Tucked away in leafy north London, Iné’s slender and elegantly unassuming shopfront affords solely a touch in its signage that inside lies the most recent foodie idea from the group behind Mayfair’s Taku – the coveted Michelin-starred cease for lovers of Japanese delicacies. With Iné (Japanese for ‘rice’), restaurateur Geoff Leong and businessman Lucas Leong convey Japanese flavours and sensibility to a tiny Hampstead house with a minimalist structure setting that nods to the nation’s positive eating traditions.
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Iné)
Sit at Iné
The fragile nature of Japanese classics, resembling sushi maki, nigiri and sashimi, reign supreme right here, each within the intensive à la carte menu and the characterful omakase (which interprets as ‘I’ll go away it as much as the chef’). The latter is obtainable solely via Iné’s devoted eight-seater counter.
On the identical time, friends may expertise up to date takes on classics resembling caviar and otoro (tuna) tartare. Bolder flavours are on supply too, resembling in truffle-infused nigiri and seared tuna nigiri. Additionally on the menu are lobster with cauliflower and sudachi jelly, grilled Iberico pork, and wagyu beef katsu sando.
(Picture credit score: INE by Taku)
The whole lot is overseen by head chef Meng, who skilled within the Taku kitchen (below chef patron Takuya Watanabe). The 15-course omakase echoes the Mayfair venue’s strategy via its edomae fashion (meals preparation steeped within the historical past and traditions of Japan’s Edo Period).
Says Meng, ‘Iné has been the right alternative to supply the normal delicacy of omakase seen at Taku, alongside up to date Japanese delicacies, harking back to the eating places in Japan.’
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Iné)
Dishes are all artfully paired with the suitable sake – specialist sake sommelier Frankie will guarantee a meal is accompanied with the suitable spirit, from aperitifs via the primary course, and with dessert sake to complete the expertise (plum and yuzu sake are on supply).
Iné is ready to launch its personal sake bar – certainly one of only a handful in London – which can open in its first-floor house on 24 February 2024.
(Picture credit score: INE by Taku)
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