Dining at the Old War Office: Despite potential issues with OWO, the authentic sushi at this restaurant deserves recognition
Titled: Experience the Magical Kiss of Sushi Master Endo Kazutoshi at The Old War Office OWO
Prepare yourself for a unique encounter at the stunning The Old War Office, the London hotel opening that's remained a mystery even for the industry elites. Despite shelling out a staggering billion pounds to transform Churchill's wartime Cabinet Office into a hotel, the mysterious hotel seems to have troubled occupants. Rumors of low occupancy have been swirling around, with one executive revealing that on one particular morning, only eleven guests graced the breakfast room, despite the building hosting 120 rooms, with even the smallest dorms clocking in around a grand a night.
However, it's not all doom and gloom at The Old War Office. The hotel boasts intriguing nooks and crannies, including the enthralling basement spy bar hidden beneath. The lack of interest in the hotel means walk-ins can often score a table without reservation. If you toe the elevator to the rooftop, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking new sightlines of St James' Park and Buckingham Palace, along with 50 al fresco tables perfect for embracing the summer aperitif. You can even secure a dinner spot in one of the turrets, hailed by countless publications as some of London's most impressive private dining rooms.
As you ascend the elevator, Tango sunsets over Parliament and a glimpse of one of Japan's biggest sushi stars, Endo Kazutoshi, awaits. Hailing from Yokohama, Kazutoshi has already impressed with his Michelin-starred restaurant on the ground floor, serving up exquisite dishes just meters from where Churchill once delivered his stirring World War II speeches. Yet, it's his rooftop lunar eclipse of a restaurant, Kioku by Endo, that steals the show.
Kazutoshi has already earned his stripes in London, having won a Michelin star for Endo at the Rotunda in the former BBC Television Centre. Known as the Best Restaurant in the UK by Harden's, it's the Champions League final for sushi chefs here every single day. "It's the Champions League final here every day," Kazutoshi tells us, referring to the relentless pressure of serving London's finest fish.
At Kioku, tables are strategically positioned to provide each diner with Main Character Energy. We were seated at the privately bookable Chef's Table, which housed eight lucky souls and had been turned around for optimal viewings of the sushi masters at work. However, the unfortunate positioning meant our backs faced the stunning panorama of Big Ben and the turrets of Westminster. Instead, we were treated to the mesmerizing spectacle of the sushi masters preparing each dish with utmost care and precision.
A morsel of seabass, yellowtail, king crab, and Wagyu steak, accompanied by a perfect sake pairing orchestrated by a British sommelier, was delivered to our table with great ceremony. The sheer level of care that went into the preparation of each sushi piece left us speechless. One day, we dream of being held as tenderly as those pieces of fish were by a loved one.
Endo's influence on the culinary scene in London cannot be underestimated. His artistic approach to traditional Japanese cuisine has captured the hearts of sushi enthusiasts and elevated the city's sushi scene. Passing sushi directly from hand to hand isn't unique to Endo, but he brought this practice to London around six years ago, influencing a countless number of sushi restaurants that have followed in his footsteps. With his food preparation videos on social media earning tens of thousands of views, Endo Kazutoshi continues to inspire sushi connoisseurs across the globe.
Book a table at Kioku by Endo or visit at 6th Floor, 2 Whitehall Place, The OWO, SW1A 2BD. Treat yourself to the Chef's Table experience, starting from £195 per person.
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[5] Stern, B. (2021, June 17). Kioku by Endo: A Sustainable and Elegant Fine Dining Experience. Forbes Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/brandonstern/2021/06/17/kioku-by-endo-a-sustainable-and-elegant-fine-dining-experience/?sh=57a33c8365ce
- The Old War Office, where Endo Kazutoshi's Michelin-starred restaurant resides, was once Churchill's wartime Cabinet Office and now operates as a luxury hotel.
- Despite its high price point, the hotel's occupancy levels have been deemed low, with only eleven guests reportedly attending breakfast on one occasion.
- The hotel, however, boasts a captivating basement spy bar and a rooftop restaurant, Kioku by Endo, that offers panoramic views of St James' Park and Buckingham Palace.
- Kioku by Endo, with its strategically placed tables, provides each diner with an immersive culinary experience, showcasing the artistry of Endo Kazutoshi, a renowned sushi master who has significantly influenced London's sushi scene.
