This spring, Mei Ume at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square will celebrate the centuries-old custom of Hanami and the start of the cherry blossom season.
The restaurant and bar will be transformed with elaborate cherry blossom inspired décor from 11 March until 22 April and a special a la carte Japanese menu will be available during this period.
Hanami is the Japanese tradition of welcoming spring and enjoying the ephemeral beauty of the cherry blossom trees as they come into bloom. Between the end of March and early May, Japan celebrates this fleeting phenomenon by hosting outdoor parties, feasting beneath lanterns hung on the blossom-laden trees and drinking sake.
At Mei Ume, honoring the tradition of Hanami, the restaurant entrance and bar will be adorned with a display of cherry blossoms allowing guests to admire the twisting boughs above them.
To mark the occasion, Head Chef Tony Truong and Sushi Chef Mun Seok Choi will be creating a special a la carte menu of Japanese delicacies.
Dishes will include King prawn tempura with spicy mayo, the Golden dragon roll with unagi, fresh Alaskan crab and avocado, Grilled Chilean seabass marinated in sake and miso and Sea urchin and scallop fried rice cooked on a hot stone in sweet oyster sauce. For dessert, fragrant Snow flake matcha cake with salted caramel ice cream.
Alongside Mei Ume’s extensive sake menu curated by sommelier Jan Konetzki, the team will also be recommending special pairings for each of the seasonal cherry blossom dishes, for guests to get a true feel for this Japanese tradition.
There will also be a cherry blossom cocktail with a base of Roku Gin and Rinomato, topped up with cactus and chilli syrup, yuzu juice and sparkling sake, all served in a champagne glass and topped with a cherry blossom cloud.
Truong commented, “We are very excited to bring this beautiful Japanese tradition back to London. This year our guests will be welcomed to dine under our very own cherry blossoms and enjoy our specially created menu of Japanese dishes to celebrate and enjoy the spirit of Hanami.”