By the founders of Bone Daddies and Shackfuyu, Flesh & Buns (already in eight locations) recently launched its glossy Fitzrovia location. Here, the vibe is still izakaya casual, but with new Peruvian additions, including a press for pisco button and Nikkei elements on the menu, it’s a fresh take on the traditional Japanese pub offering. A pub, however, this is not; somewhere you’d come for a quick dinner and some after-work party vibes, this is.
Start with seaweed rice crackers and dips (the curry and nori popcorn looked good too), and move on to ceviches, tiraditos and rolls. The highlight here, naturally, is the ‘flesh and buns’ – so do try something smoked like the chilli-miso smoked brisket, served with baskets of fresh bao. The sides (including beef fat potato chips and veggie hot stone rice) looked interesting too. You won’t be bored with the menu here.
However, if you like to dine light, you might find the tempura a bit heavy, and anything fresh (say broccoli) usually comes with sauce. But navigate wisely, and you’ll be rewarded. Drinks have the fun factor – yuzu margs – and do push for a pisco. All and all, this is a fun night out for something quick, flavourful and easy. There seemed to be several large tables for groups, and we liked the wall of gold fortune cats.
