While casual, no-need-to-dress up restaurants are a dime a dozen in Sunnybank and surrounds (not that that makes them any less delicious), more sophisticated eateries are rare—a hole which Juju Bar & Dining is here to fill. Bringing refined vibes to Sunnybank Hills, this stunning restaurant and bar is the kind of spot you'll want to get a little fancy for, and perfect for your next date night, or even catch up brunch.
The newcomer features two starkly different seating areas: a dimly lit 70-seat dining space outfitted in dark wooden furnishings, black leather banquet seating and smokey pendant lights hanging from the ceiling, and a 25-seat bar area with a grey and marble bar and light wooden high tables. You can opt to start in one area and finish in another, or just stick to either, with a snack menu available at the bar for light nibbles, a set menu on offer in the restaurant, and cocktails aplenty available in both.
This isn't just an evening venue however—after taking a few months to settle in and find their stride, Juju has also now introduced a weekend brunch menu which is unlike anything you'll find anywhere else. Head Chef Andrew Birse, who previously worked at Montville's The Long Apron, Arc Dining and e'cco bistro, has curated a selection of dishes that will have you rethinking your usual breakfast, including a pork croquette sandwich with fried egg and katsu sauce, an octopus cabbage pancake with poached eggs and green chill, and brisket fried rice with kimchi and a fried egg. Special mention also has to be made to Toybox Coffee Co who are supplying the beans for those necessary caffeinated brews—it's just not brunch without coffee.
The rest of the menu takes Birse's traditionaly trained French cooking style and infuses it with Asian elements that borrow heavily from Japan, Korea and China. On that bar snack menu you'll find the likes of crispy potato and nori, brisket fried rice, kingfish tartare with green chilli and pumpkin seeds, and asparagus with sweet potato and savoury doughnuts, perfect for sharing over a drink or three.
If you’re ready to settle in for a feast, the main dining menu is also designed for sharing. Eat your way through dishes like fried quail with watermelon and cucumber, lamb ribs with burnst soy, ginger and relish, and an egg salad with shokupan toast fingers that had us just about licking the bowl clean. The pinnacle of the mains menu is the suckling pig with pickled chili, but the wagyu with kimchi and charred onion might also catch your attention. Don't go overboard though, as you'll want to leave room for desserts like the sake crème caramel or peach and almond tart with cream cheese and tea glaze.
As much attention has been given to the drinks as the food, so you should definitely combine your meal with a few boozy sips. The cocktail you’ll see everyone downing is the Momo The Geisha, a concoction of gin, peach liqueur, cold brew oolong tea and syrup that comes served in a tiny teapot, a range of cocktails, but there’s no bad choices here. A decently-sized list of wines and whiskies round out the offering.
JuJu Bar & Dining is currently open for dinner and drinks from Tuesday to Sunday and brunch Friday to Sunday and you can find all the details here.
If you want to slice it up for date night, this new Valley spot is dishing up god-tier pizzas.
Image credit: Juju Bar & Dining