Sakagura’s 11 course-tasting menu
Wonder into Heddon street and you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to high end restaurants and bars, Sakagura, Japanese steak and sake bar fits in perfectly and is adored by many. When we found out they were launching a new menu, known as the 11-course Chef’s Table experience, it was only fitting we went down to indulge in the 11 course-tasting menu.
The bespoke menu has been curated by Head chef Delroy Simpson, and consists of bespoke sake pairings chosen by Sake Sommelier Mimi Tokumine. Inside you will be greeted with a sleek and modern interior, with small wooden tables and chic booths. When we arrived we were taken downstairs to the chef’s table, a traditional kappo counter, where you get to feast your eyes on the master chefs preparing and cooking your dishes.
We started off with Sashimi, a firm favourite, fresh, tender and simply a melt in your mouth dish. Next up was the Nasu Dengaku, a great option for a vegetarian, a traditional Japanese dish, that I quite frankly fell in love with, after one bite. A tender boiled aubergine, cut in half with a sweet and savoury miso glaze. However Sakaguru took it to the next level with their own creation. The aubergine was soft in texture and tasted quite meaty, even though it was a vegetable, the glaze was spot on and I would have happily eaten more than just one plate.
Some of the other highlights included the Wagu carpaccio, I don’t normally order carpaccio, but having this brought to me I dived in and what a treat it was. Fresh, tender and dam right delicious, it had my taste buds tingling and again it was another dish I would have happily ordered more of. If you are to order one dish, make it the Wagu carpaccio dish. The nigiri came beautifully presented and tasted divine. Some of the other great dishes you get to try include: pan fried pork gyoza, fresh tempura Asian king prawns, yakitori, miso soup, seaweed salad and tempura.
Although its tempting to fill your stomachs with all these delicious dishes, do leave room for the raindrop cake. Which you will be surprised to find out its not actually a cake. umeshu liquor is poured over two drops of translucent jelly, creating a translucent dessert, but thats not all, if you are lucky you may indeed find a gold leaf inside the jelly. I was unlucky, but my guest found a gold leaf and he so kindly shared the experience with me. Certainly a moment to treasure.
Head chef Delroy Simpson, talked us through each plate, you could hear the passion and love he had for cooking these Japanese dishes, by the way his eyes lit up as he explained each dish. Each dish was certainly divine and we were over joyed to be one of the first set of people to indulge in the new 11 course-tasting menu.
We were well looked after in the sake department as well, by the sake sommelier, most of our dishes came with a sake pairing, each catering to the dish we were given. The sake was overwhelmingly delicious, some were light and smooth and a couple had a nice punch to it. The sommelier came around with a tray of hand painted sake cups for us to choose from, which was a nice touch to the exceptional dining experience.
Sakagura is the place to be if you want delicious authentic Japanese food, presented beautifully with delightful staff and enough Sake to get you going.
The 11 course-tasting menu costs £60pp without sake and £90pp with sake, to book your tickets click here.
Website: www.sakaguralondon.com
Address: Sakagura, 8 Heddon street, Mayfair, London, W1B 4BU
Written by Nyla S.
