The Clarence Team Is Doubling Down On Fish Lane With A New Japanese Grill

Since making the move from Wooolloongabba to South Brisbane, the Clarence team have fallen for the way of life on Fish Lane—so much so that they’re opening a new Japanese grill just a few doors down. 

Nitō translates to ‘two lights’ and is a nod to Two Lights in London which is where the OG crew of Ben McShane, Matt Kuhnemann and Zoe O'Mahoney first crossed paths. Nitō’s new head chef Max Burns also worked at Two Lights.

“In a lot of ways, [Nitō] is about bringing those relationships and experiences together with what we’ve built at Clarence, while making something that feels completely its own,” said McShane, whose experience in Japanese fare includes stints at Kiyomi, Sokyo and London’s two Michelin-starred Umu before Clarence. 

Nitō won’t try to pretend it’s an izakaya in Ginza. Instead, it’ll honour the restraint and craftsmanship that are the hallmarks of the cuisine, with a respect for ingredients and techniques without overcomplicating things. Throw in local produce and suppliers, and you have a distinctly Brisbane approach to Japanese cuisine. 

Image credit: Nitō | Supplied

The menu spans from raw seafood and snack dishes (hello potato mochi) to larger grilled plates with the likes of yuzu butter Murray cod, duck leg with claypot rice, and lamb shoulder with pickled wasabi cooked over charcoal. It’s the kind of offering that lends itself to ordering a little too much, with a dessert menu you can’t skip because where else is yuzu pavlova with cherry ice cream on the cards? 

There’s also a heavier emphasis on drinks than Clarence, with Japanese wines, sake and a highball program to suit the 70s-esque lounge vibes. “We want it to feel a bit loose and fun rather than overly polished or precious,” said McShane. 

Nitō is expected to open in early November, joining fellow Fish Lane newcomers like Asian brunch cafe Goodside, Brooki Bakehouse’s biggest-ever flagship, and luxury wellness destination The Bathhouse.