Two-Michelin-starred Shinji Kanesaka to open omakase counter restaurant at 45 Park Lane

Two-Michelin-starred chef Shinji Kanesaka is to open a 13-seater omakase counter restaurant at 45 Park Lane hotel in London’s Mayfair on 1 July.

The London outpost of Tokyo’s Sushi Kanesaka, which has held two Michelin stars since 2018, is the chef’s first opening outside of Asia.

Kanesaka said: "I am honoured to introduce our culinary heritage and passion for sushi, with some of my team and chefs from Sushi Kanesaka in Tokyo.

“We are thrilled to share the true essence of Edomae sushi, meticulously prepared using the finest ingredients, traditional techniques, and utmost dedication, transporting guests to the vibrant streets of Ginza – and the tranquillity of a traditional omakase service. Dining omakase is very special and unique, an intimate personal connection between the chef and the diner.”

Lee Kelly, general manager at the five-red-AA-star 45 Park Lane, part of the Dorchester Collection, added: “I am delighted to welcome chef Shinji Kanesaka to open his first restaurant in Europe at 45 Park Lane. I have always admired chef Shinji Kanesaka and had the chance to meet him and taste his finest ingredients in Tokyo myself."

Translated as “I’ll leave it up to you”, omakase dining involves dishes being chosen in the moment. Kanesaka will be joined in London by a team of eight chefs, sommeliers, and hosts.

Chefs will serve up to 20 courses as part of the £400-a-head set menu using seasonal ingredients, including seafood sourced from the UK and Europe using the Japanese ikejime method. Kanesaka will also bring his own rice blend from Japan’s Yamagata Prefecture to the London restaurant.

The restaurant will offer specialist sake pairings (from £150-£220) as well as wines, beers and Japanese whiskies including Hibiki, Yamazaki and Hakushu.

Seating will be divided between a nine-person counter and an adjacent four-person counter within a private dining room, both spaces having their own sushi shokunin. The restaurant will also be hosted by an okami.

Interiors of the spaces, which were previously used as a private dining room, will include a walkway of reclaimed Japanese granite and wooden Kumiko panels inspired by the Serpentine in neighbouring Hyde Park. The chef’s counter has been made from a single piece of Japanese Kiso Hinoki wood, while vases have been created by ceramic artist Shiro Tsujimura.