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Endo Kazutoshi (previously sushi chef at Zuma) opened this exclusive (just 10 seats), no-expense-spared dining experience, in the rotunda of the former BBC Television Centre. Giles Coren of The Times ate there pre-opening, and had "the most perfect meal" of his 20 years as a critic, so expect to book months ahead for a seat.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“A total one off” – Endo Kazutoshi’s “zen-like” venue occupies a unique site, on the top of the old BBC Television Centre, and is “spectacular in all respects”. “Chef Endo has ruined all other sushi restaurants for me… watching Endo and his team preparing individual pieces of sushi… the rice perfect and still slightly warm, the seafood surely all the best money can buy and prepared with utmost respect. It could be pretentious, but Chef Endo is such a warm and welcoming presence that it never feels like it”. Despite the ruinous expense, all reports say it’s “worth every penny”: “The best meal ever… until you go back!”
Summary
“Quite possibly the best meal of my life!” – Endo Kazutoshi delivers “magical experiences, time after time” in his “tiny but scenic restaurant in the old BBC Television Centre” and “there’s no superior restaurant in London”. “Endo blends theatre, passion and extraordinary ingredients” and diners “really appreciate his dedication” in creating an omakase (‘leave it to the chef’) meal that provides “an unparalleled quality of food served with personal flair”. “More than a meal, it was an experience poured out of the heart and hands of Chef Endo… I will return… far more impressive than most 3 Michelin starred meals I have had”.
Summary
“A gastronomic triumph teamed with great theatre makes for an unforgettable night out”, at Endo Kazutoshi’s “educational, luxurious, cosseting and extremely fun” experience: a 10-seater on the rooftop of the former BBC TV Centre in Shepherd’s Bush. “Endo is a huge character and his sushi is the best in London”. “To see the food prepared, learn about the ingredients and experience impeccable Japanese service is brilliant, and the added showmanship of Endo-san just makes the whole thing unforgettable”. “The eye-watering price makes this an occasional treat”, but those with sufficiently deep pockets say it’s “definitely worth the spend”: “best meal I’ve ever had… still thinking about it on a daily basis!”.
Summary
A “sensational Japanese sushi experience”, “prepared and served by a true entertainer and showman”, wins near-perfect marks for Endo Kazutoshi’s (former sushi chef at Zuma) 16-seat yearling, in the rotunda atop the former BBC Television Centre in White City – nowadays transformed as a huge, glam apartment complex by Nick Jones of Soho House. The venture invites some comparisons with the early days of Mitsuhiro Araki at The Araki, although here the much glossier setting arguably lives up more to the inevitably stratospheric price tag: “a highly informative experience of great intimacy: not cheap, but a lot less than a plane ticket to Japan…”. (On the basis that the comparison with The Araki is warranted, Michelin will likely hand this place two stars in autumn 2019).
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Endo at The Rotunda?
8th Floor, The Helios, TV Centre,101 Wood Lan, London, W12 7FR
Restaurant details
Endo at The Rotunda Restaurant Diner Reviews
"The best Japanese food I have had outside Japan"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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| Lunch | £195.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £250.00 | |
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| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £60.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £7.00 |
| Extras |
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| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
8th Floor, The Helios, TV Centre,101 Wood Lan, London, W12 7FR
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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