KŌ BY 99 SUSHI BAR

KŌ by 99 SushiBar, the new concept from Grupo Bambú, the company behind the successful 99 Sushi Bar, is located on the tenth floor of the Bernabéu. This spectacular 600 m² space, equipped with a terrace offering the best views of the Real Madrid stadium and a truly luxurious interior design, is a must for the most exclusive leisure activities in the capital.

This innovative izakaya is the gastronomic heir to 99 Sushi Bar, maintaining the Japanese essence and excellence in the selection of raw ingredients, although its approach is more contemporary and designed above all for sharing. Noam González, who worked for years at 99 Sushi Bar and was second head chef at Saddle, is the executive chef in charge of the culinary side of the project.

Exquisite Japanese cuisine with new creations and classic dishes
The menu at KŌ by 99 Sushi Bar is undeniably Japanese, and the pantry plays an important role. As in all Grupo Bambú establishments, the restaurant works with the best national and international suppliers to ensure the highest quality ingredients. Among the starters, there are some striking dishes such as the okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza) with truffle and jalapeño emulsion, along with various types of gyozas (the wild boar with beetroot dashi is a must) and oyster no. 3 with yuzu foam and pearl. They also offer a selection of tartares (such as sea urchin and smoked caviar or wagyu on bone marrow) and carpaccios, such as shrimp (a visual and sensory spectacle) or hamachi (yellowtail) with ponzu. And of course, sashimi to enjoy the best seafood and premium caviar. The Imperial Moriwase, with 32 cuts, or the sea urchin, with its deep umami flavour, are essential. The menu also features a variety of tempuras: the tiger prawn tempura, a signature dish at 99 Sushi Bar, is a must-try, along with others such as king crab with ponzu and truffle béarnaise sauce or sea urchin tempura with egg yolk and shiso.
As you would expect, KŌ by 99 Sushi Bar offers delicious sushi, with the restaurant's signature balance between modernity and tradition, with different types of gunkans, nigiris (warm and cold), and maki sushi. Among the must-try dishes are the scarlet prawn hosomaki with fresh wasabi and crispy garlic, the 99 Jewel maki with bull and caviar, and the king crab, ikura, and sea urchin futomaki, which is umami and is set to become a staple of this establishment.
In the main course section, the robata, or Japanese grill, plays a prominent role, with dishes such as free-range chicken robata glazed with Gochujang honey and jalapeño emulsion, or Atlantic sea bass with white miso and mojo sauce. Meat lovers will enjoy the finest cuts, such as Wagyu Kagoshima A5 or Miyazaki A5. There are also seafood options, such as the exquisite black cod. A selection of rice dishes and salads completes the offering.

An exquisite wine cellar, premium spirits, and the finest wines
KŌ by 99 Sushi Bar has an exclusive wine and spirits cellar. In fact, its selection of Japanese sakes and whiskies is among the best in Madrid, with some real gems. It has a Catalan sake and almost 30 select labels from different regions of Japan, such as Iwa 5 (Toyama) and Suginomori Narai Black Junmai Daiginjo (Nagano). The wine list, with more than 250 wines, has been designed by Mónica Fernández, director of Grupo Bambú and one of the country's most outstanding sommeliers, who has received awards such as the National Gastronomy Award for Best Maître d' in 2016 and the Prix au Sommelier (Best Sommelier in the World) from the International Academy of Gastronomy. Fernández has created a list featuring both Spanish and international wines.

There is an interesting selection of wines by the glass, almost 30 in total, including Spanish and French reds, whites, sparkling wines, and rosés, along with a section dedicated to Spanish fortified wines and sweet wines from Spain, France, Hungary, and Portugal. There is also a wide range of wines by the bottle, with Spanish labels and the best-known designations of origin in red, white, sparkling, sweet, and fortified wines. There is also plenty of space for the most famous châteaux in France, alongside Hungarian, German, and Argentine wines.

In a setting perfect for enjoyment, the best mixology also plays a prominent role. In addition to the great classics, KŌ by 99 Sushi Bar offers a range of signature cocktails, ideal for enjoying with the menu or on their own. Three of them are specially designed for aperitifs: Zen (spiced rum, amaretto, yuzu juice, and thyme syrup), Last Samurai (reposado tequila, Junmai sake, and umeshu), and 99 Spritz (Dreamy Clouds sake, vodka, Aperol, chamomile syrup, and champagne). And for any time of day, combinations such as Wasabi Sour (Kobe fat, wasabi, washed tequila, Angostura bitters, and egg white) or 99 GT, based on Roku infused with watermelon and double cream clarification.


Stunning interior design
The space, with a capacity for 99 diners, has a main room, two VIP rooms that can be reserved, and a beautiful terrace with unique views of the majestic Bernabéu turf, which will be the sensation of the capital's summers. The decoration and interior design are an ambitious joint effort by Fernando and Pedro de León, the heads of Grupo Bambú, and Jaime Castañeda, the group's international CEO and one of the creators of the concept, together with the brothers. The trio, who already worked on the 99 Sushi Bar restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, have created an absolutely spectacular interior,
In keeping with the magnificence of the Real Madrid stadium. High-quality materials have been chosen to clad the interior, with an emphasis on natural materials—excellent stones and woods from around the world—and designer lamps to create warm and welcoming lighting. Dark tones, so typical of Grupo Bambú, predominate, with gold details contrasting with lighter tones.

In fact, one of the most striking features is the stadium columns, several of which run through the restaurant. The premises are crossed by several of them, which have been covered in gold paint, giving the restaurant great character. As in other Grupo Bambú establishments, Flower Soul is responsible for the restaurant's small gardens, featuring preserved natural plants such as moss, maple, ferns, and natural logs. On the floor, alongside elegant designs, the cracks filled with gold paint catch the eye. This is a nod to Kintsugi, the Japanese technique of repairing ceramic pieces with the rare metal.


KŌ BY 99 SUSHI BAR
Address: Bernabéu Stadium – Entrance on Calle Padre Damián 3 (door 39)
Opening hours: from 1:00pm to midnight, Monday to Sunday
Average price: £125
Website: www.ko-99.com
Instagram: ko_by99madrid