Roketsu, tucked away on a handsome Marylebone street, has decided that summer deserves a bit more ceremony than a hastily assembled salad and a warm glass of rosé.
From June through to the end of August, the Japanese kappo-style restaurant is serving a pair of seasonal tasting menus designed to make the most of the season’s bounty, whether you’re dining at the counter or bagging one of the terrace’s six highly sought-after outdoor seats.
For those unfamiliar with kappo, think of it as the more conversational cousin of kaiseki. The chef isn’t hidden away behind a wall of mystery but actively involved in shaping the meal, encouraging guests to engage, ask questions and steer their own culinary journey.
The Summer Classic Kappo Tasting Menu (£150) offers five courses built around seasonal ingredients. It begins with a selection of Japanese appetisers before moving on to a delicate summer soup showcasing seafood and vegetables in a light broth.
The centrepiece is a choice of charcoal-grilled main course, with options including Iberico pork, A5 Wagyu beef, lamb chop, guinea fowl or the freshest fish available that day, all cooked over binchōtan charcoal. A trio of seasonal nigiri follows before a suitably light dessert rounds things off.
Those feeling a little more extravagant can opt for the Summer Prime Kappo Tasting Menu (£200). This starts with a more generous array of premium appetisers and the same elegant soup course, before arriving at the grilled main.
Where it diverges is the sushi course, which trades the Classic menu’s nigiri selection for a line-up of luxury combinations including toro with truffle, scallop topped with caviar and wagyu sukiyaki gunkan. A bespoke dessert provides the finale.
Naturally there are drinks pairings available, spanning wine, sake and non-alcoholic options, all selected by Roketsu’s sommelier. If you’d rather browse under your own steam, the restaurant’s wine cellar contains a number of bottles that are rarely seen elsewhere in London.
The timing couldn’t be better. With London’s annual flirtation with proper summer underway, Roketsu’s newly launched terrace offers one of Marylebone’s more civilised outdoor dining options. There are only six seats, which should tell you everything you need to know about how quickly they’ll disappear.
The full menu is available outside, whether you’re settling in for the complete kappo experience or simply enjoying a glass of sparkling sake while watching the neighbourhood drift by.
In a city where Japanese dining often leans heavily on formality, Roketsu continues to carve out its own niche, bringing a more personal and interactive style of hospitality to London. It’s a refreshing approach, and one that feels particularly well suited to long summer evenings.
Roketsu
12 New Quebec Street
London W1H 7RW