Japanese restaurant opens in Dalston

From the team behind popular Hackney venues Brilliant Corners and Giant Steps, Mu is a new restaurant, bar and live music venue in Dalston. 

Founded by restaurateurs and music enthusiasts Amit and Aneesh Patel, the 120-cover venue is located on Kingsland Road. It serves Japanese dishes from its charcoal robata grill, alongside carefully curated natural wines and both classic and seasonal cocktails, together with live performances from some of London's most exciting musicians. 

The name, 'Mu', is inspired by the seminal album from legendary trumpeter Don Cherry. Live music is presented every night of the week at Mu, and currently encompasses atmospheric solo piano from Yohan Kebede of Kokoroko, free jazz from a network of London’s most accomplished improvising musicians, traditional Cuban music, Brazilian trios and folkloric Mande music from West Africa.

The kitchen team is lead by Duarte Loupa (formerly of Ginza Onodera and previously head chef of Brilliant Corners) and the floor team by Zoe Tigner (ex-River Café). Diners can enjoy a menu that blends quality British produce with traditional Japanese techniques. 

Small plates offered include mackerel with daikon and ginger, and scallops with yuzu koscho; while larger plates, such as nikiri-glazed tofu with wafu salad, daikon and carrot; cherry wood-smoked salmon teriyaki, junotoro and parsnip crisps; pork tonkatsu with white cabbage, pickles and brown sauce; hake tempura with wasabi and peas; and dry-aged Dexter beef rump and caviar, are also available. 

A bar snack menu is also offered, including a selection of skewers such as beef and shishito peppers, and traditional chicken yakitori, as well as Taiwanese fried chicken and popcorn shrimp with spicy mayo. 

The cocktail list has been created by Bryan Gaillard and Emanuele Liguori, both previously of the Edition Hotel. Japanese-influenced seasonal cocktails include the saketini, made with sake and a choice of vodka or gin, as well as a Jasmine old fashioned, which blends Suntory Toki whisky with real jasmine tea. 

A large variety of Junmai sake are on offer from producers who source organic rice and avoid recourse to adding sugar or alcohol during the production process. A wide selection ofmezcals are also available, by the glass and in flights, on top of an extensive wine list. 

You may also be interested in…