One of the world’s most Michelin star-garlanded chefs is returning to London with a new restaurant two years after his first venture ended in failure.
Japan’s Yoshihiro Murata, who holds seven stars, including three at his celebrated Kyoto flagship Kikunoi, has taken on a site in Conduit Street, Mayfair. The venue is expected to open by June after a £1.5 million deal was signed this week. It is yet to be named.
Murata is a leading exponent of kaiseki cuisine, which features seasonal vegetables and fish and is renowned for its low calorie count.
The word — literally “rock held to one’s bosom” — refers to the hot rocks Buddhist monks carried under their robes to stave off cold and hunger.
David Rawlinson — founder of Restaurant Property, which with CBRE was involved in arranging the deal — said: “There are few chefs in the world who manage to successfully balance deep tradition, genuine innovation, and exquisite presentation. Yoshihiro Murata is one of them.”
It will replace one of London’s longest standing Japanese restaurants, Sakura, established in 1975. In 2012, Murata was involved in the launch of Chrysan, in the City, in partnership with Hakkasan. But it shut after six months following stinging reviews.
He is the third generation of his family to cook at Kikunoi, a ryotei, or traditional restaurant, in Kyoto. His other Michelin-starred venue is in Tokyo.
