guests once had to travel to the wider districts of the capital to search for authentic Turkish cuisine, Carte Blanched has created a home for these modern flavours in a light, stylish and contemporary Central London setting. Leydi brings the vibrant flavours and all-day dining culture of Istanbul into the heart of London with a contemporary Turkish eatery on the ground floor of Hyde London City.

Partnering with Chef Selin Kiazim, the culinary talent behind the acclaimed modern Turkish restaurant Oklava in London – a critics’ favourite before it closed its doors in 2023 – Leydi sets the stage for rich culinary tradition. “Istanbul, like London, has that frenetic energy of a port town, where cultures and flavours mingle and develop,” says Kiazim, “The menu is full of unapologetically delicious dishes that define the Istanbul dining tradition, designed to be enjoyed with friends and family long into the night.”

Starting the project with a trip to Istanbul, the evolution of Leydi’s concept took place over two years. Inspired by true Lokanta-style hospitality, Leydi follows in the footsteps of Istanbul’s neighbourhood restaurants – institutions that serve everyone from the cool city creatives to the bankers – and there is something for everyone on the menu.

The thoughtfully designed menu by Kiazim, together with Leydi’s Head Chef, Halil Simsek, takes guests from breakfast until late. The day begins with varied breakfast options reminiscent of legendary Turkish morning feasts. House pastries will include Böreks and Tahinli, a caramelised tahini spiral, or stuffed Lavash rolls and egg dishes such as Menemen.

For lunch, Dishes evoking the spirit of Istanbul’s famous markets include House-made döner with freshly baked lavash, an Islak burger—a spiced beef köfte bun drenched in garlic tomato sauce—and Dayboat seafood fried in a semolina crust and served with green chilli and coriander ezme. Kiazim’s signature stone oven-baked Lahmacuns and Pides also feature proudly on the menu.

As evening descends, Leydi transforms and takes inspiration from meyhanes: the warm, and festive tavernas that have been the meeting place of the world for centuries. Menu highlights include popular mezes like Muhammara, Baked hummus with pastirma and Smoked aubergine, all complemented by freshly fired Turkish breads. Central to Kiazim’s cooking and the Leydi menu is the Turkish mangal (wood-fired grill), offering traditionally hand-chopped Adana kebap, Welsh lamb kebap with dripping pide, and Chicken thigh shish with a fragrant fenugreek marinade.

The meal is rounded off with extravagant desserts, drawing on Turkey’s long history with all things sweet and spiced. Guests can choose from Turkish ice cream with pick & mix toppings, Pistachio katmer, and the stuffed kadayif pastry known as Künefe – with an XL version for larger groups to indulge in.

Featuring an extensive selection of drinks crafted by award-winning mixologist Kevin Patnode, the menu also includes raki-based cocktails and a curated list of Mediterranean wines. The restaurant’s warm and stylish interior design creates a relaxing ambience, inviting guests to linger over cocktails while basking in the rhythm of the surrounding city life.

At Leydi, Turkish food is celebrated and meant to be shared and savoured.

BLACK LACQUER
Paying homage to Hyde’s origins on the LA club scene, Black Lacquer is an intimate cocktail bar dedicated to a love of music. With Black Lacquer, Carte Blanched invites guests to escape the hustle of the streets above and into a music-led social club. A space to meet people and have a guaranteed good time, surrounded by excellent drinks, food and music.

Accessible through its exclusive entrance on Green Arbour Court, Black Lacquer features intimate booth seating nestled in the pavement vaults, surrounded by a collection of carefully curated vinyl. The bar’s unpretentious yet refined environment is designed to celebrate food, drinks, and music in equal measure, making it a versatile space for any occasion—whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day or dance the night away.

The Black Lacquer drink philosophy adopts the same approach of that of the great record producers – less is more. Simple, clean remixes of recognisable classics – all served in elegant frozen Shotuku and Kimura glassware over large hand-carved blocks of crystal-clear ice. Juices, syrups, and cordials are freshly made in-house every single day. The signature Yuzu Shandy has a frosty crown of yuzu foam sitting on top of Japanese wheat beer, and a specially installed highball machine carbonates and chills water perfectly, ensuring the world’s best vodka soda. The cocktail list is complemented by a curated list of sake and shochu, Japanese draft beer, and a selection of wine and Champagnes, with house-made non-alcoholic sodas rotated with the seasons.

Elevating bar food beyond the usual fare, Black Lacquer serves inspired Japanese small Izakaya-style plates of tamaki, gyoza and light, umami tempura, designed to be eaten with the hands and shared.

The ever-changing soundtrack, hand-picked daily from an expansive range of vinyl records, will shift with the time of day and the mood of guests, taking them on a genre-bending journey. One thing’s for sure – whatever the time of day, it’s to be memorable. Collaborations with emerging DJs and artists will drive Black Lacquer’s cultural programming, establishing it as a dynamic social hub for all.

Whether it’s a solo drink to gather your thoughts or a meet-up with friends, Carte Blanched’s Black Lacquer is a space to take a moment and connect with good music and a good time.