Turning Japanese? Busaba to launch izakaya concept
On 27-29 George Street in the space that was once home to Pint Shop, Busaba Oxford will bring the group up to a total of 11 sites when it launches in early December.
The as-yet-unnamed subterranean bar won’t launch until January, however.
Billed as an ‘immersive and mysterious basement bar’ that’s ‘exclusively for those in the know’ the new concept will take inspiration from ‘the izakaya bars of Japan where late night drinks, snacks and revelries offer an escape and sanctuary from the chaos of everyday life’.
The 55-cover upstairs restaurant will seek to pull in custom from New Theatre across the road with a £16 pre-theatre menu available from 4-7pm daily.
Dishes will include favourites such as wok-tossed calamari in ginger and green peppercorn sauce; king prawn pad Thai with tamarind sauce, beansprouts, fried shallot, garlic chives, peanuts & lime; and warming bowls of green curries infused with coconut milk, lemongrass chilli and ginger.
And, especially for the December opening, there’ll be four special dishes showcasing ‘a Thai twist on festive flavours’ including whole crab in a yellow curry of chilli, coconut and sweet basil; deep-fried breaded ebi prawns with ‘Thai-tare’ dipping sauce and warm chocolate fondant served with coconut ice cream.
Busaba launched its first restaurant in Wales early this year within Cardiff’s Brewery Quarter.
Last year, the Alan Yau-founded group completed a Company Voluntary Arrangement that saw sites in central London, Manchester, St Albans and Reading close.
