Endo opened on 1 October at 8-9 Blacklands Terrace in Chelsea, a 10-seat omakase from Endo Kazutoshi, following the fire that closed Endo at the Rotunda. The counter is a 200-year-old bespoke hinoki piece from Kyoto, inspired by 1920s and 1930s Tokyo sushi counters, designed by Javier Villar.
The experience
The multi-course omakase focuses on locally caught fish, with nori, wasabi, soy and rice imported from Japan. At a reported £305 per head, this is firmly in special-occasion territory. The collaboration with Creative Restaurant Group, behind SUMI and Kioku, brings serious operational backing.
The listening bar
Upstairs, Moga, a Japanese listening bar with an undulating ceiling inspired by masu sake cups, is initially only open to omakase diners. It opens to all walk-ins from December, giving the building a second reason to visit.
London’s omakase scene is competitive, but a 10-seat counter with this level of craft and a story of rebuilding from fire has a pull that goes beyond the food.
