A thank you post from FKABAM and one of its dishes

FOODIES were in tears this week as a couple announced their plan to close their hit restaurant on Highbury Corner.

Lee and Kate Tiernan said the final service at FKABAM would be on December 20 – just three months after its 10th anniversary.

It consistently won rave reviews for its bold and unusual menus – often inspired by Turkish ­mangal grills – and developed a cult following, especially those who enjoyed its thumping sound system.

The restaurant’s former name was Black Axe Mangal.

Mr Tiernan said that the next step would be to run a “pop-up” at the same site – a former Chinese restaurant next to the Hen and Chickens theatre pub.

“The concept will continue as pop-ups and events bringing the same unique style and vibrations,” he said in an update post on social media.

“We have been ‘cooking’ up new ideas and we’re making space for them to flourish in 2026. Kate and I are extremely proud of what we have achieved, a huge and sincere thanks to everyone who has played a part.”

He thanked loyal customers who had “been injecting so much positive energy into our tiny, loud space on Highbury Corner”.

But he also quoted a classic film as part of his bye for now.

Mr Tiernan said: “Ferris Bueller said ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it’ – so we are going to change it up whilst it feels good.”

The couple had tested the restaurant in Copenhagen before starting it up in Islington.

The cosy nature of the restaurant meant it had a delayed comeback from Covid with no chance of social distancing – and it was closed for 18 months during the crisis.

Mr Tiernan said later this happened just after its busiest month in 2020.

“I love the hospitality industry, but it’s a tough old game – and there are plenty of easier ways to carve out a living than the restaurant trade. Most of us are in the business for the pleasure of it. The pleasure to feed, host and serve,” he said later.

“Restaurants are important because they’re both a luxury, and integral to our society. Humans are social: we like to have fun, indulge, eat great food, get drunk. I want to facilitate that. I love being a part of that.”