Tasting menus on trial

ES Magazine
12 Jun 2009

Umu
14-16 Bruton Place, W1
(020 7499 8881; umurestaurant.com)

What The only UK restaurant that copies the Kyoto menu style. The cooking is as sleek as the dark teak décor. Chefs use the freshest seasonal ingredients to produce 'kaiseki', Japanese tasting menus. Each course is a work of art. Try sea bass and rainbow trout sashimi and Wagyu beef (cooked over a fire lantern at the table).
Order The Kyoto kaiseki menu.
Cost £135 for nine courses.
Best time to go Wednesday to Saturday for lunch.
Rating 9/10

Dolada
13 Albemarle Street, W1
(020 7409 1011; dolada.co.uk)

What Fresh on the market, this charming Italian opened in January, under the control of Venetian Riccardo de Pra. Tasting menu nuggets include wonderfully light scampi carpaccio with violet caviar and aubergine and robiola ravioli.
Order The 'new' spaghetti carbonara is their signature: a deconstructed dish with no cream and ingredients served separately for you to mix yourself.
Cost £55 for six courses.
Best time to go Thursday or Friday evening.
Rating 8/10

Imli
167-169 Wardour Street, W1
(020 7287 4243; imli.co.uk)

What This Indian tapas restaurant doesn't bother with the typical curries or kebabs; it's all about tasting as many different dishes as you can for a not-too-spicy price. The tables are huge so you can fit everything on.
Order The papdi chaat is the most popular dish, and the masala grilled chicken and onion vadi are worth a try as well.
Cost The tasting menu has nine dishes for £12 per person.
Best time to go Wednesday to Friday for dinner.
Rating 8/10