£2m robata grill restaurant to open in Manchester this spring

Meaning to ‘ignite flame’, Mosu will take its inspiration from the izayaka alley bars and restaurants that line the backstreets of Japan’s major cities and will open in Barton Arcade Deansgate on the site of the former Circle Club, described by the restaurant’s owners as the perfect ‘backstreet alley’.

The 70-cover restaurant and late-night lounge is said to be focusing on bringing the authentic taste of Japan to the north of England and will feature an open kitchen, a robata grill that uses Japanese binchotan coal, and a sushi counter.

There will also be a bar area and separate lounge that will stay open until 4am, an operating period ‘offering something a little different to the Manchester market while reflecting the feeling of Tokyo after dark’, according to the restaurant.  

The menu will comprise grilled meats, fish and vegetables as well as sushi made from British seafood as well as from daily imports direct from the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo.

It will focus on traditional Japanese elements ‘fused with an elegant twist where refinement rules over invention’.

The interior will feature dark wood paneling, exposed brickwork, large hanging wooden lighting and dark furniture.