Mano Mayfair

Brazilian-Japanese restaurant Mano has managed to bag itself a spot on the street that everyone wants a space on, brushing shoulders with the likes of newly-opened Sarap Filipino Bistro and Spanish favourite Sabor. Yes, Mayfair has earned itself a new resident, and Mano has all the hallmarks of a restaurant that’s trying its very hardest to justify its presence there.  

In contrast to its Brazilian-Japanese menu, the intimate restaurant has been designed to invoke the glamour of 1960s St Tropez with barely-lit interiors, comfortable velvet cushions and a back-lit bar at one end of the room, with a steady flow of bespoke cocktails emanating from the area all night. It's all very fun and exclusive and we can certainly see the appeal. This is the sort of place for which you put on your best, most glamorous frock, not entirely sure where the night will take you.  

A steady stream of sharing plates arrived at our table throughout the evening, which were well-paced and altogether enjoyable. Highlights included deeply crunchy cassava fries drizzled in fiery wasabi mayo and three black and bubbly squid ink crackers loaded with tuna tartare, which were zesty with lime and married soft and crisp textures. Those three bites were £18 though, so prepare to pay for the good stuff. Melting slices of beef were all the better for being dressed in a sweet sauce of some kind and our dessert, a Brazilian coconut creme caramel with salted miso sauce, hit rich and creamy notes.  

As is often the case with just-opened restaurants, there were a few teething issues along the way. At no point in the evening did the staff offer us a drink, and we were met with blank faces when asking our waiter to explain what one of the dishes was. The restaurant was almost full when we left so clearly people are intrigued by Mano’s mysterious allure, and we expect those creases will be ironed out over time.

Mano Mayfair is a Brazilian-Japanese restaurant that combines the vibrancy of Latin America, the glamour of late 1950s St Tropez and the excitement of the world’s most iconic beach clubs. Offering jungle-like interiors, an innovative fusion menu and residencies from live DJs, Mano is designed to be a touch more immersive than your standard dining experience. 

It's the brainchild of Romain Fargette, who has owned restaurants, beach clubs and night clubs in the south of France since he was 18, and entrepreneur and financial expert Alexis Colletta. Wanting to open a restaurant that turns the ‘fun dining’ industry on its head, Mano was born. Themes of extravagance, luxury and hedonism run through every element. Starting with the interiors, guests enter the restaurant to a golden ceiling, mirrored walls, luxurious hand-crafted furniture and a back-lit bar serving a series of signature serves.  

Chef Rafa Gomes is in charge of the menu. There is a set lunch menu and a la carte offering available with signature plates including Carne Seca Bun (dried beef in a home-made Brazilian bun); Smoked Picanha with Yakiniku Sauce (Brazil’s national steak, hickory smoked with a traditional Japanese sauce); Moqueca (Brazilian seafood stew with coconut milk and grilled seabass) and Pudim (Brazilian crème caramel made with tapioca, salted miso caramel & Brazil nuts).  

A carefully crafted cocktail selection using sake, cachaça, Brazilian mangos and other tropical fruits are also on offer and designed to push the boundaries as much as the food menu does.  

The night continues long after you’ve finished a meal here. With resident DJs transforming Mano Mayfair into a dancing destination from Thursday to Saturday, you could easily drop in to this unique restaurant for a cocktail and a boogie at the latter end of the week.