By Neil Sowerby
THE regeneration of Peter Street is almost complete with the October 30 launch of a huge new restaurant/bar complex situated between Revolucion de Cuba and the Albert Hall.
The empty eyesore that was once the Chicago Rock Cafe has been transformed into Sakana, a 450-capacity, two floor, two restaurant, two bar venture.
Its the brainchild of Rockstar Leisure, a company run by Stewart Yip (Red Chilli, Ocean Treasure, K2 Karaoke, Chi Yip supermarkets) and his three sonsm Simon, Ricky and Andy. Their cousin Tim will be Sakana's general Manager.
Sakana is apparently a Japanese term for nubble served to accompany sake. Taste of Manchester understands the food offering will be somewhat more substantial! There's to be 250 restaurant covers and 200 bar covers spread across the two floors, with the ground floor featuring an open-fronted drinking terrace, a long bar with one of Europes largest wine walls and open kitchen restaurant with two teppanyaki sections and a sushi counter surrounding an open-flame, island robata grill. Wagyu beef is expected to be on the menu. Upstairs there's to be another bar and a Pan Asian fine-dining restaurant.
Centrepiece of the split level Sakana is a spectacular six metre high metal tree, which will light up. This recreation of a Japanese maple was designed by local artist Sarah Gallagher-Hayes, while Japanese artist Masako has also been commissioned to create a set of contemporary artworks for the venue.
Sakana opens on Peter Street from October 30.