If you're serious about your Japanese cuisine, book a table at Iné, stat. This Hampstead-based restaurant comes from the team behind TAKU, the Michelin-starred 16-seater Omakase restaurant in Mayfair that's famed for its intimate atmosphere and sleek design. This time, Chef Patron Takuya Watanabe aims to further showcase a mix of contemporary culinary skills whilst at its heart, pay homage to edomae traditions.
The kitchen is led by Chef Law Kwok Meng who has trained for 23 years as a sushi chef and brings a certain signature style of Omakase to the group's second restaurant. As with any Omakase experience, ingredients are everything, and so dishes will be determined by the best, freshest produce available on the day - but that's all part of the ride, isn't it?
There are three types of bookings available, starting with Counter Omakase which, in short, means: 'I'll leave it up to the chef'. This incredible experience is served in three sittings per day, so make sure you check online first that you can make these and allow ample time to enjoy. Over the course of your booking you'll enjoy 17 courses curated by Chef Patron Takuya Watanabe, subject to the day's delivery.
Alternatively you can sit down in the main dining room for the a la carte menu, full of contemporary Japanese dishes designed by Head Chef Andrew Lim. While there aren't any whiffs of what to expect online, the wait staff are only too happy to talk through each dish and help you decide.
Since opening, INÉ has also introduced a small, bespoke gallery space upstairs above the restaurant, offering this as a place to enjoy new, contemporary artists, as well as meet for sake flights and workshops. The team are leaning into experiences and workshops more than ever before, with plenty of dates on the website for those interesting in learning more.