"Kazutoshi, the third-generation sushi master behind the Michelin-starred restaurant Endo at the Rotunda, has decamped to Mayfair for a five-month omakase residency while his west London restaurant lies temporarily closed following a fire in 2025. Last week, on the opening night of Endo, Upstairs at Annabel's, I witnessed the celebrated chef back in the kitchen for the first time since the tragedy."
"I had been advised beforehand to avoid wearing perfume, lest fragrances interfere with the menu's delicate flavors, and upon entry to the room, phones had to be surrendered at the door - no photographs, no distractions. It's a bold move in a city addicted to documenting itself, but one with clear instructions: you are here to pay attention."
"Kazutoshi quickly got to work, moving up and down the length of the counter, his team following in synchrony, embodying the principle of omotenashi - the art of selfless hospitality. The 14 courses arrived blind. There was no menu to consult pre-arrival, as I usually prefer, but omakase devotees can rest assured: this is a gamble weighted firmly in the diner's favor."
Endo Kazutoshi, a third-generation sushi master and chef of the Michelin-starred Endo at the Rotunda, has established a temporary omakase residency at Annabel's members' club in Mayfair. The intimate venue features ten counter seats arranged around the chef, creating an exclusive dining experience. Guests surrender phones upon entry and avoid wearing perfume to preserve the delicate flavors of the cuisine. The chef embodies omotenashi, the principle of selfless hospitality, working in synchrony with his team. The 14-course blind omakase menu begins with Kazutoshi's signature handroll, followed by dishes like kasujiru soup and precisely scored squid, with each piece placed directly into diners' hands in a hand-to-hand dining experience.
Read at Elite Traveler
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