What a week it's turning out to be for one of Nottingham's best-loved restaurants. First Kushi-ya was catapulted into the national spotlight by restaurant critic Jay Rayner who proclaimed it brilliant value, utterly delicious and his "restaurant of the year."
Now, the Japanese grill has been named one of the Michelin inspectors' favourite new restaurants, earning it recognition in the revered worldwide food bible. Tucked away down Cannon Court, an alleyway off Long Row, the Japanese grill has earnt a huge following since originally starting out as a pop-up.
An inspector said: "This simple yet inviting first floor space features an opening kitchen and counter dining. The cooking is Japanese but we're not talking about sushi; instead they specialise in kushiyaki: skewers of meat and vegetables cooked over a charcoal grill. Sharing is encouraged and prices are easy on the pocket. Extend the evening with a visit to their bar, Yokocho, a few steps away in Hurts Yard."
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Simon Carlin, previously head chef at Iberico World Tapas in High Pavement, and Tom Clay, a junior sous chef at the Railway in Lowdham, are behind Kushi-ya. They first met when Tom worked in the kitchen at Iberico in High Pavement.
Simon said: "We’re thrilled to have been recognised and listed in the Michelin Guide. After a great review in the Guardian this week this is just the icing on the cake for the team. We love what we do and will continue to knock out great tasting food at a reasonable price."
But Rayner and Michelin are only saying what dedicated food lovers in Nottingham have known all along. Judges in the 2019 Nottinghamshire Food and Drinks Awards hailed it a star in the making, crowning it best new venue just a year after the launch in October 2018.
The chefs work from a small open kitchen, cooking over hot coals. Hot favourites furikake prawn toast and beef and black garlic mustard skewers are staples on the ever-changing menu and specials board, which have featured everything from sweetcorn and kale kakiage to chicken sando and kimchi pork belly to Japanese sausage with curry ketchup.
Imaginative desserts complete the experience such as amazake pudding with umeshu soaked cherries and candied almond, black sugar parfait with sesame crisp or a Japanese take on the Italian favourite called tira-miso. The lunchtime deal offers unbeatable value with one snack, two skewers and rice for £14.
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