Tucked away in the mews of Bruton Place, just off Berkeley Square, The Cocochine sits inside a four-storey Mayfair townhouse. It is the restaurant of chef Larry Jayasekara, who opened it in March 2024.
Larry was born in Sri Lanka and trained at culinary school in Devon, before going on to work under some of the most respected chefs in Britain and France, in one, two and three Michelin-starred kitchens. In 2016 he was named National Chef of the Year by the Craft Guild of Chefs, and in 2021 he received a special award at the Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards for his charity work during the pandemic.
The house is laid out over four floors. The main dining room is on the ground floor, and on the first floor there is a chef’s counter with seven seats. The top floor is given over entirely to the private dining room, which seats up to sixteen and has its own lounge area, a large fireplace, bespoke furniture and a collection of art.
From the moment I arrived, the team were extremely hospitable. Everyone was friendly and attentive, and I felt comfortable straight away. The whole experience was a wonderful one.
Larry’s cooking is refined and modern, and built around the produce. Much of it comes from Rowler Farm Estate, a regenerative farm in Northamptonshire around sixty miles from the restaurant, while the seafood comes from the waters around Tanera Island, off the Scottish coast. Alongside these are suppliers Larry has found over twenty years of fine dining and travelling.
For something more intimate, The Cocochine also offers a Chef’s Table Experience. I had the pleasure of experiencing the Chef’s Table Experience, which consisted of a surprise tasting menu, thoughtfully crafted by Chef Larry using the finest seasonal ingredients. Inspired by a farm-to-table philosophy, I enjoyed a carefully curated journey of signature dishes, Banana Leaf BBQ Native Lobster Rice being a personal favourite, in a warm, communal setting designed for sharing and discovery. I finished the exquisite eleven course menu with Larry’s Cream Caramel, Caviar. To complete the experience, I delightfully received a bespoke takeaway bag with selected jams and raw honey to enjoy at home.
The wine cellar was amazing, and one of the highlights of my visit.
The Cocochine has a good, modern buzz to it, and it felt good to be there. It is the perfect choice for an evening out fine dining, and somewhere I would genuinely like to return to. Given the experience, I am sure I will.
The Cocochine, 27 Bruton Place, Mayfair, London W1.
