What: Taka
In a nutshell: Authentic japanese food and drink from Tokyo-trained chefs.
Summing it all up: Shepherd Market, Mayfair's charming 18th century square, has yet another good place to eat and drink thanks to the arrival of Taka, a Tokyo-born restaurant and cocktail bar with tataki, tempura, and other traditional cuisine on offer, plus sake cocktails in the basement bar, if you can squeeze yourself in...
The low-down
Lucky old Shepherd Market is about to get another restaurant and cocktail bar worthy of a visit, when Taka makes the leap from Tokyo to London with their first overseas restaurant.
The restaurant, which will be spread across two floors, will be rolling out classic Japanese food with a high end twist. There'll be the likes of the crispy, endearingly oily tempura, salads, sashimi, sushi and more will all be on offer, whipped up for you by chefs that trained in Tokyo, so they should know what they're doing.
Some of the dishes that we've heard about included a lightly seared beef tataki plus rock shrimp tempura which will come with a yuzu mayonnaise. We're also very keen to try the black cod special roll, which is topped off with avocado and sweet kabayaki sauce, also known as unagi sauce.
That’ll be upstairs, while downstairs in the cozy basement bar (with standing room for just 16, we hear) there there’ll be lots of sake, Japanese whiskey and liquor cocktails like their Shochu Martini, Courgette and Sake refresher, or a Plum and Thyme Prosecco smash.
We've not been given a guide on prices yet, but we have been told that it'll be "affordable" despite its rather upmarket Mayfair location.
Taka Mayfair is the latest project from restaurateur Andrey Datsenko which he's running with his sister Anastasia. You may have come across him before, as the man behind Soho's toasted cheese emporium Melt Room - so this looks to be a bit of a departure from what he’s used to.
“Japanese food and drink have always been particular favorites and I’m looking forward to taking it to the next level,” said Andrey.
More about Taka
Where is it? 18 Shepherd Market, London W1J 7QH
When does it open? 27 September 2017
Find out more: Visit TAKA’s website or follow them on Instagram @takamayfair and Twitter @takamayfair.
