Umu Restaurant

"From its discreet entrance to its elegant décor, Umu has always been a restaurant for that special occasion. The menu is influenced by the delicate cuisine of Kyoto, but other regions of Japan are also represented. You can expect a nod to British produce as well, with dishes like ginjo sake cured Scottish langoustine. The ingredients are of top quality and their natural flavours are always brought to the fore. Some dishes are simple; others are presented with a flourish at the table – but all are prepared with considerable care and respect." - Michelin Inspector

London’s Best Sushi | The Best Restaurants for Nigiri and Sashimi | Eater London

"Chef Yoshinori Ishii trained at one of Japan’s most revered kaiseki restaurants Kitcho, went to become the chef-in-residence of Japanese Embassies in Switzerland and USA, and moved to Umu in 2010. Contrary to the belief that chefs should stay and work hard in their own kitchen, Ishii has been spending time profitably outside Umu, mostly in Cornwall, in order to elevate the ways locally caught fish could be treated — he introduced ike jime practice to Cornish fishermen — and to source directly into his restaurant. On the menu, find many world-class fish caught in the Cornish waters: from mackerel and sardine, to red mullet and turbot, to squid and spiny lobster — as well as extraordinary wild eels from Ireland. Ishii also offers a vast selection of vegetable nigiri, inspired by his own kyo-kaiseki training." - Poonperm Paitayawat

Roketsu Restaurant London by Daisuke Hayashi Will Serve Kaiseki | Eater London

"A Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant that markets a 'Kyoto kaiseki experience' but typically offers kaiseki alongside an à la carte menu; it serves as a useful point of comparison for a new venue that intends to present kaiseki exclusively." - James Hansen

Which Restaurants Lost Michelin Stars in 2021? | Eater London

"A Kyoto-inspired restaurant in Mayfair that was moved down from two Michelin stars to one in the 2021 guide, representing the only change among the top two-star tier that year." - Adam Coghlan

The Square and Umu’s Michelin Stars Are in Doubt and Administration | Eater London

"This two-Michelin-starred restaurant has been placed into administration but is reported to still be trading; an amendment filed on 31 January released its leasehold from security and the property at 14-16 Bruton Place is understood to be on the market. The owner's formation of new companies days before the seizure indicates a likely attempt to repurchase or restructure the business amid wider group insolvency." - James Hansen