Restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess has officially unveiled the highly anticipated Yoko Dining at Howard Smith Wharves, with Brisbane’s newest riverfront venue now open for business.

For his second restaurant in the city, the chef has translated the energetic experience of Tokyo’s izakayas, music bars and pop-infused counterculture into a raucous split-level bistro.

Set over two levels of dining, drinking and fun classics on vinyl, Yoko marries Brisbane’s breezy lifestyle with all the highlights of Japan’s sophisticated and sustainable cuisine.

At the centre of the kitchen led by chef Kitak Lee (Cho Cho San, Kisumé, Momofuku Seiobo) is the hibachi charcoal grill – influencing Yoko’s seafood-leaning menu, which celebrates Japanese classics.

Items served at the establishment include raw bar with fresh sashimi, tempura, seasonal gyoza, tempura, plentiful noodles and textural salads.

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Source: Yoko Dining

They accompany large-format dishes include an authentic Tonkatsu, a premium wagyu selection and grilled reef fish with ponzu, all designed to share between friends over yuzu slushies, wine on tap, or bottles from Yoko’s 100-strong wine list.

The menu also incorporates a series of Japan’s signature playful desserts, such as matcha soft serve, ice cream mochi with miso caramel and shaved milk ice. 

The design of the space is a vision brought to life by long-time collaborator and interior architect George Livissianis, who has united the rustic, heritage build of “beautiful old shed” on the wharf with a contemporary Japanese Spirit.

This sensory, intriguing and geometrically designed space features a Japanese ‘box’ structure of blond American Ash Plywood in an immersive design that wraps the space, juxtaposed against the wharf’s original timber framework.

This simplistic, ordered Japanese aesthetic is then layered with an enlivening izakaya spirit created by the distinctive 80’s style futuristic lighting and pops of colour.

The resulting space exudes a retro futuristic feel, complemented by Yoko’s mezzanine- a hidden bar and dining space highlighted with more obvious colour accents, found objects and sensory lighting design.

Click here for more information about what is on at Howard Smith Wharves.

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