Dining

A Taste of Kyoto

by: BTM - Sat, 07 Nov 2026

Sato welcomes two-Michelin-star Chef Takagi Kazuo for an exclusive five-day residency.

A traditional gong welcomes guests to Sato at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain, where a lantern-lit corridor leads past its circular aquarium to the sushi bar, tatami rooms and teppanyaki tables. Serving Japanese cuisine since 1983, the restaurant received a contemporary, Zen-inspired renovation in 2025.

Under Chef de Cuisine Kevin De Guzman, Sato offers an intimate omakase experience at its sushi bar. For nearly a decade, Chef Takagi has mentored Sato’s kitchen team, sharing the techniques and discipline of Kyoto cuisine. November 17–21 will see him return to cook alongside Chef Kevin and the team, presenting a menu that pairs Japanese technique with Bahrain’s local catch. Guests will have plenty to whet their appetite, especially Chef Takagi’s signature hamour fillet gently poached in dashi.

“The whole experience is meant to feel like a natural conversation between two island cultures,” he notes.

Japanese Michelin-starred Chef Kazuo Takagi visiting Sato in Bahrain Lunch and dinner will be served throughout the residency, with an exclusive masterclass on Saturday, November 21.

The occasion draws on the Japanese concept of ichigo ichie, meaning “one time, one meeting”, an invitation to partake in an encounter that can never be exactly recreated.

Seats are limited, so advance reservations are recommended.
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