Simple joy of great food

CULTURE BENDER: MED AND ASIAN BLEND TO A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE The style is tapas, the atmosphere gentle and the tone trendy and tasty.

And this month, Joburg welcomes a hot new dining spot to its streets. Ukkõ – a stylish Mediterranean tapas and sushi restaurant with a wine and mixology bar. The restaurant brings a sense of tranquility and style to the upmarket Nicolway Shopping Centre through soothing natural elements and design.

Ukkõ is the brainchild and latest solo venture of seasoned restaurateur Mun Manal, who has been in the restaurant industry for over 22 years (previously operated Mezepoli and Plaka Group).

Ukkõ gets its name from “Ukkonen”, a Finnish mythology reference to the god of the sky, weather, harvest and thunder. In the same mythology it was customary to come together and consume food and alcoholic beverages as a sacrifice. The celebration was believed to guarantee good weather and harvest for the year ahead.

The symbol, which is an “anchor-looking hammer” represents the weapon Ukkõ, used to strike lightening.

“The name Ukkõ is an extension of the idea of a space where people come together to celebrate special moments,” says Manal.

The eatery promises a unique dining and culinary experience, with memorable service and a perfectly balanced tapas style offering. The dishes are prepared with quality ingredients, meticulously put together to deliver mouthwatering flavours, paired with the finest South African wines and crafted cocktails.

On the menu, discover the signature Mediterr-Asian Raw Bar, offering salmon, tuna and beef as a crudo, as well as tataki, and Peruvian ceviche.

The tapas-style serving is a focal point, and well-crafted to cater for all pallets through extensive offerings of Mediterranean small dishes – such as Fish and Prawn Croquette, Roasted Bone Marrow Pangrattato and a gorgeous Onion Bloom. Asian influence dictates the sushi offering on the menu with a modern twist, teriyaki brushed, ponzu drenched and with a torch-seared finish.

At the mixology bar look out for the signature cocktails. There’s the aptly named Akka (female deity of Ukkõ), featuring vodka, strawberry and rose essence and lime, as well as Ether (god of air), eaturing gin, fresh passionfruit, elderflower, prosecco and aromatic bitters.

The restaurant’s interior has a modern Med-Asian feel, with warm wood tones and natural stone finishes, in a relaxed setting, giving the space a cozy yet trendy feel that transports you to a tranquil space.

Ukkõ is the perfect place to share the simple joy of great food with family and friends.