A traverse to the 90's Tokyo through Japanese Izakaya curated by Minus Workshop
When our needs are more than just solving hunger, eating is a kind of respect for life. Culture and mood should be the focuses of the restaurant design. Diners will be amazed by fulfilling various senses but not only the appetite. For that reason, Minus Workshop hopes you will enjoy reading the concept of creation as much as the guests in Yamaichi Izakaya.
The founder of Minus Workshop, Kevin Yiu, is the storyteller who recounts the nostalgia of an Izakaya inspired restaurant. The story starts from the open entrance focusing on the floating sphere counter in red that people cannot resist exploring the inside. Yiu puts cinnabar red and ink-black scenes on this bright white canvas as Yamaichi Izakaya is nearly 2300 sq ft. located next to an ice rink illuminated by a frozen like environment in Lohas Mall of Hong Kong. Additionally, a menu drawer cabinet in various Japanese red beside the station is one thing your eye is drawn to. When the trays are randomly collected, it really nails down the interesting layered colour combinations. Not only the welcoming arrangement coordinating with the concept of the Japanese Izakaya, but there are also more to drive you into the story of the traverse.
Yamaichi Izakaya aims certainly to brings people into the exotic scenario. The transition from the arrival is a row of banquette seats inspired by the Torii gate. Each seater owned its privacy by hanging down the drape either open arm to welcome the food. Its tableside provided storage for menus and condiments. A glass screen with the pattern of washi is used to avoid the gaze of passersby. Walking pass the corridor, a fish fin-streamline glass partition displays seasonal sakes regarding the concept of Izakaya.
Ingeniously combining Yiu's concept story of a spectacular journey back to the golden era in the 1990s of Tokyo. The fancy metropolitan scene is a given impression to all. The neon light signage first comes to sight for added vibrancy. But when discovering the inner culture, the uniform system of Pragmatism is used throughout the fixture modules. However, the whole dining experience is not limited to visuals. Lounge music is infused with the rigid sound of the traffic light to create alignment with the concept.
Meanwhile, the guests have already immersed themselves into the flourishing Tokyo vibe. They will be welcomed by a sashimi and grill bar at the venue's main area, assembled with a collage of marbles like the playful, energetic tangram. The bar is transformed into a stage for those who craving luscious dishes during the delightful cooking performance.
As the Lohas Park district is a residential area for young families, Yiu brings a virtual aquarium to the place to flex the creativity that engage in conversation between the family. The sparky fish formed by uncountable LED lights has reached the pinnacle of the story. Plus, the seabream details that you may have already noticed throughout the entire restaurant.
The aesthetics of Yamaichi Izakaya is inimitable with a sense of youthfulness through a series of artwork - Japanese swords, a fan in resin art, Edo Uchiwa-shaped decorative pieces and the stencil of Geisha in kimono created by local and overseas artists. In addition, you can find Kumiko inspired checker patterns are extensively used on the chair fabric and the Japanese signature Tatami texture inserted on the wall panel—every single exquisite detail speaks. Yiu’s portfolio reveals a strong affinity for culture and storytelling in design narrative.
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