Stepping inside Japonico, I could only think of the vibe as "urban cool," even with the red interiors dominating the space. Japonico is Gurugram's latest Japanese haven, and its ambience caters to a mixed demographic of guests. We were ushered to our table, passing by the long bar perfect to perch on for a post-work drink by yourself or for linking up with a date. The thumping house music with the open-fire cooking at the huge robata grill juxtaposes the interior's otherwise minimalist aesthetic. Sahil Sambhi, founder and CEO of Yuvi Hospitality, which operates Bawri and VietNom, has designed a bar cum restaurant dishing out some great contemporary Japanese fare with bits of Peruvian flair.

　　The Star Dish

　　The food menu, designed by Italian Chef Roberto Blondie, who has worked with the iconic Zuma London, manages to successfully marry fresh ingredients with the best of sincere Japanese and Peruvian flavours. Out of a variety of things we sampled, the one that stood out for us was the hamachi carpaccio. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the fish and the smokey umami flavours make it an excellent choice and the obvious favourite. I have tried some stellar salmon carpaccio before, but the explosion of flavours that Japonico's star dish made me experience was quite simply unmatched.

　　What’s More?

　　The menu at Japonico is an elegant mix of contemporary Japanese flavours. It's inventive but also doesn't stray too far from its roots. Besides the carpaccio, the spicy tekka hako zushi is another great order for the table. We kept popping the bite-sized spicy rolls into our mouths and experienced something new with each bite. A potential party crowd favourite would be the mushroom, truffle and cream cheese tacos. Crunchy, convenient (if you're not in the mood to sit down), and full of flavours, we finished these at an alarming rate.

　　For the Peruvian hits, the corn ribs with a smoked paprika butter glaze offered a good break from the umami flavours with its fresh, buttery sweetness. The grilled oyster mushrooms were perfectly chewy and smokey, while the shitake salad was a great fresh start to the intense meal.

　　Japonico also aced its dessert selections, and my sweet tooth was immensely satisfied. We had the Instagram-worthy dessert platter, recommended for a group of four to five. The chocolate fondant, tiramisu, fresh fruits and sorbets were a symphony of well-balanced sweetness, with the fluffy Japanese cheesecake and panna cotta being instant hits.

　　What To Sip On?

　　The cocktail menu of Japonico is fascinating, to say the least. Designed by Japonico's beverage custodian Jeet Rana, the menu has been fashioned after an imagined character named Kaito Sakamoto. The delightfully creative menu book reads like a 3-D manga with illustrations and little snippets of the character on each page, following an immersive narrative of his journey, with each chapter unfolding with a unique flavour profile.

　　Not a mere collection of drinks, this menu embodies the essence of Kaito's story with traditional Japanese elements like sake, yuzu, and matcha mixed with global influences, creating a line of bold and innovative artisanal cocktails.

　　The welcome drink, The Humble Beginnings, with fermented fruit wine, sparkling sake and vodka, impressed me so much that I ordered the full glass later. Another drink we ordered was the slightly spiced Golden Harvest, with tequila, green yuzu kosho and guava saccharum. For coffee lovers, The Struggle's Shadow is a nice take on the espresso martini, but with whiskey topped with a delicious sesame cream foam. Pheonix Flame, another tequila-based concoction with bell pepper and the earthy flavour of spirulina, will appeal to people who want to try something different.

　　Vibe Check

　　Designed by Freddy Birdy, Instagram's beloved wordsmith, the space's appeal lies in its darkly stylish vibe, which draws in sit-down dinner guests and dance-the-night-away party people with equal fervour. I could picture bringing my group of girlfriends for a much-needed mid-week drink and dine session or even coming here on my own for a post-work drink. The outdoor seating area looks over the metro trains and the Gurugram skyline and is a good spot for a first date, while the inside vibrating with groovy beats is recommended for a second or third date. Although open for lunch from 12 pm to 4 pm, Japonico's true personality is best experienced after sundown. Located on Gurugram's Golf Course Road, Japonico is easily accessible by car.

　　Final Verdict

　　With its impeccably crafted cocktails, food that never misses on flavour and freshness and prompt service, Japonico is definitely a "Top Eats."