NIJU is a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar specialising in home-inspired dishes, created by Michelin-starred chef Endo Kazutoshi and Creative Restaurant Group. Head chef Chris Golding and head sushi chef David Bury have teamed up with Kazutochi to restyle this Mayfair townhouse, which was previously the home of well-regarded modern British restaurant 20 Berkeley.
NIJU is more akin to Kazutochi’s eponymous sushi restaurant, Endo, though it offers a much wider choice of a la carte dishes, focused around the concept of ‘Katei Ryori’ - a Japanese tradition which can be translated to ‘cooking from the heart’.
In true Mayfair fashion, this glamorous restaurant greets its guests with sleek wooden interiors, minimalist decoration and warm lighting announcing what’s to come - a simple, elegant culinary experience.
At NIJU, Endo lends his expertise as a third generation sushi master to this high end dining experience. The menu focuses on sushi and sashimi, with some traditional grilled beef options as well, with all beef aged in-house. Dishes such as the fried lamb cutlets or the house- aged wagyu are all cooked on a Konro grill using a special charcoal blend for perfect tasting meat.
There are other traditional Japanese dishes on the menu too, including Japanese shokupan milk bread, and seasonal dishes like asparagus with wild garlic veloute, and grilled aubergine with white sesame dressing.
For drinks, the restaurant does not veer away from attention to detail. A full bar downstairs supplies the beverages. Here, sparkling drinks shine. Boasting a large list of Champagnes, sparkling English whites and sake, NIJU focuses on light sophisticated drinks to accompany the meal.