Taking the place of Ichibuns in Chinatown, Yatay is a new Japanese robatayaki grill restaurant, inspired by the izakayas and street vendors of Tokyo (indeed, ‘Yatay’ is a reference to those very street vendors).
In addition to the aforementioned grilling, pickling and fermenting will be a big thing on the menu by Head Chef Marco Ardemagni, who comes from Sushisamba. That includes:
- Stuffed Shiso leaves with spiced organic chicken, garlic and lime tensoyu
- Monk Fish Karaage with gochujang mayo.
- Blow torched Mackerel with wasabi and pickled ginger
- Seaweed salad with cavolo nero and pickled daikon
- Sweet Potato with miso cured cream cheese and garlic chips
- Hispi Cabbage with nori butter and katsuobushi
And as for the skewers from the grill, expect:
- Tsukune Meatballs with confit egg yolk;
- Skirt Steak with yuzu-kosho, chili and lime
- King Oyster Mushroom with sudachi, mushroom salt
And after all that, desserts include ricotta mochi with kinako and kuromitsu, cheese cake ‘Japanese style’ with dulce de leche and fried milk bread doughnut with matcha and sesame custard.
For drinks, sake will be a big thing - including bottles like Masuizumi Junmai Daiginjo, aged in Burgundy barrels - with natural wines a focus on the wine list. Also expect Japanese highballs and sharing cocktails as well as their main cocktails, which include the Midnight Club (Nikka from the barrel, Lapsang souchong and Angostura Bitters).
As for the look of the restaurant, it's split across two floors with the ground floor centred around the charcoal robatayaki grill, and with a design that features contemporary artists.
It's not all that's coming from Yatay, as a basement bar is planned too. We'll have more news on that soon.
More about Yatay
Where is it? 22 Wardour Street, London W1D 6QQ
When does it open? 16 November 2021
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @yataysoho.
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