Kino Restaurant Opens in London with Japanese Minimalist Design and Seasonal Cuisine

Kino, a contemporary Japanese restaurant, has launched on Draycott Avenue near South Kensington in London. The establishment features an interior design concept described as 'ascetic minimalism' by Studio APAA, the design firm led by founders Alexey Penyuk and Anastasia Artemeva. The dining space incorporates Japanese antiques and modern artworks, including a photograph by Daidō Moriyama titled 'Tattooed Girl in Shinjuku' that establishes an atmospheric tone. Architectural elements include a bar made from volcanic stone with a steel countertop, exposed wooden beams overhead, and furniture that blends Japanese and Western design traditions. Chef Pavel Baranovs, previously of UBA at Hart Hotel, leads the kitchen, applying Japanese culinary methods with subtle Eastern European influences. The menu emphasizes seasonal ingredients, fermentation techniques, and ingredient provenance, featuring dishes such as Wagyu udon soup, Imperial black cod with yuzu miso glaze, and various sushi items. A matcha tiramisu dessert incorporates Suntory whisky, and cocktails are presented in distinctive glassware. The restaurant aims to provide an immersive dining experience that reflects Japanese aesthetics through deliberate simplicity and cultural references.