GRILLIANT NEWS: YATAY CHOOSES CHINATOWN LONDON FOR DEBUT RESTAURANT IN THE WEST END

Shaftesbury has announced that Japanese robatayaki grill restaurant, Yatay, has selected Chinatown London's 22 Wardour Street for its debut London site, and is set to open later this year.

The brand's Chinatown London restaurant will span 3,900 sq ft over three levels, with each floor having a distinct feel and offer. The ground floor will be centred around Yatay's charcoal-powered robatayaki grill, offering street food inspired Japanese dishes including over 20 different preparations of chicken yakitori, and sharing cocktails.

Yatay's first floor will seat up to 50 guests in a more traditional dining setting, dubbed the 'Izakaya Sake Shop'. Here customers will be offered a range of sharing plates, including exquisite Japanese delicacies from a traditional robata charcoal grill. The menu includes fried gyoza, tempura vegetables, Asian salads, pickles, and more, all carefully selected to pair with a bottle of sake or Japanese sangria.

The basement at the Chinatown London venue will be home to the brand's late-night bar inspired by 'roller zoku' - Tokyo's underground street culture - offering a homage to Japanese craft beverages. The bar will sit alongside the record room, containing a DJ booth with music from London to Tokyo, and a host of genres to suit each group's individual taste.

Julia Wilkinson, Restaurant Director at Shaftesbury, commented:'Chinatown London reflects trends and traditions from across the entire ESEA region; Yatay adds to this with its unique take on what is culturally relevant in Japan today. Like the recently signed Kiwa Sushi & Grill, Yatay has a distinct identity, and these two concepts complement each other well, highlighting the variety of flavours and items a chef can create using a robata grill.'

Andy Cook, Co-Founder and Head of Culinary at Yatay, added: 'Inspired by the streets and the underground culture of Japan, we are delighted to be bringing this unique and delicious offering to London for the first time. With its world-renowned status and commitment to championing authentic Far Eastern cuisines and culture, Chinatown London was the first, and only, location on our list - there is nowhere else we'd rather launch our dynamic and multi-faceted experience in the capital.'

Camilla Topham and Disrtkt represented Chinatown London. DCL acted for Yatay.

Further information can be found @ChinatownLondon and www.chinatown.co.uk

ENDS