Neutral Bay institution The Oaks has teamed up with iconic Japanese beer Kirin Beer to stage a unique pop-up designed to recreate a Sakaba (an informal Japanese Bar). The temporary takeover has shaped the space into a vintage Japanese garden with traditional lanterns, bamboo archways, and decorative bonsai trees (including an LED cherry blossom tree installation) and will be in place from now until August.
Traditional rice paper screens have been used to separate the space into cosy private pods within the bar space, inspired by the attention the detail Kirin are known for in their approach to brewing, which is the ‘First Press’ (or ‘Ichibahn Shibori’ method). The unique brewing process Kirin employ makes use of pure flavoursome lquid that is drawn only from a single pressing of fine local ingredients, resulting in the rich, fresh beer that the pop-up will be pouring up alongside other Kirin brews and ciders (think Kirin mulled apple cider).
Celeb chef Danny Russo has been tapped to design the food offerings for the pop-up, crafting a selecting of Japanese eats using natural ingredients to complement the balance and pure taste that’s central to Kirin’s philosophy. The limited edition bar menu features a number of Asian-fusion dishes like Karaage Chicken with chilli aioli, Soft Shell Crab Sliders, Japanese ‘Loaded Fries’ with teriyaki salmon, crispy onions, nori, pickled ginger, and cheese, and great big Pork Katsu Burgers with teriyaki and nashi pear slaw.
Kirin Sakaba Pop-Up @ The Oaks
When: 8th June until 21st August
Where: 1936 Bar at The Oaks; 118 Military Road, Neutral Bay
Website: oakshotel.com.au
Images supplied and used with permission.
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