O Japonês

Quality products are essential in all high-end kitchens but when it comes to the raw art of sushi, the difference between ‘quality’ and ‘the best’ cannot be underestimated. Enter Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon’s new dining venue, O Japonês (The Japanese): an intimate 8-table concept where it really is “all about the food.”

Tucked into an unassuming space in the hotel’s atrium lobby across from The Ritz Bar, O Japonês follows the Hotel’s hugely successful introduction of sushi at The Ritz Bar – and the requests of guests and local patrons ever since to establish a permanent Japanese restaurant.

“O Japonês may be small, but it’s not the space that people come for,” comments the Hotel’s General Director of the hotel, Guilherme Costa.  “O Japonês unites authenticity, tradition and fusion flavours in a way that hasn’t been experienced in the city before.”

The menu covers a tantalising range of Japanese dishes, from the purest traditional sashimi, mouth-watering urumakis and signature ‘Shrimp Tempura’ to exciting à la carte Nikkei inspired dishes that showcase a bold evolution of flavours and techniques, like ‘John Dory fillet with vinaigrette chili shiso, japanese rice’ and ‘Lobster and Spinach Salad with Yuzu and Truffle Vinaigrette.’ Desserts are no less impressive, most notably ‘Marinated Red Berries with Yuzu Ice-cream’ and ‘Ritz Cheesecake’.

The culinary love affair between Japan and Portugal dates back to the 16th century, when Portuguese sailors, explorers and missionaries brought their batter of flour and eggs to the land of the rising sun and inspired the birth of tempura.

O Japonês remains true to this heritage with its own ritualistic approach to Japanese cuisine. Its eight tables of two are arranged around a central Chef, immersing guests in the delicate art of preparation and presentation. And the city’s finest quality ingredients are matched by a superior attention to detail that permeates everything from plating and sake to matcha and momentum – the serving tempo being a key part of the experience.

“O Japonês is born from and for our guests, who have continued to champion our Japanese culinary offerings,” comments Guilherme Costa. “We are delighted to be opening a dedicated venue that we hope will become as iconic an institution as its neighbour, The Ritz Bar, while continuing to celebrate the rich culinary exchanges between Portugal and Japan.”

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