New Kid on the Block: TYO

Chef Yama Sun brings Tel Aviv sushi to a new level

Photo courtesy of PR
Photo courtesy of PR

On the corner of Montefiorie Street, an unassuming facade welcomes one of Tel Aviv’s newest and poshest restaurants: TYO (as in, the airport code for Tokyo).

Once inside, diners are actually transported, both in atmosphere and taste to the Far East. Hailing from Japan byway of New York, TYO’s master sushi chef Yama Sun earned his chops working at the NYC celebrity-studded Moto restaurant.

Photo courtesy of PR
Photo courtesy of PR

Thankfully for Tel Aviv, he married an Israeli and had two children. Now his artistic, colorful creations grace the plates of TYO, including delectable options like the seared salmon sashimi on ice, foie gras and caviar atop prime cuts of bright red, raw tuna and plump yellowtail and jellyfish nigiri. Sushi rolls arrive artfully arranged on wooden blocks and for those who want to dive right into the main, cooked dishes, the black cod and filet mignon are equally supreme – both offering rich, mouthwatering flavors in their own right.

Housed in a Bauhaus building designed by Yaron Tal (of Google Israel fame) TYO switches from restaurant to lounge bar in a snap, upping the nightlife ante with specialty cocktails and pulsating music after 23:00.

Photo courtesy of PR
Photo courtesy of PR

The big bosses have their fare share of nightlife experience under their belts; they collectively own some of Tel Aviv’s most popular hot spots, including the Derby Bar and Zamir nightclub.

With TYO, they have winningly created a fusion of complementary interests with sky-high standards: high end food and a well-heeled crowd with a late night option for Tel Aviv’s nocturnal set. The elements are set to be nothing but successful.

7 Montefiore St, Tel Aviv. 03-9300333