RND

In our opinion, a city can never have too many secret seaside izakayas—so we’re pretty happy to welcome RND into the fold.

Dreamt up by the Raw Bar crew, RND (an acronym for “Raw Next Door”) operates out of neighbouring Harry’s Bondi just three nights a week (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). To accommodate RND’s Japanese sensibilities, Harry’s has been given a slight glow-up, like timber door frames and exposed concrete.

Behind the menu at RND is Jack New, who headed up the kitchen at Edition Coffee Roasters, as well as another secret Japanese spot tucked away at the back of a poke bowl bar in Woollahra called Izy Izakaya.

With a Japanese meets Bondi mindset, standouts on New's menu include a lobster tempura sando with yuzu slaw and fermented chilli mayo, karaage chicken with ginger dressing and black garlic aioli, crispy rice with spicy tuna tartare, and then overnight master stock pork belly skewers with sweet, sticky glaze and yuzu kosho mayo. 

“We wanted the food to reflect the location and the Aussie lifestyle so many people have come to love in Bondi. Think traditional Japanese flavours with a fun twist,” New said in a statement.

The wine list has been pieced together by General Manager of Raw Bar and now the new GM of RND, Karl Misch.

"There is a range of wines on the list at RND, chosen to appeal to our broad range of customers and with a focus on Australian growers, you’ll find naturals like the Unitus Tasmanian Field Blend and the Pet Nat Mut from Marion’s Vineyard or richer, more full-bodied varietals like the Sigurd Syrah,” says Misch.

There's also a range a fun, fresh, vibrant cocktails like a tequila, watermelon and mint-based drink called "The Spicy Pink". 

Image credit: Kitti Gould