In Mayfair’s newest landmark, The Chancery Rosewood, sits Tobi Masa, the first European restaurant from world-renowned chef Masayoshi Takayama. Known for his three Michelin star New York restaurant Masa, the chef’s London debut arrives with the same obsessive precision, quiet beauty, and almost spiritual approach to dining.
From the moment you enter, the experience feels removed from the chaos of London. The dining room, minimalist and architectural, glows with amber light and natural materials. At the heart of it sits the omakase counter, seating just eight guests. This is the theatre of Tobi Masa: a culinary ballet performed in silence, where every slice, brushstroke, and pour has intent.
The menu unfolds as a tasting journey rather than a list of options. Guests surrender control to the chef, who curates a seasonal progression of dishes that may include toro tartare with caviar, pristine nigiri, uni with truffle, or A5 wagyu grilled over Japanese charcoal. The focus is purity of ingredient, prepared with reverence and restraint.
Prices are at the upper end of London fine dining, starting from £320 per person for the omakase experience, excluding drinks and service. The tasting lasts around two and a half hours and feels more like meditation than indulgence. A concise wine and sake pairing can be added, starting from £150, curated to match the delicate flavours of the meal.
For those seeking something less formal, there is a separate dining area offering à la carte dishes from around £40 to £75 per course, with desserts around £25. The menu, even at its most relaxed, remains impeccably crafted and true to Takayama’s ethos of simplicity.
Bookings are made exclusively online or through The Chancery Rosewood’s concierge, with reservations opening one month in advance. The omakase counter seats fill quickly, and cancellations are rare, making it one of the city’s most coveted dining experiences.
The service is understated and deeply attentive. Each course is explained with care, every motion choreographed to avoid intrusion. The experience is not for those seeking spectacle, but for those who appreciate calm luxury and precision.
For The W’s audience — modern creatives who see dining as art — Tobi Masa delivers a masterclass in minimalism. It’s not about excess or trend, but about surrendering to mastery. You leave not full, but transformed, reminded that perfection rarely needs to announce itself.
