Romanian-born chef Alex Craciun, who made his name at Jason Atherton’s Sosharu, has returned to London after nine years to open a Japanese-inspired restaurant called Aces Foodcraft in Fitzrovia.
The restaurant, which opens tomorrow (1 November), operates on two levels: during the daytime it is relatively casual, with a seasonal à la carte menu, daily specials and lunch deals, while in the evening focus is on a 9-seat kitchen counter where Alex will cook and serve directly, creating a “live tasting menu experience” alongside the option to eat à la carte.
Aces Foodcraft is a joint venture with his wife, Aleksandra Jazevica, a director of high-end grocer Primeur in New Covent Garden market, and Alex says: “With her involved, I truly believe Aces will have one of the most seasonal and ingredient-driven menus in London.
“It’s a deeply personal and produce-led restaurant, where creativity meets seasonality, designed to bring a sense of home, theatre, and innovation to the heart of London.”
Originally trained in classical European cuisine, Alex bought a one-way ticket to Japan to immerse himself in Japanese cooking, working his way up from washing pots at the legendary restaurant RyuGin. Since leaving Sosharu he has worked in Singapore and Marbella, and he is partner in two restaurants in Romania.
His signature dishes at Aces Foodcraft include: English baby lamb truffle souffle with fave beans and spring vegetables; Kagoshima wagyu asparagus and pickled himeji mushrooms; and Aji horse mackerel from Okinawa with crispy nori with fresh wasabi.
