hôntô

hôntô is a stunning, black, moodily-lit Japanese restaurant and bar hidden away in a Fortitude Valley back street, with a secret door entrance next to a furniture loading dock behind The Wickham Hotel.

Those who manage to find the door (adjacent to the massive Matt Blatt sign) enter through a winding black tunnel to come out the other side into a minimalist black-walled space unlike anything else in Brisbane.

Featuring a raw dining bar, open chef kitchen and a spacious dining room itself with stunning chandeliers suspended over tea-lit tables, hôntô also has an intimate dim-lit bar tucked away to one side near the entrance.

Just like the venue, the creative menu, which takes traditional dishes and reimagines them using local produce, is unlike that of any other Japanese restaurant in Brisbane, starting with 'Bites' like Steamed QLD Scallop, Kombu Batā & Tobiko; Tuna Tostada, Cultured Cream & Bottarga; or Potato Crisp, Whipped Bonito & Sesame Crunch.

Best shared, the menu consists of Raw, featuring dishes like Snapper, Citrus Ponzu & Grapefruit Kosho; White Fish Tacos, Wasabi Mayo & Ikura; Wagyu Tartare, Smoked Kohlrabi, Crispy Shallot & Toasted Shokupan; or daily sashimi selection.

From the grill there’s divine dishes like Miso Glazed Toothfish, Wasabi Mint Salsa & Toasted Walnut Cream; Pork Katsu, Karashi, Smoked Tonkatsu & Sesame; or Wagyu Brisket, Tomato Soy, Green Onion & Pickled Daikon.

There's a also a selection of Sushi like Aburi Salmon Nigiri, Kabayaki & Wasabi Salsa; Tempura King Prawn, Fermented Chilli Mayo & Avocado; and Braised Shiitake, Smoked Daikon & Asparagus.

For sides, there’s Braised Teriyaki Cabbage, Smoked Soured Cream & Wakame; Heirloom Tomatoes, Grapefruit & Shiso Vinaigrette; as well as Grilled Mushrooms and Spinach, Tare Glaze & Miso Tofu Cream.

Lastly, dessert options include Shiitake Caramel & Chocolate Ice Cream Sando; Szechuan Pineapple, Matcha & Coconut Sorbet; and Matcha and Chicory Soft Serve Swirl.

Can’t decide? Then there are two banquets showcasing the best of the menu = either 8 or 12 courses.

Meanwhile, hôntô's intimate whiskey, sake and cocktail bar is where diners gather for a drink whilst waiting for a table but it’s worth a visit even if you’re not planning to dine. Behind the bar is a stunning backlit whisky wall featuring hundreds of bottles of Japanese whisky, many of them that you won’t find anywhere else in Brisbane.

The unique artisan cocktails feature ingredients like volcanic black salt, blueberry infused sake, charred pineapple, shiso, peach shochu or chocolate chilli liqueur and wasabi-infuses Australian cane spirit and have names like Showdown at House of Blue Leaves and The Man from Okinawa.

An exhaustive list of whiskeys are served neat, on the rocks or highball and include Suntory, Hibiki & Chita, Taketsuru Pure Malts, Coffey Whiskies, Ichiro’s Malts, Mars Shinju as well as Yamazaki Distillery, Yoichi and Miyagikyo Distillery.

There’s also an extensive array of American and Scottish whisky, a smattering of Australian/Canadian and Irish whisky and an impressive selection of Rum, Tequila and Vodka from around the world.

Beer drinkers will find Asahi Super Dry or Pal Mel’s Pale Ale (Vic) on tap and a range of Japanese bottled beer and cider.

And wine drinkers can choose from a 40-page menu of especially selected wines from around the world that complement the food.

Good to know - hôntô is brought to you by the canny folk behind another James St favourite, sAme sAme.

The menu may have changed since our visit

A full list of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane HERE