A new "high end" Japanese restaurant is to open in Manchester from a team of experienced hospitality operators from across the city. MUSU is set to launch in October on Bridge Street, at the site of the former Randall & Aubin restaurant.
Bosses say MUSU will "bring something very different to the city – a new breed of restaurant that offers both the pinnacle of fine dining and a totally immersive experience". Visuals have been released today of how the restaurant will look when it opens on October 6 after a multi-million pound investment.
It will boast a vast onyx and brass bar, plush dark woods and green leather booths. There are three video walls, while they say tables will "transform" into cocktail booths at night to create a "day to night experience".
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The Japanese word MUSU translates as “infinite possibilities,” which the owners say encapsulates the ethos of the venue from its menu to its interiors. The food will be "contemporary interpretation of Japanese dishes" from chef Patron Michael Shaw, formerly of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and more recently at the acclaimed White Hart at Lydgate.
He has spent the last 18 months honing his passion for Japanese cuisine, with all the precision, skill and flavours that entails. The result will be a tasting menu concept designed to deliver a "multi-sensory dining experience".
Divided into three sections, Sentaku allows guests to choose their dishes from each section of the menu to suit their own personal taste preferences, while Kaiseki is a set menu curated by Michael that comprises seven and eleven course options which together provide the guest with a balanced choice of the seasonal menu.
Finally, Omakase means entrusting the chef to create the perfect menu. At MUSU this translates into a theatrical and educational sushi experience, which they say will be "the only true one of its kind outside London". Served to guests at the six-seat Omakase counter, this will be presided over by Head Sushi Chef, Andre Aguiar, himself trained by renowned Japanese Sushi Master Yugo Kato.
Complementing the food and drink, the entire space is set to follow the clean lines and precision associated with Japanese design. MUSU will boast multi-million-pound interiors, with bespoke Italian furniture, subtle mood lighting and bespoke wall designs.
MUSU is the creation of two of Manchester’s most experienced hospitality specialists - Vincent Braine and Marius Kamara whose past credits include venues such as Suede, The Milton Club and Dive Bar & Grill. Working alongside Vincent and Marius in the capacity of Operations Director is former Living Ventures boss Danny Fox.
They say the MUSU experience will unfold as soon as guests walk into the bar area, which is dominated by a statement bar made from Dekton stone, brass and onyx. This leads through to an open kitchen, located in the centre of the restaurant and designed to look like a luxury residential kitchen.
There is also a private dining room which can accommodate up to 14 guests and can be completely separate or adjoined from the main dining room. Separated by a glazed telescopic wall, the latter can be frosted at the touch of a button to deliver total privacy.
Within the private dining room is one of MUSU’s three video walls which can be used for visuals, presentations and ambient backgrounds. The venue has a full theatre production setup, while the booth tables can “transform” into cocktail-style tables, to create an environment focused on late night entertainment rather than formal dining later into the evening.
The new restaurant, just off Deansgate, is set to host a soft launch before formally opening to the public from October 6.
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