The 99 KO Bar
They had been turning the idea around for several years and it was this month of April, in which the moment of opening has come and no one better to carry out the new project, like the Chef David Arauz , with more than eight years of experience leading the group.
And it has been in a very special place, located on the ground floor of the hotel -although it has nothing to do with the hotel- in a business, commerce and leisure area. It arises from the question: What was Madrid missing? A sushi bar in the purest Japanese style.
But what is 99 KŌ? It is the ultimate sushi bar . The one in which she and the sushiman are the protagonists, thus giving special value to those who work behind her and who creates an immersive experience with the client, and most importantly, giving dinner to just 16 diners per service. It is something exclusive, with products of the highest quality, coming from all over the world.
Traditional or new? "Both. On the one hand we are doing something super traditional in Japan, and on the other, it is something very new for the city of Madrid. There is nothing like it”, says Arauz.
Without a doubt, to set up something so specific, you need the backing of a strong group, and it is none other than the bamboo group , creator of the 99 Sushi Bar brand, very powerful on a national level and making its mark on an international level with the opening of its first restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
99 KO Sushi Bar Cocktail Bar
let's see more . As we said, they only accept 16 people at the bar and another 10 more in a booth with a vertical garden. At the moment, and as they have just opened, they are starting with about six or ten people, bearing in mind that behind the bar there are only David and Hector.
Y what do you eat in 99KŌ? Two tasting menus. one with the name of Omakase and the other kaiseki, different in number of passes and prices.
Both start with hot cuisine, similar to what you can find in the 99 Sushi Bar, with elaborate broths, good recipe books, etc. To finish this part, they introduce a soup, in the Japanese way. Then comes the sushi festival , where fish, rice, touches of soy and other dressings are the protagonists. It's like eating two menus in one.
The menus are changing, but we can tell you some bites. One of them, a Gunkan of bull, marrow and caviar, or what is the same, a portent and a delicacy. another, a otoro nigiri (tuna belly) burned with binchotan wood, a Japanese firewood that is cut from artisanal wood, or the last nigiri on the menu, of which Arauz is especially proud: “We call it edo mai sushi and is prepared from lotus root, ume and sisho . Taking this step of getting out of the everyday, for me is like a revelation and if we remember, the Edo period It was a revelation, very much in keeping with the sushi we prepared.” Now they eagerly await the arrival of blue fish like bonito , to include it in your snacks.
Every bite here has a meaning . "We want the customer to feel cared for at all times, we explain everything we serve, what do we mean by each bite, and all of them always have a story behind them”, points out David Arauz.
With what attitude do you go to 99KŌ? “ With the maximum of enjoyment. The difference with other restaurants is that you're not alone here, you find it entertaining, you see the sushiman working, you interact... You have to let yourself go and above all, you have to trust me”, responds Arauz.
You won't leave this bar without a perfect Japanese experience
We cannot forget the beverage offer, which ranges from wines to sakes , through champagnes or craft beers. At its head, Andrés Palomo, advised by the General Director of the Group and Sommelier Monica Fernandez . They have incorporated the option of pairings or being able to have exclusive drinks thanks to the Coravin system. How about having the meat dish with a glass of Petrus? Impressive and now, possible.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
They also have a lounge space to wait while you have a drink and a terrace for smokers in their particular Japanese garden located at the entrance.
WHY GO
If you are a sushi enthusiast and you miss the way of eating it in the bars of Japan, this is the closest thing you will find in the capital. It is pure luxury and exclusivity.
Address: Marques de Villamagna, 1 See map
Telephone: 914 313 878
Schedule: Lunch from Monday to Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and dinner from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Half price: Omakase menu 110 euros. Kaiseki menus 165 euros.