KIBOU is open now!
On Monday 7th August, multi-award-winning KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar opens its fifth and largest restaurant in Cambridge. Located at the former Pizza Express site of the characterful Grade II listed building at 7a Jesus Lane, home to the Pitt Club, the restaurant benefits from a major redesign by Cheltenham-based architects, Q&A Interior Design Ltd, alongside the creative talents of Gloucestershire illustrator, Martyna Sabadasz. Incorporating KIBOU’s trademark murals, stunning Japanese floral and foliage installations, iconic Japanese block print textiles and an eclectic range of wallcoverings, the restaurant glamorously displays an artistic appreciation of Japan within chic and decadent surroundings.
Cleverly structured to create a range of intimate and individual drinking and dining areas, the restaurant includes 2 main dining rooms; the Mirror Room, bestowed with colourful, reflective murals positioned around a central Japanese cherry blossom tree, and the Oak Room, which includes a large, eye-catching wisteria installation and a vibrant digital animation display. The central area of the restaurant also includes an open sushi and hot kitchen, cocktail lounge area, additional seating, and a standalone spirits bar.
The menu at KIBOU Cambridge continues the theme of lavish attention to detail, with work of art mixed sushi and sashimi sharing platters, including a 20-piece luxury ‘tokujo moriawase’, and premium A5 grade Japanese Joshu wagyu, alongside a range of other classic and contemporary Japanese dishes. Expect to find steaming bowls of ramen, made with pork, chicken or vegan broth, crisp tempura, a selection of pillowy steamed bao buns and handmade spiced pork gyoza. Catering for all Japanese food lovers and those eager to try Japanese cuisine for the first time, KIBOU’s diverse and contemporary menu also includes an extended vegan selection and an elegantly rich menu of Japanese-inspired desserts.
The bar offering at KIBOU includes a range of signature Japanese-inspired cocktails, no-and-low options, an ambitious selection of Japanese whisky, sake and umeshu, Japanese-brewed beers and an extensive fine wine list.
Commenting on the new site, Ellie Banfield, General Manager at KIBOU Cambridge says;
“We’re so excited to finally be able to open the doors of KIBOU, and to show residents and visitors to Cambridge all that we’ve been up to behind the scenes at Jesus Lane. The venue has had a total transformation, and I’m loving seeing people’s first reactions when they step into the place.
“I’ve also loved the enthusiasm and support that we’ve had during the run-up to opening, both from prospective guests, and from the new team that we’ve hired from the local area. Like me, they’re just bursting to see the restaurant now in full swing, and to bring our vibrant and contemporary slice of Japan to this bustling city.”
One of the two stunning restaurants at KIBOU Cambridge by Nic Crilly-Hargrave.
Jay Roehl Manglicmot, Senior Head Chef adds;
“We can’t wait to bring our flavour of Japan to Cambridge, and to discover which dishes are most popular here. Our menu includes a wide range of classic and contemporary Japanese dishes, each served from a dedicated hot or sushi kitchen. From our labour of love ramen, which we simmer for hours for that signature umami-rich, heartwarming broth, to our A5 Joshu wagyu beef, which we source directly from Japan’s Honshu Island. As a team, we’re passionate about sharing our love for Japanese food, and alongside our main menu, we’ll
Sushi platter at KIBOU Cambridge by Nic Crilly-Hargrave.
Commenting on the new site, Sam Horswill, Joint Managing Director at KIBOU Restaurants Ltd says;
“We’re so excited to bring our brand to Cambridge and to open what will be our largest site in such an iconic and impressive building. We’ve long set our hearts on operating here, it’s spot on to our core demographic, so when the right site came along, we knew it was time.
Over the last few months I have been working closely together with the marketing team of KIBOU on the opening of this stunning restaurant in Cambridge and it is truly a stunning location. Definitely, a restaurant and bar to impress your guests!
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Gerla
