For someone who’s never been to the restaurant, what are the must-try dishes?

Well, currently, we run an ever-changing menu. So it’s difficult to say, but I would say you should always have a flatbread when you’re at [FKA Black Axe Mangal]. And you should always try one of the offal dishes.

How long is your Notify list on any given night?

We sort of do a return in around an hour and a half, to an hour [and forty-five]. So it’s unlikely that you’ll wait longer than an hour and a half. We have a pub just next door to us. So there’s always lots places to have a quick drink beforehand in Islington.

What do you think keeps the restaurant packed each night?

I think that what keeps our restaurant busy is that we are quite unique in London in the way we do what we do.

You know, it’s high end and well thought-out, but we also have like a fun, vibey bar-like environment. We combine that to sort of juxtapose the two things — you come in and the music’s loud, and everything’s really kind of dark and not Instagram-friendly. You can’t take a good picture at night in our restaurant and that’s purposely so. So I think one of the reasons it’s busy is because it’s because it’s different. Flavours are bold, and the environment is fun and bold, but we don’t compromise on quality of produce or in your execution.

One of the reasons that we stayed popular, even nearly 10 years on, is because we’re offering something that’s fun, but also delicious. And you’re unlikely to have the same meal twice.

What’s the vibe like on a Friday night? What music is playing? What’s the crowd like?

So the vibe of the restaurant is having a good time. You’re gonna get to know your neighbour potentially, the music will be loud, it’s fun. It’s a night out. It’s a place where if you ask, we might play your favourite tune. You never know. People might dance. It’s happened. Sometimes it just goes like that.

We’re there to have a good time, and we want you to have a good time too.

Which is your favourite table? Can people request specific tables?

They can’t. I like to sit at the bar so I can watch, look into the kitchen, and see the action. But we don’t really reserve the bar. But we now have a situation where you’ll either be sat at a table or the bar.

We used to only reserve the tables but what we were finding is that we didn’t have wiggle room for traveling people turning up late.

Finally, any tips or tricks for getting a table during the busiest periods?

Don’t be a dick.

I’m joking. Bring a bottle for the kitchen. You walk up to a restaurant and you’ve got a bottle of something for the kitchen, for the staff. And if you walk up somewhere with a bottle for the staff, and be like, ‘I know you’re really busy, but we would love to come’, then we’re gonna go out of our way to seat you because it looks like you’re into it.

We’re all about having a good time. About the lightness and the fun so people can come in and have a great time and maybe make some new friends, have a delicious meal, maybe sing along to their favourite track. If it’s your birthday, we’re going to light a candle, turn the lights down, and play 50 Cent.

FKA Black Axe Mangal is open Wednesday to Saturday, 6-10:30pm. The restaurant is offering a one-off brunch service on Saturday June 17th as part of Resy Drop Week. Make a reservation here. 

Juli Suazo is a freelance writer based in London.