With the arrival of Izakaya, Amsterdam has added a new culinary hotspot. The restaurant gives a new dimension to Japanese cuisine. Izakaya is best translated as "pub," a cornerstone of Japanese food culture. The dishes are served on small plates where, in line with Asian 'grazing menus', guests can order as many or as few dishes as they like.
Izakaya sprung from the creative and inspiring mind of international hospitality entrepreneur Yossi Eliyahoo (Momo and The Butcher, among others). To give shape to his ideas, Yossi collaborated with internationally award-winning interior designers BK Architects whose design took traditional Japanese Izakaya to the next level. Inspired by the five traditional Japanese elements: fire, earth, air, water and sky, Izakaya's design is authentic and simple, creating a stylish and vibrant atmosphere that fits the needs of a cosmopolitan city.
Chef Hariprasad (Hari) Shetty, from London's starred restaurant "Nobu," is in charge of the innovative Asian Kitchen & Bar that traditionally works with the Japanese Robata grill. In full view of the guests, the chefs do their work. In addition to specialties from the Robata grill, Izakaya brings a variety of small dishes prepared on demand on the Hibachi fire bowl and Japanese small hot plate on charcoal. They also serve daily fresh sashimi and maki rolls.