Neighbouring its sister restaurant Tokyo Tina, new dining room Tokyo Privateseats up to 28 guests and has been fashioned in the style of a luxe Japanese train carriage from the 1970s by Commune Group’s design team, Ewert Leaf.
A transformation of what was Commune Group’s office, the newly purposed space showcases curved joinery that cocoons an intimate burgundy room with walls dressed in oatmeal gathered fabric panels reminiscent of carriage window dressings. A bespoke 6.5-metre burl timber table takes centre stage, sitting atop a geometric patterned carpet referencing stops along a train line route.
Creative Director of Commune Group, Simon Blacher, says: “Private diners are usually an afterthought, tucked into secondary rooms upstairs away from the restaurant vibe. We have flipped the script on that and created a PDR that has its own identity, smack bang in the middle of Chapel Street. We hope it becomes a destination in itself. “
Revellers and sophisticated diners alike can call the dining room their own and receive the popular Tokyo Tina hospitality before kicking on with complimentary Karaoke. The renovation has included an additional kitchen space that allows the Tokyo Tina chefs to flex on the food offering.
The menu, which will change seasonally and is designed to share, caters to all dietary requirements.
Priced at $80 per person, the Tokyo Private menu is extensive, with hit dishes across snacks through to desserts. Dishes exclusive to the PDR include:
• Devilled ramen egg with spanner crab and avocado mousse
• Crispy rice cake with spicy tuna tartare
• Umeboshi glazed duck breast, confit leg, sesame mustard, citrus togarashi
• Whole steamed fish, bonito and dashi butter, wakame, sorrel
• A special Japanese honey cake ‘castella’/whisky creme and soy caramel
Those with bigger budgets can add on with cold seafood platters matched with cold Tōji Sake.
As for the drinks, there is a choice of Tokyo Private’s à la carte beverage menu by consumption, or curated beverage packages.
“Together with our mates from Ewert Leaf and Space Between, we feel like we have created a space and experience that is unique to private dining in this city. This project was a long time coming, but we are thrilled that our loyal regulars and new diners can settle in, get well fed and get loose,” says Simon Blacher.
Tokyo Tina Private is now taking bookings for November and December via email: tokyotina@communegroup.com.au or phone (03) 9525 2774.
Images: Space Between