OPENS 2020
The smaller of the two new restaurants that Alan Yau is opening on the Isle of Dogs in 2020, Yau Grilling will offer intimate Japanese-inspired counter dining both to residents and non-residents of the brand new Wardian high-rise in which it will be housed. Very little else is known about either of Yau’s new restaurants, other than their location within this luxury apartment development, but knowing the Hong Kong-born restaurateur’s talent for creating era-defining new eating concepts, we’re sure the hotly-anticipated details will follow soon enough.
Yau is best known as the founder of the Wagamama chain, though he was also behind the critically acclaimed Hakkasan, as well as Yauatcha, Park Chinois and the popular Thai chain, Busaba Eathai. Judging by these huge names, and plenty more in his portfolio, it’s extremely likely that Yau Grilling (and Chyna – Yau’s other restaurant due to open within Wardian next year) will prove as successful from the off.
No menus have been released yet, but if Yau is anything like Hakkasan and Yauatcha, it will offer contemporary Asian cuisine with an emphasis on grilled meats and fish. We imagine there’ll be plenty of premium shellfish available – the luxe location is something of a giveaway – which will probably be joined by rare beef such as Wagyu. This is all speculation, but seeing as Yau described his approach to the larger of the two restaurants as “what I would put together if you were coming to my house for a dinner party”, we’d be surprised if we’re too far off the mark.
Meanwhile, Yau plans to move his fast-casual restaurant Yamabahçe from its current location near Bond Street to Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush next year too. Whether Yau is trying to build his own empire in London remains to be seen, but we wouldn’t be sorry if he did. We’ll keep you posted.