Matsuri (Mayfair)

• With speedy hands and accuracy our dinner was prepared in a flash
• Mains the teppan grills installed in the tables were used to cook our food in front of eyes
• The best was saved to last as the meal ended with a spectacular theatrical performance of the &ldquo
• Then huge blocks of ice cream were added to the teppan grill and Grand Marnier was poured over it
• Opened in 1993 the restaurant was formed as part of a joint partnership between Central Japan Railway Company and Kikkoman they guys behind that delicious soy sauce we all know and love
• The only way to start a meal at Matsuri is of course with the sushi
• Tuna and salmon nigiri rolls and a simple avocado sushi roll were stunning examples
• Fresh vegetables cooked just right with a nice bite and none of that sogginess you see far too much from using cheap oil
• The prawns were unbelievably good and the tempura batter had that all important crunch and salty tang to it
• Alaskan black cod marinated in ginger was by far the best thing we ate at Matsuri
• I'm always describing dishes as 'melt in your mouth' which is always meant more as a figure of speech
• A foot wide this really was a mammoth piece of beef which had been aged beautifully
• One side was completely covered with sea salt while cooking to lock in moisture and the beef slab also sported a layer of fat which was reminiscent to eating melted foie gras
• Once cooked cutting through it was like slicing into soft butter
• It's hard to keep up with the opening and closing of restaurants in London
• While 20 years is somewhat an institution that is outside of all susceptible trends
• Is one of those places that is surviving the test of time with a quality ingredients for sushi and teppan yaki
• Teppan yaki is either a 'love it or loathe' it
• It is no surprise that it is also called butterfish with it's moist and succulent texture
• Cooked long on the grill a kilo worth of rump with a thick layer of sea salt on the top
• Served with some green and white asparagus and a few extra slithers of that scintillating fat this beef was so flavoursome
• While the fat was unlike what I've had before
• The simplicity on the plate is what I like
• Theatrics was left to the end with the 'ice cream on fire' to go with pancakes and some rather nice grilled pineapple
• Definitely somewhere to go with a group of friends or family for an occasion
• The service is exceptional
• ) and have been literally feeding my excitement by visiting some of the best destinations for Japanese cuisine here in London
• The Matsuri St James is a traditional Japanese restaurant in the heart of Mayfair
• Meat and vegetables are cooked by a chef on an iron grill in front of customers seated around a semi circular table
• We started with a newly invented cocktail which as yet has not been named by the skilled barman
• Many of which are prepared before your eyes
• The first course was a selection of sushi
• Matsuri roll with plenty of chilli bite
• The batter was impossibly light and not remotely greasy
• Meanwhile the teppan yaki grill was being fired up and the chef began to prepare the next course in the procession
• Watching the deft knife and stir fry action was mesmerising
• The secret to egg fried rice is to use day old rice
• Is marinated for a minimum of three days until it is meltingly cloud like
• Who were clearly having fun with the company card and ordering amazingly marbled wagyu beef
• The Fireball Ice Cream is a must for dessert &ndash
• Brandy is poured onto ice cream to create a huge fireball which is then served on a pancake with grilled pineapple
• The matcha green tea ice cream is a lovely way to round off an excellent meal
• Every course was matched by an excellent selection of wines and to finish
• The whisky trolley was wheeled over
• I picked Matsuri for a farewell dinner with a friend last night
• The dining area is decorated simply and elegantly
• Yakitori at Matsuri St James We started off with some yakitori and prawn and vegetable tempura
• The portion was small &ndash
• Though perhaps it could have done with a little more salt
• The kids were happy with their lunch
• James has some of the best Japanese food in London
• In my experience is one of the most authentic Japanese places to dine in the UK
• The dining area is situated in the basement
• We started off with some seasonal appetisers &ndash
• Clipping them into place with almost maternal tenderness
• Teppan yaki) is a style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook food
• They have private rooms with private chefs
• Sake and plum wine were all new to me and what a great way to be introduced to them
• The drama (there was flaming ice cream) and the venue

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