Kenny Rens Is Woollahra's New Izakaya-Style Sashimi Bar and Restaurant

Variety isn't just the spice of life, as the old saying goes; it's also a necessity when it comes to grabbing a bite to eat. Even if you know what kind of food you're in the mood for, sometimes you're after something quick and tasty to devour with a cocktail in hand, and sometimes you want the full sit-down meal experience.

An izakaya-style sashimi bar and restaurant on the site of a former sushi train, Kenny Rens offers both for anyone keen for a feast of Japanese cuisine. Get comfy in the pink stone bar that takes up the front room, or settle in for a leisurely dinner out the back. Either way, prepare for an explosion of flavours courtesy of dishes prepared with authentic but not necessarily traditional methods in mind, cooked up on a robata grill, and accompanied by an extensive range of Japanese whiskeys to wash it down with.

From the selection of fresh sashimi and poké bowls, menu highlights include Balmain bugs infused with spicy yuzukosho garlic butter, plus scallops with white fungus, buttermilk, yuzu dressing and coriander oil. Those after something without seafood might be tempted by the wagyu tri tip with mushroom salad, amadare sauce, nama wasabi, garlic chips and baby shiso. As well as amber spirits, sake and a hefty wine list, the drinks range features signature cocktails such as the Akuma (with blood orange juice, agave, Suntory Hibiki distillers reserve and jalapeno) and the Cherry Blossom (with cherry brandy, orange curaco, lemon, grenadine and IWIA non traditional whiskey).

Opening on March 23 with 20 seats before expanding to 40 seats down the track, the bar and eatery comes from businessman Nick Diamond. He's brought on interior designer Paul Kelly, and together, they've drawn on inspiration from their travels in Japan to create this new venue. "Tokyo has an energy that is arguably unparalleled by any city in the world," says Kelly, who also took care of Kenny Rens' interiors and has worked on Sokyo, Black by Ezard and Salaryman. "I wanted to bring a touch of that excitement, quality and effortless innovation back to Sydney."

Find Kenny Rens at 146 Queen Street, Woollahra. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

UPDATE MARCH 30, 2017: This article initially stated that Kenny Rena was a joint venture, which was incorrect. The article has been updated to reflect this.