Restaurateur Dominic Ford has opened an authentic Japanese ‘yakitori` restaurant next door to his Tamesa brasserie at the Oxo Tower on London`s South Bank.
Bincho Yakitori is on the second floor of the building, in the space previously occupied by Richard Neat`s shortlived Neat Restaurant.
Ford has had his eye on the site for the three years since Neat closed, and has spent much of that time travelling between London and Japan with business partners David Miney (who has cooked in several restaurants in Japan) and Ronnie Truss (ex Fish!
and Bank Restaurant Group) to prepare for Bincho`s opening.
The 120-cover restaurant has six open grills with a 20-seat eating bar and a sake bar, with the aim to recreate the ‘izakaya` eating experience in Japan.
The menu focuses on yakitori – chargrilled skewers of seasoned poultry, as well as kushiyaki – a variation using other meats, seafood and vegetables.
Ford said: "It fascinates me that no one has done a full yakitori restaurant in London, because it sits between Wagamama and Yo! Sushi and formal places like Nobu. It`s very easy food – approachable, very affordable and absolutely delicious."