Kyoto Kitchen Winchester prepares for official launch

Kyoto Kitchen recently moved from Parchment Street to the former Bridge Street House, in Bridge Street.

After having a 'soft launch' owner Miff Kayum and his team are preparing for an official launch in the coming weeks, featuring a VIP guest. 

Mr Kayum said: “The official launch is yet to happen. We're going to have a VIP guest for the official launch in due course. We had a soft launch with friends and family to test things. 

READ MORE: Kyoto Kitchen prepares for soft launch of restaurant in Bridge Street

“We're a small business so everyone in the team worked really hard to move everything from Parchment Street. They have been involved in the whole process.”

Despite this, Mr Kayum described some of the problems the team faced. He said: “This building doesn't look attractive from the outside, it looks very shabby. But I fell in love with the place as soon as I walked through the doors. 

“We completely underestimated the amount of work involved, but that's just the nature of old buildings in Winchester. 

“We reached as far as we could in Parchment Street. The space was limited so our chef couldn't fulfill his potential there. 

“The chefs were literally stepping on their toes, so it has been essential to increase that space. 

SEE ALSO: Kyoto Kitchen: Objections to restaurant's work in Bridge Street

“It has been a bit chaotic. But we've absolutely phenomenal support. Everyone has been so interested in the whole project and seeing the vision come together.”

The restaurant has already been attracting celebrity guests with Alresford resident and TV personality Jordan Wylie and actor Benedict Wong dropping by. Japanese footballer Maya Yoshida was a regular at Parchment Street when he played for Southampton. 

As well as the restaurant, six bedrooms will soon be available. 

A planning application for a new external linkway, re cladding, signage and internal remodelling and modernisation had received objections from some residents. 

On Wednesday August 9, it had received four objections and four supporting comments.

Simon Prutton, of Petersfield Road in Winchester, said: “I cannot understand why anyone would object to this application, aside from the usual nimbyism that comes with any planning application. The proposed changes are very much in keeping with the current architecture and it looks to me as though the new owner of the property is going out of their way to minimise the impact on the area visually.”

Kyoto Kitchen and Rooms will have its official opening in the coming weeks. 

For more details, visit: kyotokitchen.co.uk.