Izakaya - "Stay, Drink, Place" the new informal Japanese dining experience in York

Following a very successful soft launch week at the end of November, Izakaya's Grand Opening was on 1st December and all seems to be going down well.

Following a very successful soft launch week at the end of November, Izakaya's Grand Opening was on 1st December and all seems to be going down well.

Two local York boys, Adam Johnson and Daniel Victory did not know each other until they met at SparkYork where they both had business ventures.

Danny has been working in kitchens since he was 15 and he has been lucky enough to have worked with some great Michelin starred chefs which led to his passion and knowledge of Japanese food and ingredients.  Do you remember Shori at Spark York? Well that was Danny who spent 3 years serving up some wonderful dishes.

Adam graduated in Business and Economics and has experience in the events and bar industry. He also set up the Bohemian Bar at Spark York.

 A clear (hungry) desire and passion has led to them opening Izakaya a contemporary rather than traditional Japanese small plate restaurant.  Izakaya translates as "stay, drink, place" normally an informal bar you would find in Tokyo.  Danny and Adam have kept some traditional dishes done as they should be but not all and added a modern twist.  Not only is this apparent in what comes out of the kitchen but the whole decor at their premises - 21 Grape Lane - are modern and minimilistic, right down to the table set up and the menus. And wonderful soft unobtrusive Japanese style music plays in the background.  Look at the picture of those lights at the back of the restaurant!

I dined there during the soft launch and loved every one of the dishes served up from the tasting menu,  but what I loved even more was the very extensive and confident explanation the servers gave about every dish and every drink. They were so knowledgable and service was good and friendly. I commented on the Lamb Mojo Elderberry Bao and Danny told me he had actually been foraging for the elderberries for that dish! 

Adam and Danny had some false starts along the way with trying to secure premises but then 21 Grape Lane came up.  As this was the former home of Wilde's Bar and Bistro it saved them a lot of work in turning it into a Japanese style restaurant.  And it just happens to be amongst a diverse selection and some of the York's best restaurants. 

Everything about them is local - they have kept on some staff from Wilde's Bar.  Their general manager, Sam Ibbotson met Danny when he was a manager at Forage and Danny was a director chef.  Their creative experienced bartenders and servers are locally sourced like most of their ingredients.  Adam said " we have built a good team of local people".

They said that their soft launch and the good feedback they have received will allow them to refine and adjust dishes and they hope to change the menu regularly.

Make sure you save room for their signature desserts and dont forget to have a cocktail - both with a Japanese twist.

Izakaya are open Wednesday to Sunday - 12 til 12 with last food orders at 9pm - bar snack menu available after this time.

You will be able to hear Danny and Adam chatting on Nick Love's show, "Love in the Morning" on Monday 7th December around 11.20am as they have been chosen Jorvik Radio's Business of the Week.  If you miss it you can catch up on the Listen Again feature - Listen Again - Jorvik Radio