OMA, whose name comes from the Greek exclamation expressing delight, truly deserves such a response. The restaurant, located at 3 Bedale Street in the bustling Borough Market, offers a culinary journey that goes beyond the traditional boundaries of Greek cuisine. Chef Jorge Paredes, under the watchful eye of owner David Carter, has created a menu that is both an homage to Greek traditions and a bold step into the future of gastronomy.

What sets OMA apart from other Michelin-starred restaurants is its affordability. Unlike many upscale establishments where the bill can make your head spin, OMA offers a Michelin-star level experience at prices that can be described as average. This is made possible by an organic financing model - the restaurant is backed by Carter's other ventures, such as Smokestak and Manteca, which allows it to keep costs under control without compromising on quality.

OMA's menu is a fascinating mix of tradition and innovation. The raw bar section offers such delicacies as cod with jalapeno aguachile or yellowfin tuna with clementine and mature soy sauce. For lovers of more filling dishes, the restaurant offers clay pot dishes that are reminiscent of home-cooked Greek meals, but with a modern twist. Particularly noteworthy are the skewers of lamb belly caramelized with date molasses and the butterflied mullet with red miso butter - combinations that surprise with their harmony of flavors and textures.

One of the most fascinating aspects of OMA is the baking program overseen by Eyal Schwartz, the founding head baker of E5 Bakehouse. The restaurant focuses on lesser-known breads, such as açma (a Turkish bagel-like bread), malawah (a Somali sweet pancake) and laffa (a long-fermented pita-like pancake). These bakery specialties are not just a side dish, but an integral part of the culinary experience that OMA offers.

The open kitchen is another element that adds magic to a visit to OMA. Guests can watch the team of chefs prepare their meals with confidence and precision, creating a kind of culinary spectacle. This transparency not only builds trust, but also allows guests to appreciate the craftsmanship and passion behind each dish.

OMA's history is as fascinating as its menu. David Carter, a Barbados-born hospitality expert, studied in Canada before moving to the UK. His vision of a modern Greek restaurant that combines tradition with innovation has found its embodiment at OMA. In less than a year after opening, the restaurant earned a Michelin star, a remarkable achievement and a milestone for Greek cuisine in the UK.

What makes OMA special is not only the food, but also the atmosphere. The young and enthusiastic service team adds vitality and fun to the dining experience. The restaurant is designed primarily for Londoners looking for a sophisticated but approachable dining experience. Its location in Borough Market, a bustling area with a mix of tourists and locals, further adds to its appeal.

One of the most intriguing aspects of OMA is its discreet entrance, which adds an element of mystery and the excitement of discovering a hidden treasure. The restaurant is located on the floor above AGORA, its more casual sister, which creates an interesting contrast between the two dining experiences in the same building. This duality reflects the philosophy of David Carter, who believes in creating culinary spaces that suit different needs and occasions.

Of note are the lesser-known but fascinating items on OMA's menu. The restaurant offers seasonal specials that are often not listed on the regular menu, which reflect the freshest and best ingredients available at any given time. These 'chef's secrets' are often recommended by the staff and provide an excellent opportunity to discover new flavors and combinations.

Another interesting aspect of OMA is its approach to wines. The restaurant's wine list focuses on wines from the Mediterranean, with a particular emphasis on Greek vineyards. Many of these wines are rarely found outside Greece, giving guests a unique opportunity to discover new flavors and aromas. The restaurant's sommelier passionately talks about each wine, its origins and how it pairs with the dishes on the menu.

OMA also has a fascinating history associated with its name. 'Oma' in Greek is an exclamation expressing delight, similar to the English "Oh my!". This name perfectly reflects the reaction the restaurant seeks to elicit from its guests - a mix of surprise, delight and the joy of discovering new flavors.

One of the lesser-known facts about OMA is that the restaurant actively works with local suppliers from Borough Market. Many of the ingredients used in the kitchen come directly from market vendors, which not only ensures freshness and quality, but also supports the local community. This 'farm-to-table' philosophy is an integral part of OMA's ethics and contributes to the unique character of its dishes.

The restaurant also has an interesting history associated with its interior design. OMA's design was inspired by traditional Greek taverns, but with a modern, minimalist twist. Elements such as handmade ceramics, natural materials and subtle references to Greek architecture create a space that is both cozy and sophisticated. Each design element has been carefully chosen to complement the culinary journey that OMA offers.

It is also interesting to note that OMA regularly hosts special culinary events, such as dinners featuring guest chefs from Greece. These events give guests the opportunity to experience authentic Greek flavors and culinary techniques, often from regions that are less well known outside of Greece. This is part of OMA's mission to educate and inspire its guests, introducing them to the rich world of Greek gastronomy.

Also worth mentioning is OMA's approach to sustainability. The restaurant actively works to minimize waste and maximize the use of every ingredient. For example, leftover bread is recycled into tarhana rolls, a traditional Greek ingredient similar to couscous. This 'zero waste' philosophy not only contributes to the environment, but also inspires creativity in the kitchen.

Earning a Michelin star in less than a year since opening is a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the exceptional quality of the culinary experience offered by OMA. The restaurant has become the first Greek restaurant in the UK to receive this prestigious honor, marking a milestone for Greek cuisine in the country. This achievement is the result of the passion, creativity and hard work of the team led by David Carter and Chef Jorge Paredes.

What sets the culinary experience at OMA apart is the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. The restaurant pays homage to classic Greek flavors and techniques, while incorporating modern elements and influences from other cuisines. This fusion creates dishes that are at once familiar and surprising, traditional and innovative.

One of the most impressive aspects of OMA is the quality and freshness of the ingredients. The restaurant places a strong emphasis on seasonality and works with the best suppliers to ensure the highest quality products. Many ingredients are sourced directly from Borough Market, which not only guarantees their freshness, but also supports the local community and minimizes the carbon footprint.

Another element that contributes to the exceptional dining experience at OMA is precision and technique. The team of chefs works with extreme precision and attention to detail, which is evident in every aspect of the dishes - from ingredient preparation to cooking to presentation on the plate. This technical excellence is one of the key criteria for Michelin-starred restaurants.

However, despite its technical excellence and sophistication, OMA maintains the approachability and friendliness that are characteristic of Greek hospitality. The restaurant avoids pretentiousness and creates an atmosphere where guests feel at ease and welcome. This balance between sophistication and approachability is one of the most endearing aspects of OMA.

It's also worth highlighting the role of the staff in creating an exceptional dining experience. The service team at OMA is young, enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable. The waiters have an in-depth knowledge of the menu and can passionately talk about each dish, its ingredients and preparation techniques. This passion and knowledge significantly enhances the guest experience.

OMA also offers a unique experience for wine lovers. The restaurant's wine list has been carefully selected to complement and enhance the flavors of the dishes. It focuses on wines from the Mediterranean, with a special emphasis on Greek vineyards, which are often underrated on the international wine scene. The restaurant's sommelier provides expert advice and recommendations, helping guests discover new and exciting flavor combinations.

One of the most fascinating aspects of OMA is its ability to surprise and delight guests. Every visit to the restaurant means new discoveries and experiences, whether through seasonal specialties or unexpected combinations of flavors and textures. This ability to constantly surprise and inspire is one of the reasons why OMA has earned a Michelin star in such a short time.

All in all, OMA offers a culinary experience that is at once sophisticated and approachable, traditional and innovative, technical and passionate. The restaurant proves that Greek cuisine deserves a place among the world's best culinary traditions and that a Michelin-starred restaurant can be affordable without compromising on quality. OMA is not just a restaurant - it is a culinary manifesto that celebrates the richness and diversity of Greek gastronomy in a modern London context.