THE UKIYO ROOM AT THE AUBREY

This March, The Aubrey - acclaimed Japanese restaurant and elevated izakaya at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London - will launch The Ukiyo Room. Inspired by ‘The Floating World’ (Ukiyo), an imagined Japanese universe of hedonism and extravagance, this new Omakase experience is designed as a journey of discovery through ten courses and carefully paired drinks.

Directly translating as “I leave it up to you”, Omakase is a true expression of the chef’s practice, removing the traditional barriers of the restaurant and instead focusing on direct interactions with the chef. Keeping in mind the Japanese spirit of omotenashi, The Aubrey will introduce the new drinks experience and tasting menu led by the sommelier and chef team, whereby up to eight guests can book in for an intimate evening with exclusive access to The Ukiyo Room. Each dish, presented tableside by the restaurant’s skilled chefs, will complement the curated drinks offering from Head Sommelier, Maxim Kassir and his team.

Over the course of the two-hour sitting, available daily from 7.45pm, The Aubrey’s Omakase team will offer guests a unique experience, adapting the service seamlessly for the table each night. With a dedicated sommelier on hand throughout the night, the drinks offering will allow guests to sample special pours from The Aubrey’s captivating Champagne, wine and saké collection.

Designed to match the tempo of drinks, diners will indulge in an exquisite multi-course tasting menu, meticulously crafted by The Aubrey’s culinary team. The menu will include some much-loved favourites as well as newly developed dishes, all built around the finest ingredients and reflecting produce from Japan’s 72 micro seasons. The evening might begin with a taste of A5 Wagyu Gunkan with Caviar; Slowed cooked lobster with uni; and Alaskan king crab leg with kimuchi; before a taste of MT Fuji (Elderflower mousse, poached peach, candy floss and milk ice cream.

A preview of the menu is unavailable to guests prior to dining at The Aubrey, with the evening being left up to the surprise and imagination of guests, all being revealed on the night. The Ukiyo Room Experience at The Aubrey begins at £175 and requires exclusive hire of The Ukiyo Room as well as a compulsory beverage pairing starting at £150 per guest. Additional supplements will be available for those seeking to add an extra touch of luxury to the experience - additional caviar for example.

For those looking to experience The Aubrey’s Omakase outside The Ukiyo Room, a set menu will also be available to regular diners in the restaurant for £95, with a tasting of 11 courses covering everything from Hamachi Tataki to Black Sesame cheesecake. A Premium Omakase will run alongside for £175 with an optional wine pairing by the in-house sommelier. Highlights from the Premium Omakase will include Popcorn lobster, Wagyu oxtail and bone marrow fried rice and Sustainable miso black cod.

For more information please contact harriet@gemmabellandcompany.com