Christmas at Aki: the 100-day countdown

The air is turning. A new energy is gathering across London as the city prepares for its most electric season. Soon, Cavendish Square will be awash in light, and the familiar, festive rhythm will take hold. It’s a time of powerful anticipation.

We believe in harnessing that energy.

Step away from the crowds and into a different current at 1 Cavendish Square. The night begins at the Kyori Lounge, with the deep glow of the bar and the sharp, clean notes of a perfectly crafted cocktail in hand. This is the prelude. From here, you move into the main dining room, where the resident DJ sets a magnetic pulse. This isn’t a place that quiets the season. Aki is a place that gives it a rhythm. This is a celebration of warmth, vibrancy, and light.

For many, a 100-day countdown can feel like a race to the finish line. Here at Aki we see it as the opposite. For us, this is the exciting, foundational period of shitakoshirae (下拵え), the Japanese art of masterful preparation. Shitaoshirae is about focused, unseen work that builds towards a flawless performance. It’s the energy a chef puts into sharpening a knife, the patient craft of a perfectly balanced infusion, the dedication that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. It is the art of building momentum.

 

This is the spirit that drives us now. Our head chef Mamadou Sankare and his team are deep in their shitokoshirae, orchestrating a menu that will define the season. They are securing the most exquisite truffles and sourcing rare, cold-water fish at its absolute peak. Our in-house farms are being tuned to coax out deep, earthy herbs, while in the Kyori Lounge, our mixologists are building layers of flavour in smoked and spiced infusions, destined to become the heart of an exceptional cocktail.

 

The vibrant, seamless experience our guests enjoy in the pre-Christmas season is born from the focused energy we harness today.

 

As autumn brings shorter days, our menu is designed to answer with its own warmth and brilliance. We believe the food of this season should ignite the palate, offering flavours that glow from within.

 

Our dashi is the heart of this philosophy: a deep, glowing foundation of profound umami, built over hours to be both intensely savoury and astonishingly light. From this base, we build dishes that radiate with the season’s character: the earthy sweetness of roasted kabocha squash, the rich marbling of Wagyu melting against the heat of the robata.

 

Every dish is a study in dynamic balance. Just as the DJ’s beat anchors the room’s energy, deep, resonant flavours are punctuated by moments of radiant clarity. You’ll find it in the bright, clean current of a yuzu dressing that cuts through richness, or in the pristine brilliance of our sashimi, sliced to honour its purity. This is a menu designed not just to be tasted, but to be felt.

 

We know our guests are also masters of preparation. Orchestrating a truly memorable Christmas gathering is its own form of shitakoshirae. It requires vision and intent. For those ready to craft a standout event, our private dining spaces provide the perfect stage.

 

The elevated mezzanine terrace floats above the vibrant pulse of the main dining room, offering an exclusive vantage point for an intimate, high-energy gathering. For a true statement celebration, our frescoed private room provides a backdrop of undeniable elegance and historic character. Here, our team will collaborate with you to design a bespoke event, from a multi-course tasting menu with curated sake pairings to a private cocktail reception beginning in the Kiyori lounge.

 

The festive season is a current of energy. We believe in channelling it. The 100-day countdown is your call to orchestrate a celebration that is deliberate, vibrant, and unforgettable.