One of the most exciting openings this year
Cambridge counts many stunning buildings, and some of them are hidden treasures. The Grade 2 listed building of the Pittt Club on Jesus Lane is one of them. For quite some time, Pizza Express had one of their restaurants here. I have many happy memories here, not because of the food but because of the stunning venue. It closed a few years ago and has been empty since, but this will change soon!
A couple of months ago, I was pleased and excited to hear that the award-winning KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar was looking to open its fifth and largest restaurant at the Pitt Club in August. They have been expanding at a rapid pace their portfolio of premium casual dining Japanese restaurants, with venues already operating in Cheltenham, Battersea, Clifton, and Solihull.
The restaurant and bar at the Pitt Club will undergo a full redesign and refurbishment by Q&A Interior Design Ltd, creating a unique and eye-catching Japanese-inspired space that incorporates KIBOU’s trademark murals and digital animations, stunning Japanese floral and foliage installations alongside plush upholstery, iconic Japanese block print textiles and an eclectic range of wallcoverings.
The new 150-cover bar and restaurant has been thoughtfully designed to create three atmospheric dining and drinking areas, each with its own design footprint, but united by their overall appreciation of Japanese design and flair. Guests enter to an impressive cocktail lounge and dining area that also features an open sushi and hot kitchen, and a marble-topped cocktail and spirit bar. This leads to a large, light, and airy dining room, with tables arranged around the building’s existing ‘roman’ pillars, a central Japanese acer installation beneath an impressive skylight, and bespoke artwork featured on an array of mirrors throughout the room. A second dining room, also accessed off the central cocktail lounge, offers a more opulent finish, with rich, plush fabrics, deep tones, and dramatic low-lighting, to create a lavish space with secluded booths and more intimate dining opportunities.
A taster of the offering of KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar
The menu at KIBOU Cambridge will centre on the group’s beautifully presented sushi and sashimi sharing platters, including a 20-piece luxury ‘tokujo moriawase’, alongside signature sushi rolls, hand-pressed nigiri, and a range of other classic and contemporary Japanese dishes. Expect to find A5 grade seared wagyu served as a marinated tataki or a truffle-topped nigiri, crisp ebi (prawn) or vegetable tempura, steaming bowls of ramen, made with pork, chicken or vegan broth, traditional donburi rice bowls, and a selection of pillowy bao buns or handmade spiced pork gyoza.
The menu at KIBOU Cambridge will centre on the group’s beautifully presented sushi and sashimi sharing platters, including a 20-piece luxury ‘tokujo moriawase’, alongside signature sushi rolls, hand-pressed nigiri, and a range of other classic and contemporary Japanese dishes. Expect to find A5 grade seared wagyu served as a marinated tataki or a truffle-topped nigiri, crisp ebi (prawn) or vegetable tempura, steaming bowls of ramen, made with pork, chicken or vegan broth, traditional donburi rice bowls, and a selection of pillowy bao buns or handmade spiced pork gyoza.
Impression of the bar area at Kibou Japanese Kitchen & Bar
Catering to all Japanese food lovers and those eager to try Japanese cuisine for the first time, KIBOU’s diverse menu includes an extended vegan offering, a generous range of sharing plates, and an elegantly rich menu of Japanese-inspired desserts.
To complement the restaurant offering, KIBOU also features a standalone bar serving signature Japanese-inspired cocktails, no-and-low options, an ambitious selection of Japanese whisky, sake and umeshu, and Japanese-brewed beers.
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.
There is no fixed opening date yet for KIBOU. Make sure you follow our social media to hear the latest news. Make sure you keep space left in your diary for August, as they are aiming to open this month.
“Following the successful opening of KIBOU Solihull last year, we remain firmly focussed on expanding the brand over the next 5 years, with a further site already in the pipeline for 2023.”
The stunning location of KIBOU in the Pitt Club, the exclusive set-up of the restaurant and bar area, and the excellent menu are the ingredients for the perfect venue for a date night or meeting your friends and hosting your clients or team. KIBOU will undoubtedly be one of THE places in Cambridge to wow your guests.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KIBOU RESTAURANTS
Gerla
