ALBA London is to launch a new Japanese dining concept and ten-seat omakase counter at its Knightsbridge restaurant this September.
Located within the existing dining room at 70 Brompton Road, directly opposite Harrods, the counter will sit alongside ALBA’s established Amalfi Coast-inspired food offer.
The Japanese concept will be led by Chef Dmytro Pak, who joins ALBA following his work in the Japanese kitchen at UNI in Paris.
The counter will operate with a single evening sitting at 7.30pm and accommodate ten guests.
Two chef-selected menus will be offered: a nine-course omakase and an extended 12-course menu, with both changing according to seasonal sourcing and the seafood available each day.
Ingredients will include Hokkaido uni, bluefin otoro, Kristal and Beluga caviar and daily seafood deliveries, served through nigiri, sashimi and smaller raw courses prepared in front of guests.
Alongside the omakase experience, ALBA will introduce a Japanese à la carte menu available daily, giving guests the option of ordering individual dishes without taking the full tasting menu.
The new concept has been developed around similarities between Japanese sashimi and the Italian tradition of crudo already found within ALBA’s menu.
Both approaches focus on high-quality raw seafood with limited intervention, although Italian crudo typically incorporates ingredients such as olive oil, citrus and salt, while sashimi places greater emphasis on knife work and minimal accompaniments.
ALBA said the addition is intended to complement rather than replace its existing southern Italian identity, with Japanese cooking providing a second interpretation of the restaurant’s focus on seafood.
The restaurant currently serves dishes including Pink Prawn Carpaccio, Lobster Linguine, Crab Ravioli and Octopus alla Luciana alongside its wider Italian menu.
The omakase counter will occupy the left side of ALBA’s dining room, looking towards Harrods through the restaurant’s windows.
Pak will prepare each course directly in front of diners, creating a more intimate format within the wider restaurant.
ALBA’s Japanese à la carte menu will be available daily, with walk-ins accepted subject to availability.
Pre-booking will be available for the omakase counter ahead of its September launch, with capacity limited to ten diners for each sitting.
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