A new Japanese bar in Gurugram offers cocktails and cuisine with a side of storytelling

A new Japanese bar in Gurugram offers cocktails and cuisine with a side of storytelling

Most office spaces on Gurugram’s Golf Course Road appear dull and dreary after dark. But, if you look closer, you may stumble upon a treasure chest on its premises. Japonico, housed in Vipul Tech Square, is just that. 

Yellow-toned signage catches your attention on the ground level. Until then, you have no clue what lies in the Japanese bar-cum-restaurant. A wooden elevator opens up to reveal the 160-cover space. The brain behind Japonico, Sahil Sambhi (of restaurants Bawri and VietNom fame) joined hands with restaurant designer Freddy Birdy to create the contemporary Japanese bar. “Japonico was conceived to be a hip and modern Japanese concept like Nobu, Zuma and Roka, where the look and feel is as important as the cuisine,” says Sahil. 

Japonico has three sections, each distinct. While the robata area with long tables is suited for group dining, the cocktail space has a stainless steel bar and a long DJ table where guests can dine. There’s also immersive electronic art in the bar. The outdoor deck, adjoining the bar area, offers inspiring views of Gurugram’s skyline and is ideal for pleasant evenings. With retractable sliding doors, the deck and the bar area can merge into a single space. 

The beverage programme, curated by mixologists Jeet Rana and Chirag Pal, focusses on anime storytelling. The cocktail menu, fashioned like a book, takes you through the journey of a mythical character, Kaito Sakamoto. From his beginnings as a farmer to moving to cities, and reaching the pinnacle of his ambition — every drink reflects a chapter in his story.

I start with the Humble Beginnings — a blend of in-house fermented fruit wine with melon and pear, sparkling sake, and vodka that pays homage to Kaito’s modest-yet-vibrant roots. Its sweet-sour taste is easy on the palate. 

The next drink, The Legacy is an elevated and fruity rendition of martini. It has a mix of gin and vodka, fat-washed with truffle and infused with wasabi and passion fruit. It comes with various accompaniments — Tobiko caviar, pickled radish, and olive, adding texture and flavour to each sip.

A good coffee cocktail is always welcome. Japonico offers something beyond the conventional espresso martini in The Struggle’s Shadow. With Johnnie Walker Black Label, single-origin coffee, and coconut and sesame cream as its primary ingredients, the balance of hot and cold flavours makes it a comforting companion.