The definition of Izakaya is a Japanese pub. The award-winning Amsterdam based Izakaya Asian Kitchen and Bar is located in the middle of the vibrant “De Pijp” area of the city and is housed in the Sir Albert hotel.
The restaurant concept was devised by Israeli born entrepreneur Yossi Eliyahoo co-founder of the Entourage Group. Eliyahoo has an established track record as an award-winning Hospitality entrepreneur who has revolutionized the Amsterdam culinary scene and has also made the first steps to take his brand global.
Izakaya has taken the traditional Japanese dining experience to another level. Experimental Japanese cuisine is given a South American twist. The bar also has an extensive menu of high-quality cocktails.
Chef Hariprasad Shetty from MOMO (the flagship of the Entourage Group’s restaurant business) has devised a delectable menu that features a variety of small, unconventional dishes and specialties of the Japanese Robata grill which is the Japanese version of barbeque.
This is fine dining in a relaxed, non-stuffy environment. The beauty of the menu is that you can choose from the wide-ranging small dishes, very similar to a tapas-style, or you can go for the full dining experience and select the Omakase Chef’s tasting menu. The small plates are great for sharing and also allow you to taste as many of them as you wish, experiencing many different tastes and textures.
The night we went to have the Izakaya experience, the bar and restaurant were buzzing. The crowd was young and stylish, all ready for a great night of fabulous food and cocktails.
Six of us were dining together, and it’s clear to see from the get-go that folk come here to see and to be seen. People watching is considered a social sport here. And be warned they are dressed to the nines — a congregation of the best most stylish folk in Amsterdam.
We ordered far too many dishes to name them all, each one equally as delicious as the one before. My favorite was the Pan-fried scallop served with a Yuzu truffle sauce, and also from the Robata, the Jumbo Shrimp served with spicy lemon was pretty special. The service was superb.
