Robata Ramen & Yakitori Bar opens in Overton Square

Robata Ramen & Yakitori Bar, the latest venture by restaurateur Jimmy Ishii, has opened in Overton Square. Inside the historic Griffin House at 2116 Madison Ave., the restaurant is named after the Japanese word for “fireside,” and is an izakaya bar and grill serving kushiyaki skewers of grilled meat and vegetables, kara-age bite sized fried chicken, ramen noodle soups and other traditional Japanese items.
 
The Griffin House is the former home of John and Leighnora Griffin, longtime residents of Midtown even as Overton Square became a bustling entertainment spot in the 1970s. During the downturn in the Square, Mrs. Griffin’s roses continued to thrive on the white picket fence in front of her home. That fence, as well as other architectural nods to the Square’s heyday, can be found in and around Robata.  
 
The interior, with original hardwood flooring and windows, features a granite-top yakitori bar with a visible cooking area for customers to experience food preparation. Two large flat-screen TVs make it possible to watch the game from any seat in the house, and customers waiting for a table can enjoy the swings and comfortable lounge furniture on the front porch.
 
Ishii is generally credited with bringing sushi to Memphis and owns the popular Sekisui restaurants as well as others.
 
A typical Robata-style meal, usually shared by everyone at the table a la Spanish tapas, begins with delicately flavored appetizers such as edamame and cucumber sunomono salad then progress towards more robustly flavored items like yakitori grilled chicken, shishito Japanese peppers, grilled sardines and savory steamed clams. Concluding with a hearty noodle dish such as miso ramen or tonkotsu pork ramen, the fare is customarily enjoyed with Japanese beer or sake, although a full bar will be available.
 
Robata Ramen & Yakitori Bar is open seven nights a week from 5:00 pm to midnight. This fall, they plan to add lunch service Monday through Friday. 

By Richard J. Alley