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| It's easy to imagine Yamato Japanese Restaurant being situated in the heart of contemporary Tokyo. There is real sense that this harmonious haven of eastern delights is the real deal. But to see the real deal and be it are different things altogether. Restaurants capitalizing on the blossoming craze for sushi and sashimi are to be found all over the country, and many manage to communicate a feeling which is perceived as authentic, but few live up to the promise. |
| Yamato is something else and the tasteful Tokyo minimalism is not merely a facade. It is the Johannesburg restaurant for diners who hope to experience the best iterations of known and loved Japanese dishes as well as the place to open up to a much wider spectrum of rare and authentic delights. |
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Yamato
196 Oxford Road
Illovo 2196
Johannesburg
Tel : +27 (0)11 268 0
Fax : +27 (0)11 268 0
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| 'Yamato' is an ancient term for Japan, and, while this may seem slightly incongruous with the obviously contemporary ambiance, it is rather an indication of the approach to the food. An approach invested with all the mastery of the time-honored traditions of Japanese culinary arts. Naturally, sushi and sashimi are at the top of the list of marvelously crafted morsels of joy. |
| Delectable favorites like maki and nigiri sushi come in a variety of wondrous incarnations, each immaculately realized and presented with a flair for balanced beauty. Perhaps a few individual pieces are a an ideal prelude to the rare and enthralling delights of an authentic shabu-shabu hot-pot. But to fully experience the diverse talents of Yamato's kitchen it is probably best to opt for a set menu. You can always order a tempting side of tempura or one of the attractively presented sushi boxes. |
| The set menus range from the likes of the Tuna Platter which boasts the finest grade tuna in the form of sashimi, maki sushi and a tekka hand roll. If you're looking to mix it up a little, the house set menu offers a meal of miso soup, sushi, tempura and the famed chicken teriyaki. |
Those who find themselves choosing from the a la carte menu will be spoilt for choice. From the simple pleasure of Oshinko, Japanese pickles, to the delightful ramen and udon noodle dishes, a world of pleasures is be found outside of the sushi box, so to speak. The Miso Cha Shu Ramen is a special treat combing the novel pleasure of those thick udon noodles with pork broth, all crowned with succulent slices of floating pork. It is a must for lovers of hearty soups with magical textures and tones.
Whether a noodle course and side or two from the wide world of self-contained dishes is enough for a whole meal really depends on whether you can turn down a speciality like Donburi Mono. This splendid seafood hot-pot is the kind of authentic dish which is rarely found in western restaurants. Don't forget to leave room for at least one mouthful of something from the dessert menu. The Green Tea Ice Cream is marvelous in its cool, creamy subtlety. |
| During your meal you might well find yourself ordering a few glasses of saki. At Yamato the saki is far more than an evocative complement to the mise en scène, but of the authentic regional variety which requires deliberate tasting and supplies warm glows generously. |
| For further adventures in Japanese beverages, you might like to sample one of the very fine Japanese beers. Of course, Yamato also has a wonderful wine list. In fact, Cristina Sato, the multi-talented and ever-present owner, has been known to create dishes to suit the nuances of certain wines. As such, those who are likely to head to the wine list after a single ceremonious saki, will find it both exciting and extensive, offering bottles which stand proudly on their own as well as those which will work with the subtleties of each delicacy. |
| Few of Yamato's unexpected and rare morsels would be discovered were it not for the exceptional staff and their detailed knowledge of the cuisine. You certainly won't have to limit your choice to the few dishes you know. A friendly face will be close by to guide you through the options and, in all likelihood, supply a bit of history about the dish itself. |
| Yamato's combination of contemporary Japanese elegance, great service and the superlative culinary creations, have earned it considerable praise. Since opening in the trendy suburb of Illovo in 1995, it has earned recognition throughout South African as one of the best of all restaurants, and is certainly considered the premier Japanese eatery. |
| Recently it has featured on Wine Magazine's Top 100 Restaurants, as well as in their top 10 smart-casual dining experiences. The respected Eat Out publication has bestowed Yamato with the People's Choice Award and American Express has officially recognized it as one of the world's Fine Dining Restaurants. All the great reviews and awards are hardly as creditable a measure of authenticity and quality as the Japanese business clientele who can be found enjoying Yamato's fine fare all year round. |
| Whether you're looking to find a tasty morsel of the most exotic variety, or simply looking to enjoy the kind of magnificent sushi which can only be crafted by a master of the art, then Yamato is the place to transport you from the south of Africa to a land of magical pleasures. |
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