Updated 19/9/24 with Dosa photograph and opening date
We've known for a while that Michelin-starred chef Akira Back was heading to London to open at the upcoming Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. Now the final details are emerging about what we can expect from the chef's restaurants and bars at the hotel.
Back is going to be responsible for two restaurants, a bar and a rooftop 'experience' at the hotel when it opens on Hanover Square.
The first (pictured above) will be his eponymous all-day dining restaurant Akira Back, with dishes inspired by the chef's Korean heritage and "his modern interpretation of Japanese cuisine". They'll also be showcasing some of his best-known dishes including:
- AB Tuna Pizza - with a wafer-thin crunchy crust, aioli made with ponzu sauce, tuna sashimi, micro shiso and white truffle oil
- Turbot with white asparagus and sake beurre blanc
- Highland Wagyu Striploin with yuzu kosho jus.
- ‘Dynamite Lobster’ with pickled shimeji and micro coriander
As for the room, the triple-height dining room does look pretty spectacular and there will also be three private dining rooms.
Next, there's Dosa which is being described as a 14-seat chef's table-style affair with a menu of contemporary Korean dishes that use French techniques.
Then there's a bar, ABar Lounge. There, you'll find bite-sized snacks like Wagyu Tartlet with full blood English wagyu tartare, shiso and N25 caviar and Korean Fried Chicken with gochujang glaze. That's alongside cocktails like the Javapolitan - Fair organic quinoa Vodka, Cointreau, clarified cranberry, lime, Indian spices and butterfly pea tea. Finally, there's ABar Rooftop - a rooftop bar looking out over Mayfair (which will open when the weather improves).
If you’re not au fait with Chef Back and his international acclaim, he was born in Korea and raised in Aspen, Colorado. His Michelin moment came in 2018 with one star awarded to his restaurant Dosa in Seoul. He’s also hosted the James Beard House dinners seven times. So his arrival in London should be a big deal.
More about Akira Back at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair
Where is it? 22 Hanover Square, Mayfair, London W1S 1JP
When does it open? Akira Back open now. Dosa opens 18 September 2024
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @akirabacklondon.
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