If you’ve been to Portside Wharf lately, you may need heard the distant calls of ‘irasshaimase’ ringing by the air or, maybe, picked up the scent of skewered morsels scorching on a binchotan grill. Follow the sounds and smells to their supply and also you’ll uncover Bird’s Nest’s brand-new yakitori bar. The group behind the favored Japanese-inspired eatery fired up its white-charcoal grill final month, not solely becoming a member of Portside Wharf’s 2023 glow up, but in addition heralding a interval of development for Bird’s Nest itself.
Over its ten-year lifespan, Bird’s Nest Yakitori Bar has grown by measured increments. It first debuted in West End in 2013 earlier than opening a second location in Fortitude Valley three years later. Fast ahead to 2019, the group launches express-service idea Bird’s Nest On The Run at Toowong Village, which is then adopted by an enlargement of its Fortitude Valley premises in 2021. The reputation of the Bird’s Nest product – its conventional charcoal-grilled yakitori, Japanese-style street-food dishes and suite of uncommon sakes – meant that house owners Emi Kamada and Marie Yokoyama might have in all probability pulled off opening a brand new Bird’s Nest outpost yearly or so. But location is every little thing – generally you’ve acquired to attend for the correct match. When Portside Wharf got here knocking to see if Emi and Marie could be concerned about opening their fourth Bird’s Nest location as a part of the waterfront precinct’s $20-million reinvigoration, the proposal made a variety of sense. Bird’s Nest opened at Portside Wharf in September, following scorching on the heels of fellow newcomers Fosh, Rise Bakery and Rosé Gelateria. The group reduce the ribbon on an intimate 100-sqm house (envisioned by Clui Design and constructed by Lowry Group) boasting a luxurious aesthetic – assume red-leather banquettes, red-velvet curtains and a neon-lit again bar, plus a scattering of alfresco tables outdoors. A standard binchotan (white charcoal) grill takes satisfaction of place on the kitchen window, the place expert palms fan flames and evenly shift skewers till completely cooked.
These binchotan bites ought to, undoubtedly, be the primary port of name for any Bird’s Nest newcomer. Each morsel is served delightfully smoky and succulent, be it Jack’s Creek wagyu steak, slow-braised pork stomach, Atlantic salmon or grilled complete squid – all of it will get the identical type of flame-licked therapy. Bird’s Nest’s vary of basic skewers can also be nicely price investigation, notably the crispy hen pores and skin, hen meatball and zucchini with soy butter skewers. These are greatest loved with a serve of pan-fried pork gyoza, kari kari cheese (crumbed and fried melting camembert) and sticky wings or, if the uncooked bar part is looking, an assorted sashimi platter. Familiar Japanese dishes like stir-fried yakisoba, jumbo octopus-filled takoyaki, katsu curry bowls and scorching garlic rice additionally characteristic, as do a clutch of desserts (be sure you attempt the houjicha ice-cream, made by Gelateria Cremona in Rosalie). As for drinks, Bird’s Nest Portside is absolutely equiped to concoct basic and signature cocktails (together with the plum wine-infused Umenegroni), dispense beers (Asahi Super Dry is on faucet), pour wines and serve sake (250-ml jugs, 1.8–l bottles and tasting flights available).
Bird’s Nest Yakitori Bar is now open at Portside Wharf. Head to The Weekend Edition’s Stumble Guide for working hours and menu particulars.
Jump to subsequent article
