Chef Rainer Becker has confirmed he is opening a sister restaurant to London hot spot Zuma in the capital in May.
The new venture, which will be located on Charlotte Street on the site formerly occupied by Italian restaurant Villa Carlotta, will be called Roka and will serve German-born Becker's trademark Japanese cuisine.
Becker, however, stressed that Roka would not be a second Zuma. "Japan is a big country, with plenty of food to explore," said Becker. "In the UK, people only know sashimi, sushi and tempura."
The 80-seat restaurant will focus on a traditional Japanese robata grill in the middle of the dining room, with counter seating for 30 around it, offering customers the chance of a faster, more casual meal. In summer, the front windows will open on to the pavement.
Becker has appointed New Zealander Nicholas Watt as head chef. The two worked together when Becker spent six years as executive chef at Tokyo's Park Hyatt hotel.
The restaurant will also feature the Shochu bar, named after the Japanese distilled spirit, serving traditional and contemporary cocktails including shochu and home-made tonics.
Zuma opened in 2002 and rapidly gained the respect of London's top chefs as well as becoming the haunt of film and music celebrities.
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper, 22 - 28 January 2004