Japanese restaurant Kyashii is to launch next week in London’s Covent Garden, in an attempt to shake off its predecessor’s “bling bling” image and focus on its food offering.
Kyashii, which previously occupied just the basement of the ultra glamorous private members club Kingly Club, will open across the entire building on 18 October.
The site will comprise a restaurant, sushi bar and champagne lounge, as well as a contemporary Japanese menu devised by head chef Jacky Yu, formerly of Zuma.
Speaking to BigHospitality today, a spokesman said that Kyashii’s owners wanted to put the Kingly Club behind them.
“The restaurant is trying to move away from making a big splash, and become more food-focused,” he said. “The Kingly Club was opened in the recession, and it was the wrong time, so it was decided to re-open the whole building as a Japanese sushi concept and run with it.”
However, Kyashii has not totally abandoned its nightclub style décor, which the restaurant describes as “pure unadulterated glamour”. The four dining spaces comprise white and neon décor and leather seating, panoramic fish tanks and a polished granite sushi counter as well as DJs in residence on selected nights.
Menu
The food offering features appetisers such as Tofu Avocado Gyoza; Oyster Platter served with Ume-shu Jelly & Sake; Yellowtail Ponzu with Truffle Oil.
Signature main courses include are Grilled Black Cod Fillet with Saikyo Miso Marinates; tender Pan-fried Beef Fillet Steak Strips with Dynamite Mustard Sauce; Organic Scottish Lamb Rack with Okinawa Piri-kara Sauce and Foie Gras-Uni Butter with Chilean Sea Bass.
Kyashii also offers a selection of fresh Sashimi and Nigiri, including Rainbow Rolls, made with seven varieties of fish; Soft Shell Crab Rolls and Dragon Rolls, tempura prawn with thin slices of avocado.
Accompanying the dishes will be a comprehensive selection of wines, champagnes and sake. A “lengthy” spirits list also includes a range of Japanese Nikka Whisky.