Knightsbridge restaurant to host exclusive omakase pop-up in Marlow

A celebrated Japanese restaurant is heading to Marlow this spring for a special three-day omakase residency at The Oarsman.

The team behind Dinings SW3, based in Knightsbridge, will take over The Room Upstairs at the Spittal Street pub this April, bringing its signature dining experience to the town for the first time.

Known for its modern British, ingredient-led cooking and riverside setting, The Oarsman was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide last month, and regularly hosts residencies.

Founder James McLean told the Advertiser: “Following the success of our previous residencies, we’re delighted to welcome Dinings SW3 and Executive Chef Masaki Sugisaki to The Room Upstairs at The Oarsman.

"We’ve long admired Masaki’s skill and distinctive style, and it’s a real joy to bring that level of Japanese cuisine to Marlow.

"We’re very much looking forward to sharing this experience with our guests – a special few days in The Room Upstairs."

Guests will be seated around a single shared table from April 23 to 25 and served a multi-course omakase menu – meaning dishes selected by the chef – created by executive chef Masaki Sugisaki.

The menu promises to blend authentic Japanese techniques with subtle European influences, which is a hallmark of Dinings SW3’s style.

Dishes are set to include koji-cured venison tartare, charred hand-dived scallops and a sushi course, with a focus on sustainability and a ‘gill-to-tail’ philosophy to minimise waste.

Approaching its tenth anniversary, Dinings SW3 has built a reputation for its elegant yet informal izakaya-inspired dining, offering seasonal dishes alongside long-standing favourites.

Chef Sugisaki grew up in Saitama, north of Tokyo, where his family ran a traditional kaiseki restaurant.

After training in Japan and gaining experience in London, including working on the opening team at Nobu Berkeley Street, he opened Dinings SW3 in 2017.

Masaki Sugisaki said: "We love to take Dinings SW3 on the road, and Marlow is somewhere we have wanted to do a residency for some time.

"The town already has a reputation as a great destination for food and restaurants, but there’s very little in the form of Japanese cuisine there, so we are excited to bring something unique to Marlow.

“The Room Upstairs at The Oarsman is the perfect space to create a cosy, intimate, omakase dinner.

“We love that our guests will all be sharing a table - it’s a great way for people to enjoy a Dinings SW3 experience.

"I’m excited very about the menu we have created for the residency, and I am looking forward to meeting our guests throughout the weekend."

The Marlow residency will run on Thursday, April 23 (dinner only), and Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25 (lunch and dinner). Vegetarian options can be catered for with advance notice.

Lunch sittings will feature a slightly shorter menu, and each experience will begin with a welcome cocktail, with optional wine and sake pairings available.

Bookings for the residency can be made via the Dinings SW3 website.