Iku Yakitori

Ph: (03) 9380 4027; 139 Sydney Rd, BRUNSWICK 3056

japanese, $ -
Open mon-Thu 6pm-late fri-sun 5.30pmlate; Licensed, BYO, Corkage $3 bottle; AE DC MC V EFT

Mietta's Review
Very much Sydney Rd's take on Japanese - smart, modern at aimed at the new, young, population of Brunswick. Trendy decor, Japonesque food, loud music and low prices.

Other published opinions

The Age Cheap Eats 2008 "Traditional Japanese with a Beyonce soundtrack? 0h yeah - it works! R&B grooves blend well with the sunken horigotatsu seating and a snack-and-sip dining approach"

The Age Cheap Eats 2007 "A lacquer-red and charcoal colour scheme, low tables, tatami mats and a smoky atmosphere (cooking happens behind the bar) are the backdrop for Iku's skewered and grilled selection."

The Age Cheap Eats 2006 Despite the Bombers colour scheme, iku Yakitori is just like a traditional izakaya, where Japanese salarymen go for a drink and snack. The tatami mats and smoky yakitori grill are all authentic, but fortunately there's a space for your legs under the low tables

The Age Cheap Eats 2005 "SUNKEN tables and pebble gardens nod to the traditional, but the bold red-grey decor and Moby (rather than twanging koto tunes) coming through the speakers give it a modern edge."

The Age Cheap Eats 2004 "THIS joint aims to capture the fun side of Japanese culture, and it beats sitting in language classes. Beneath calligraphy scrolls, you settle on cushions at lacquered pine tables lowered in conversation pits"

The Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, 21/7/02. "This new yakitori restaurant stands out like a New Age crystal on what is still a rough diamond on a strip."