Yebisu, Sydney’s funkiest new izakaya bar and restaurant, has opened in Regent Place, George Street, just opposite Sydney Town Hall. Dubbed Sydney’s ‘J-Village’, the revitalised Regent Place and surrounding neighbourhood is home to a number of Sydney’s best Japanese food and drink destinations including authentic ramen soup shop Tenkomori and Sydney’s first specialist matcha teahouse Chanoma Café.
Izakaya dining is fast becoming the go-to way of eating in Sydney with Yebisu’s extensive menu covering yakitori and other grill items as well as a huge roster of other Japanese classic hits such as sushi, sashimi, hot pots, noodles and fried dishes. Specialised chefs are assigned to each style of cooking withYebisu’s yakitori master sending out signature dishes such as chicken skewers (breast, thigh, giblet, meatball, wing or skin) plus pork belly, whole whiting or maybe baby squid. Vegetables are covered too with shiitake, water spinach and zucchini.
Leading the way in new-age restaurant technology, Yebisu also offers diners a fully integrated iPad ordering system with each table featuring its own iPad menu for customers to browse and order from. This state-of-the-art system and one of the first in Sydney allows diners to see what stage their order is at, from ‘order placed’ to ‘cooking currently’ to ‘on its way to the table’. Diners also have constant access to a running list of what food and drink has been ordered and a total cost of the bill. Interaction with waitstaff is up to you.
As well as food, you can also choose from Yebisu’s specialised sake list, several Japanese craft beers, wine and cocktails from your own personal iPad. A bespoke sake trolley also circulates the room with a specialist on hand to help navigate the extensive list. Once ordered, the sake is poured ceremoniously at the table with much fanfare, in true izakaya style.
Yebisu’s funky fit-out is boldly ‘east meets west’, reflecting the old and the new face of Japan. Traditional and obviously Japanese in its detail, the modern street art, courtesy of Coffs Harbour-based graffiti artist Ash Johnston, adds a truly urban edge. The exterior of the restaurant features brightly lit neon signage running alongside glowing paper lanterns traditionally found outside izakaya bars in Japan. Sydney-based Giant Designs are responsible forYebisu’s impressive interiors as well as the fit out of its J-Village neighbours, Chanoma Cafe and Tenkomori.
Yebisu Izakaya is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week at Regent Place on George Street.
Yebisu Izakaya
Regent Place
501 George Street, near Bathurst Street
Sydney
