Japanese springtime is marked by the blooming of cherry blossom trees, a striking sight of pink petals floating through the warm breeze. This brief but beautiful blooming inspired Aqua Kyoto to celebrate the spectacle by bringing the beauty of sakura to London until 30 April 2023.
Aqua Kyoto is a part of the Aqua Restaurant Group collection, where the fundamental philosophy of exquisite food and stylish environments are the priority. From a simple 60-cover kitchen, Aqua Restaurant Group has grown to a culinary empire of over 16 restaurants and bars across the globe in London, Hong Kong, New York, Miami and Dubai. London’s first site housing innovative Japanese cuisine, Aqua Kyoto, opened on Regent Street in 2009.
Dramatically housed on the top floor of the former Dickins & Jones department store, Aqua Kyoto’s interiors bring an immersive Japanese aesthetic to London. Inside, the dark timber reflects the traditional Michiya townhouses of Kyoto, and iron-worked interiors use finished with the copper-gold sword decorating technique called Shakudo. However, the main event is the menu, which takes influence from the contemporary Japanese cuisine of Tokyo’s Ginza district.
New menu items inspired by Japanese cherry blossoms will be featured to celebrate the sakura season. To start, you can opt for the Sukara Roll – four pieces of maki featuring blue prawn, avocado, cucumber, and Yukari (seasoning made from shisho leaves), all topped with Morello cherry jelly.
The main dish includes a pan-fried duck breast in a sour cherry teriyaki sauce, truffly pak choi, and sakura crisps.
Try the cherry blossom vermouth cake with mint crémeaux and tangy yuzu sorbet for dessert. Alongside dessert, you will be presented with a guide with how to create beautiful, pale pink origami hearts to take home as a memento – further enveloping everyone in the atmosphere of sakura season.
A special cocktail has also been created called In Bloom, made with Kyoto Cherry Blossom Gin Liqueur, Mancino Sukara Vermouth, soda, and prosecco.
To discover more, visit: aquakyoto.co.uk
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All imagery courtesy of Aqua Kyoto.