Former Nobu head chef Scott Hallsworth has announced the mid-November launch of Japanese restaurant and cocktail lounge Wabi London in Holborn.
Australian-born Scott spent six years at Nobu in London before being chosen by Nobu Matsuhisa to launch Nobu Melbourne in 2007. Scott joins forces with entrepreneur André Cachia who is also behind sister-restaurant Wabi Horsham.
Named after the Japanese aesthetic Wabi-sabi, a movement characterised by simple, undeclared beauty, Wabi London will live up to its namesake with the elegance of its food and luxurious but understated design.
Wabi – named after the Japanese aesthetic Wabi-sabi, characterised by simple, undeclared beauty reflected here in the new restaurant’s interior.
Scott is known for pushing the boundaries of gastronomy, creating dishes that are distinguished by their unexpected contrasts of flavours and textures.
The Wabi London Kitchen Brigade, lead by acclaimed Chef Scott Hallsworth in the kitchen at the new London site pic.twitter.com/uSsMhm4s
Hallsworth’s signature creations for Wabi will certainly be examples of this, spearheaded by such delicacies as foie gras martini with umeshu jelly, nashi and black vinegar; onsen egg with dashi-soy, truffle salt and chives and tea smoked duck tataki with burnt ginger amazu sweet vinegar sauce. Favourites from the pre-opening tasting menu seem to be BBQ Pork Belly Buns with Spicy Peanut Soy – with the buns blow torched to achieve a golden brown glaze!
Creativity is not just confined to main courses however. Scott’s desserts will feature surprises like iced yuzu nougat parfait with green apple sorbet and warm white chocolate.
Wabi will also offer customers the option of dining at a sushi bar overseen by the talented Taiji Maruyama – known as Maru. Another Nobu London graduate, Taiji has dedicated his life to perfecting the fine art of sushi and is highly regarded for his innovative approach and is set to serve unique offerings such as butter poached Spanish red shrimp with yuzu, chilli and cucumber dressing.
At the heart of the 120 seater restaurant will be a theatre kitchen where diners can watch Scott, Taiji and the rest of the team at work. Wabi London will also have a stylish bar that will be overseen by Rocco Catalano, one of the capital’s talented and experienced bar managers. Rocco, who’s CV reads like an A to Z of the capital’s most celebrated establishments, has worked at Maze, Buddha Bar, Electric House, Nobu and 5th Floor Bar at Harvey Nichols and will oversee the drinks offering. Alongside fine wines, champagnes and spirits will be exotic cocktails, including the bespoke Lemongrass Fizz, a bend of Wabi-made lemongrass syrup and Wabi-infused lemongrass Shochu charged with Prosecco.
Cheers, we’ll drink to that – 幸運
Wabi London, 36-38 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6EY
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