Iftar’s menu draws on Agha’s heritage and from recipes passed down from his mother Rita – often updated with a playful twist, such as wagyu kofta dumplings and lamb shawarma wrapped in tortillas. The design reflects this spirit of reinvention, paying homage to cultural references without veering into cliché. “I wanted to evoke tradition through the way the space feels – how it flows and how it holds people,” says Woods. “Middle Eastern design has an unmistakable warmth and depth, built on texture, repetition and a deep sense of togetherness.”Inspired by the robust, geometric watchtowers of Saudi Arabia’s Aseer region, Woods foregrounds an earthy palette and natural materials. “We used clay-rendered walls, natural timber, brushed brass and travertine,” he explains. “It was important that the materials felt honest and had a sense of history to them, even if used in a more contemporary way.” Terracotta accents sit alongside gold-veined marble tabletops, cork joinery, tactile clay walls and a gently undulating cylindrical ceiling – one of the restaurant’s most distinctive features.
