On Monday 25th April, multi-award-winning KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar opened its fourth restaurant at 134 High Street, Solihull.
The former Café Rouge site, which had been closed for nearly 2 years, is set to blossom again following a major redesign by Cheltenham-based architects, Q&A Interior Design Ltd, and a colourful and eye-catching installation of Japanese golden acers by Warren Bushaway of London Event Florist.
Taking guests on a culinary and sensory journey to Japan, new KIBOU Solihull is a feast for all the senses. Exuding glamour, the design mixes opulent, lush fabrics and traditional Japanese block prints with exotic geisha murals and uber modern projector animations, all created by talented Gloucestershire illustrator, Martyna Sabadasz.
Inside, the restaurant has been cleverly structured to create a range of intimate and chic drinking and dining areas. From the centrally located cocktail bar, the spacious restaurant featuring a range of table and booth seating, and the open sushi bar offering an enviable view of some of KIBOU’s most celebrated sushi being created by hand. With space available for both bookings and walk-ins, the 60-cover bar and restaurant also benefits from a further 25-cover Japanese-inspired terrace.
The menu at KIBOU Solihull continues the theme of lavish attention to detail, with work of art Jo Moriawase mixed sushi sharing platters , delicately hand sliced to order sashimi, traditional hand-pressed nigiri and signature sharing sushi rolls, such as KIBOU’s famous volcano roll. Alongside these you’ll also find a range of other classic and contemporary Japanese dishes, including 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.
To complement the restaurant offering, KIBOU will also feature a standalone cocktail bar serving signature Japanese-inspired cocktails, no-and-low options, an ambitious selection of Japanese whisky, sake and umeshu, Japanese brewed beers and authentic high-balls.
Commenting on the opening, Justin Davies, GM at KIBOU Solihull says;
“We’re tremendously excited to finally be able to open the doors of KIBOU and to welcome guests into the restaurant. Since the moment we announced that KIBOU was coming to Solihull, we couldn’t have asked for a better response. There’s a real feeling of excitement about the town at the moment, with some amazing new businesses moving here, and it’s great to be part of this development. From passers-by just popping in to say hello and to find out more about us, to the support of local businesses and organisations, we’ve been delighted by the enthusiasm and attention that we’ve received.
“With bookings already starting to take shape, the team, all recruited locally, are trained up and raring to go, and collectively we can’t wait to bring our vibrant and contemporary slice of Japan to this bustling, foodie hot-spot of Solihull.”
For more information about KIBOU Restaurants Ltd and the new site in Solihull, visit www.kibou.co.uk
(photos: Nic Crilly-Hargrave)