One of the most influential figures in modern Japanese cuisine, Masayoshi “Masa” Takayama, is to open a standalone restaurant in London for the first time.
Tobi Masa will launch at the Chancery Rosewood hotel in September, where Masa will bring his famous sushi, snacks and small plates to the new Mayfair hotel.
The Standard understands the restaurant will be a continuation of Masa’s self-titled restaurant in New York, which, with encouragement from the legendary American chef Thomas Keller, he opened in 2004 and which has held three Michelin stars since 2009.
Soon after opening in NYC, the New York Times said Masa “changed the sushi game”, introducing a new style of omakase to the city, combining fish from Japan with luxury ingredients such as white truffle, caviar, and foie gras.
Wagyu beef is almost a staple, while the price of a meal starts at around $1,000 per head before drinks and service charge, according to US media.
That same high-end concept is to be brought to London at Tobi (which loosely translates as “to fly”) Masa and the chef promised equal precision, minimalism, and fine ingredients as are used across the Atlantic.
The menu at the upcoming restaurant will feature some of the dishes that helped define the original, including tuna tartare with caviar and Peking duck tacos, alongside new creations developed for London.
“I’m so proud to be partnering with a creative and innovative brand like Rosewood,” said Masa, who featured on an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown in 2016, showing the US chef around his native Japan.
“We are very excited to embark on this new adventure together, and especially in such a historic landmark building in the middle of Mayfair.”
The move marks Masa’s second foray into London. The chef is also behind Sushi by Masa, a more casual, less high-profile sushi experience at Harrods department store, though the Standard understands this contract is to finish in October and so the Rosewood will be his only UK operation.
The much-anticipated hotel is located in the former US Embassy in Mayfair and Tobi Masa is expected to be one of many new restaurants at the site.
One is another New York import, the celebrity-filled Italian-American restaurant Carbone (a favourite of Barack Obama) and which is also set to open in the autumn.
Tobi Masa is to open at The Chancery Rosewood in September 2025 in line with the hotel. 30 Grosvenor Square W1K, masanyc.com; rosewoodhotels.com
