Nestling nicely in Marylebone, there is a little piece of Japan Called TOKii, a delightful restaurant with amazing food.

On a blustery and rainy day, we ventured out to TOKii as we had heard so much about it. The welcome we received dispelled all worries about the terrible weather, as we settled down to look at the menu.

The interior of TOKii is sleek and uncluttered, just as you would expect a Japanese restaurant to be. The décor is mainly black wood, but there is a stunning and unusual liquid metal wall, no doubt inspired by the ocean which you feel immediately drawn to. You can dine ‘banquette style’ in the restaurant or sit at the sushi bar for a more authentic experience.

The food here is styled to be an ‘East meets West’ experience, but with the delicate flavours and textures are known to Japanese cuisine. This restaurant is designed for dining with friends or family, with their choices of small sharing plates, placed in the centre of the table for all to enjoy. The food culture of Japan is beautifully displayed with a vibrant menu of sushi, sashimi and nigiri combinations, whilst the Robata serves several types of grilled meat, vegetables and fish served on skewers and cooked to perfection. The grade A5 Wagyu beef was succulent, juicy and all of those other mouth-watering attributes that credit Wagyu as it should be.

The clever spicing here means that nothing is used to excess to allow the main ingredients to shine through, but still giving them the unmistakable taste of Japan. We tried the Tuna Tartare, and Beef Tataki, before savouring the delicious Ox Cheek Croquettes with Panko and Wasabi Mayo.

Whilst these dishes were certainly enough to whet our appetites, the aroma from the Robata Grill was sensational, and we couldn’t wait to taste our selection of Pork Belly Skewers and Wagyu Belly Skewers (both superbly cooked) and of course our Wagyu Beef Fillet. The time and attention given to raising and producing this superb beef are certainly worth it.

The Barbary Duck was a revelation and certainly one of the best duck dishes we had ever tasted. If you have never thought of aubergines to be the greatest vegetable in the world, do try the Robata Grilled Aubergines – this style of cooking lifted the humble vegetable to a different level. The combination of flavours in all of these dishes stayed on our palates for a long time after we had eaten.

The TOKii Restaurant is situated in the Prince Akatoki Hotel, a boutique-style establishment, and will be serving traditional Japanese breakfasts, as well as lunch and dinner. From the sleek and minimalist décor to the understated elegance of the TOKii Restaurant, this is Japan on a plate, and at its best. Indulge in a few cocktails before or after you dine, like everything else in this relatively new restaurant, they are all perfectly prepared with a Japanese twist.

A: Prince Akatoki London Hotel, 50 Great Cumberland Place, W1H 7FD
T: 020 7724 0486
W: TOKii

Written by Rafa Zurita for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International