The ultimate Mayfair experience, the Taku private dining room has it all; a prestigious omakase offering, a world-famous reputation, and a well-deserved Michelin star. The omakase dining scene has well and truly taken off, leading the charge without showboating. It doesn’t need to. Founded by Takuya Watanabe, this is a restaurant where the skill and quality speaks for itself.
Awarded a Michelin star after just four months in operation, something which is almost unheard of, Taku is Watanabe’s second restaurant. The first was Jin in Paris, which after just a year, gained a Michelin star in 2014.
Private dining at Taku experience is an intimate, serene experience. The restaurant accommodates up to 16 guests at an English oak omakase counter. Watanabe’s team of meticulous and highly skilled chefs hand over exquisitely formed plates of nigiri, sashimi, and dishes with the occasional nod to his experience in France. The interiors are minimalist, making use of natural materials like pale wood and natural stone that lend a calming traditional impression.
Drawing on the principles of edomae, a quick snack known associated with Tokyo (formerly Edo); edomae omakase has since become a fixture of haute cuisine. Omakase translates as ‘I'll leave it up to you’, where diners hand total control over to the chefs. There are three menus at Taku, an omakase lunch, and a signature or prestige menu for dinner sittings.
Depending on the menu, the number of courses varies. Private dining menus at Taku can cover between 17-20 courses with each dish formed of the finest ingredients, largely from European waters. Previous examples include Cornish crab enveloped in Battera kombu and served with green asparagus and a sesame miso sauce. The drinks list lies in the confident hands of sommelier Bowie Tsang who curates pairings with rare fine wines, speciality sake, and Champagne.