Sydney Welcomes An Elite Three-Level Japanese Dining Precinct Next Month
โ€” 26 September 2024

Sydney Welcomes An Elite Three-Level Japanese Dining Precinct Next Month

โ€” 26 September 2024
Garry Lu
WORDS BY
Garry Lu
  • Prefecture 48 arrives with the lofty ambition of delivering an entire countryโ€™s culinary essence in the form of six unique venues.
  • Azabu Group has assembled a heavyweight lineup for each of P48โ€™s venues: ranging from Derek Kim (Tetsuya) and Akira Horikawa, to Tomoyuki Matsuya (Kame House) and Aoife Noonan.
  • This hotly anticipated hub, located on Sussex Street, is set to open on October 11th, 2024.

Australiaโ€™s travel-to-eat crowd will no longer have to fly 10 hours for an authentic (and comprehensive) taste of Japan. Theyโ€™ll just have to hang around Sydney CBD.

Itโ€™s all thanks to Azabu Group which, after three years of enlisting world-renowned culinary artists, is preparing to launch its most prestigious project to date with Prefecture 48 (โ€˜P48โ€™).

RELATED: These North Shore Restaurants Serve Some Of Sydneyโ€™s Best Japanese

In a nationwide first, Sussex Street is welcoming a three-level dining precinct that boldly claims to cover all 47 prefectures of Japan โ€” it bills itself, somewhat wryly, as โ€œthe 48thโ€ โ€” via six vital organs: four restaurants, a patisserie, and the virtually obligatory whisky bar, housed entirely in a heritage-listed Victorian warehouse.

Along with beverages curated by the award-winning The Maybe Group (of Maybe Sammy fame), true to the Japanese hospitality groupโ€™s promises, itโ€™s certainly shaping up to be an โ€œorchestraโ€ of culinary delights.

Prefecture 48 Sydney's Elite Three-Level Japanese Dining Precinct

Each venue showcases its own distinct character, drawing inspiration from the โ€˜Floating Worldโ€™ or Ukiyoe โ€” โ€œa theme that epitomises the refined lifestyle of Japan during the Edo periodโ€ โ€” and are as follows:

  • Garaku (Kaiseki) 
    Led by ex-Tetsuya Executive Head Chef Derek Kim
    โ€œThe headliner for P48 โ€” an exquisite theatrical Kaiseki dining experience, with every dish an artisanal interpretation of the four seasons for a truly enchanting moment.โ€
  • Ibushi (Robata)
    Led by Executive Chef Takashi Yamamoto & Head Chef Chris Kim
    โ€œThe vibrant and energetic robata within the precinct, paying homage to the lively Tokyo street and social gathering spots after dark.โ€
  • Omakase
    Led by Omakase sushi master Akira Horikawa (Ginza Kyubey) & Tomoyuki Matsuya (Kame House)
    โ€œA luxurious and most exclusive intimate eight-seated venue, truly heroing the exceptional cuisine for โ€˜one bite magic.โ€™ This venue will also have a rotation of celebrated guest chefs.โ€
Prefecture 48 Sydney's Elite Three-Level Japanese Dining Precinct
  • FIVE 
    Led by Head Chef Hiroshi Manaka, ex-Charlotte Bar & Bistro (Azabu Group)
    โ€œModern European reimagined with Japanese finesse, experienced the five core elements expressed in the menu: taste, colour, cooking, moderation, and senses.โ€
  • Whisky Thief (Whisky Bar)
    Curated by The Maybe Group
    โ€œExclusive bar captives both seasoned whisky enthusiasts and newcomers alike, along with creative cocktails to impress every palate. With bottles hidden in secret spots and bathroom doors, a (secret) solid gold skateboard, itโ€™s more than just a bar.โ€
  • Dear Florence (Patisserie)
    Led by Executive Pastry Chef Aoife Noonan
    โ€œNamed after the Founderโ€™s daughter, this patisserie is more than just delectable creations of cakes, chocolates, and souvenirs, but a connection between father and daughter.โ€

RELATED: Bill Murrayโ€™s โ€˜Lost In Translationโ€™ Travel Guide To Japan

โ€œPrefecture 48 is a once-in-a-generation hospitality experience that invites Sydney and Australia to fully immerse themselves in the culinary and cultural marvels of all six venues which will launch cohesively on the same day,โ€ said Celine Tran, Azabu Group Director of Operations.

โ€œOur team has meticulously curated the finest aspects of Japanese tradition, transforming them into a unique experience that both locals and international visitors can savour and take pride in.โ€

Prefecture 48 by Azabu Group officially opens its doors on October 11th, 2024. To learn more, or secure a booking, head to the website below.


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Garry Lu
WORDS by
After stretching his legs with companies such as The Motley Fool and the odd marketing agency, Garry joined Boss Hunting in 2019 as a fully-fledged Content Specialist. In 2021, he was promoted to News Editor. Garry proudly retains a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, black bruises from Muay Thai, as well as a black belt in all things pop culture. Drop him a line at [email protected]

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