Mayha, a Japanese omakase, will launch in London's Marylebone in late September.
The word 'omakase' means 'I'll leave it up to you' and is used when dining at Japanese restaurants where the customer leaves it up to the chef to select and serve seasonal specialties.
Having initially debuted in Beirut, Mayha will bring its experience-led restaurant to London for the first time, where full interaction with the chefs showcases the theatre of the kitchen.
The founders hail from Lebanon and formed the group Nothing But Love 20 years ago, which has established ten much-loved food brands and restaurants
The two-floor London site sits among the gentlemen’s outfitters, florists and antique shops of Chiltern Street. The ground floor will be home to an intimate, curved stone counter, where guests will interact with the chefs preparing and serving the day’s tasting menu; while the lower ground floor will offer a Japanese raw bar and courtyard.
Mayha will focus on the spirit of Omakase: to respectfully leave the decision with the chef. As such, a daily-changing tasting menu will be prepared, rooted in technique and using the very best of what is available seasonally.
At the helm of the kitchen will be head chefs Jurek Wasio and Yuichi Nakaya, who began working together at Mayha Beirut before relocating to London to lead the new opening.
Together they have crafted a menu using meticulously-sourced seasonal ingredients from a range of local and Japanese suppliers, the latter providing the finest seafood and specialty produce. Accompanying the menu will be a selection of exceptional sakes, rare spirits, fine wines and niche beers.
A focal point of the upstairs dining space will be a bespoke light installation suspended above the counter, custom-crafted in Lebanon by ACID, using traditional Japanese handmade methods.
Taking centre stage will be a scorched timber bar, overseen by a bar team fluent in the art of Japanese bartending, where guests can enjoy pre and post-dinner drinks, or items from the raw bar menu.
Mayha will open in late-September from 12pm - 3.30pm for lunch; and for two dinner seatings an evening, 6.30pm and 9pm, Tuesday - Sunday lunch.