Kioku by Endo

Kioku by Endo occupies the sixth floor of The OWO, the former War Office on Whitehall that is now home to Raffles London. It is the London restaurant of Endo Kazutoshi, a third-generation sushi master from Yokohama, and its name means 'memory' in Japanese. The cooking is modern Japanese, built around tasting menus and an a la carte selection, served in a room that opens onto one of the most complete rooftop views in central London: Whitehall, Horse Guards, the London Eye and St James's Park.

The spaces suit private events of several sizes. The main restaurant seats eighty and extends to around two hundred guests when the adjoining rooftop terrace is opened up, one of the larger rooftop settings in the area for a reception. Two private dining rooms sit within the building's turrets and behind the pass: The Turret, a circular room for up to twelve with 360-degree views, and The Chef's Table, an eight-seat counter overlooking the kitchen with an eleven-course tasting menu. On the ground floor, the Sake Bar is a contemporary listening bar pouring more than a hundred sakes alongside Japanese cocktails.

For a music-led evening the whole venue can be taken across the restaurant, bar and terrace. The seasonal terrace works well for warm-weather launches and receptions, and the bar for later gatherings. Access is through the hotel, and the events team handles private bookings.