NIPO serves up ‘fire, flavour and generosity’

Japanese precision is meeting Brazilian flair on Newcastle Quayside with the opening of a new restaurant concept.

NIPO has officially opened its doors following a VIP preview attended by almost 100 guests, bringing a new Japanese-Brazilian dining experience to the city.

Created by the team behind RIO Brazilian Steakhouse, the restaurant combines Japanese cooking techniques and ingredients with the flavours, warmth and hospitality of Brazil.

Its menu is centred around sushi, robata cooking and dishes designed for sharing, complemented by a drinks selection that continues the Japanese-Brazilian theme.

Robata-grilled steaks range from ribeye to A5 Wagyu sirloin, served alongside Maldon salt, wasabi, house-seasoned fries, NIPO salad and ginger rice.

Other dishes include miso kuro cod, slow-cooked lamb shank and Nihon lobster, alongside sushi, Japanese-inspired plates and a dedicated selection of vegan and vegetarian options.

Meanwhile, the bar offering includes cocktails such as the Yuzu & Ginger Martini, Japanese Old Fashioned and Spirit of Uji, NIPO’s take on the growing popularity of matcha.

Leading the restaurant is general manager Goran Natev, who brings experience from London’s premium hospitality sector.

Goran said: “There was a real buzz in the room during the VIP launch, and seeing people experience NIPO for the first time was fantastic.

“There’s a huge amount of energy behind the concept, but ultimately we want that feeling to continue every time someone walks through the door.

“We want NIPO to be somewhere you come for a special occasion, but equally somewhere you can come with friends, order a few things for the table, have great cocktails and make an evening of it, that sense of warmth and generosity is really important to us.”

NIPO takes its name and inspiration from ‘Nipo-Brasileiro’, meaning Japanese-Brazilian, reflecting the longstanding cultural links between the two countries.

São Paulo is home to one of the largest Japanese communities outside Japan, with NIPO drawing on that connection to bring together Japanese craftsmanship with Brazilian flavours and hospitality.

And head chef Connor Marley, who secured the role following a high-pressure cook-off that attracted 128 applications, says the menu has been shaped around discovery, conversation and bringing diners together around the table.

Connor added: “We wanted the menu to feel exciting from the moment you start exploring it, Japanese cuisine has such an incredible respect for ingredients and precision, while Brazilian food brings this amazing sense of fire, flavour and generosity.

“The challenge and the really exciting part was finding the point where those two worlds meet.

“We’ve got sushi, robata, premium steaks and seafood, but there are also plenty of dishes that people can get stuck into and share around the table.”

The launch night brought together representatives from Newcastle’s business and hospitality communities, alongside media and influencers, for a first look at the venue.

NIPO is now open to the public, adding a new flavour to Newcastle’s bustling Quayside dining scene.

To book, click here.

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