Ukkō – the latest addition to the Nicolway restaurant offering – is a stylish Mediterranean Tapas and Sushi spot with an extensive wine list and mixology bar in Bryanston. Ukkō will deliver a unique dining experience, set to transport you on a Mediterranean holiday as the team delivers perfectly balanced tapas-style dishes. The name Ukkō is derived from "Ukkonen", Finnish mythology referencing the God of the sky, weather, harvest and thunder. Ukkō possessed an anchor-looking hammer called Ukonvasara and it is believed that this weapon could be used to strike lightning.
As part of celebrating Ukkonen, it became customary to come together and consume food and alcoholic beverages as a sacrifice, in order to guarantee good weather and harvest. Accordingly, the Ukkō restaurant represents an extension of the idea of a space where people come together to celebrate special moments.
From the tapas menu, we enjoyed the chicken dumplings (R80) served with a gyoza sauce; as well as the wagyu tartar (R150) – smashed wagyu mixed with Spanish onion, caper berries, aioli and olives; and served with crunchy sesame crackers. If you're looking for a hearty vegetarian option, try the brinjal and feta salad (R95), comprised of baby spinach, heirloom tomato, chargrilled brinjal and feta. The sushi lovers will be impressed with the Roll and Rose (R185) – 8 pieces of rainbow roll and salmon rose, teriyaki sauce and spicy mayo. For dessert, you cannot go wrong with Ukkō's classic Tiramisu (R70) – coffee liqueur, mascarpone and savoiardi biscuits or the pistachio ice cream (R70) – vanilla ice cream rolled into crushed pistachio and chocolate fudge.
In terms of cocktails, there’s the aptly named Akka (female deity of Ukkō) (R110), made with vodka, strawberry and rose essence, as well as Ukkonen (Thunder), featuring tequila, gin, passionfruit, elder fruit, prosecco chocolate bitters and sweet lemon.
Visit Ukko at Shop U24, Nicolway Shopping Centre, Wedgewood Link Road, Bryanston or email [email protected].
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