SAKANA opens its doors to the public this Thursday (October 30), but early leaks of its pan-Asian menu from soft launches have set TOM salivating. The tiger Prawn Teppanyaki, above, is a thing of beauty, as is the interior a stunning transformation from its time as the Chicago Rock Cafe.
Big money has been spent on this 450-capacity, two floor, two restaurant, two bar complex on Peter Street It’s the brainchild of Rockstar Leisure, a company run by Stewart Yip (Red Chilli, Ocean Treasure, K2 Karaoke, Chi Yip supermarkets) and his three sons, Simon, Ricky and Andy. Their cousin Tim will be Sakana's general Manager.
Sakana is apparently a Japanese term for nibble served to accompany sake. We understand 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 Europe’s largest wine walls and open kitchen restaurant with two teppanyaki sections and a sushi counter surrounding an open-flame, island robata grill with Wagyu beef promised.
Upstairs there's 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 is also creating a set of contemporary artworks for the venue.
Sakana, 23 Peter Street, Manchester M2 5QR. http://www.sakanapan-asian.co.uk