The Secret Izakaya

@ The Grapes Pub, 14 Westgate Street, Bath, BA1 1EQ 

On Saturday we were lucky enough to be invited to the Secret Izakaya Supper Club above the recently renovated and reopened Grapes pub.
We arrived early so we could have a drink and soak up the atmosphere of the pub.  It was buzzing with activity and a good crowd of people were in.
We were not sure what to expect, but were really looking forward to the experience as we love Japanese food.
Ellie the landlady and our host, took a group of 8 of us upstairs into the stunning dining room (that is also a yoga studio during the day).  The room was so beautiful, with a Jacobean ceiling still in tact.
We were seated at a large dining table, with a menu for us to devour.  The selection was just perfect, and we were given some sake and pickled cucumbers to nibble on whilst we were given an overview of the Izakaya and the food on offer from the chefs Dave and Suze.

Everything is prepared in the kitchen to the side of the main room, and is all cooked/prepared freshly for each course.  Our first couple of courses were sashimi based, and had the most fantastic flavours, complimented perfectly with Dave's choice of sake.  To kick things off we had Komu-cured Sea Bream Tartare followed by Shime Saba (mackerel sushi) two ways, raw and seared.

Between courses we had fantastic tasting dishes of soy marinated mushrooms, miso green beans and spicy tomatoes, all a sensation on the tongue and a freshener before the next course.

Next we had Miso and Sake Mussels, Chicken Karaage and Spicy Miso Ramen - I was fit to burst but had to squeeze everything in as the flavours were so stunning.

The dessert of Soba Cha Pudding was also delicious and rounded off the meal perfectly.
There are plans for the Izakaya to have a permanent home upstairs in the Grapes from November, called Budo Ba, with plenty of small dishes prepared right in front of you, with choices of Japanese beers, Sake and Shochu.  We can't wait!