NIPO brings Japanese-Brazilian cooking to the Quayside

There's a new name on Newcastle Quayside. NIPO opened its doors last week, after a launch night for invited guests, and ChronicleLive went along for its first weekend.

The idea comes from the Japanese-Brazilian community around São Paulo, and the menu runs from sushi to steaks. The dishes getting the attention:

• Costela NIPO: slow-cooked, fall-apart beef rib on mash made from mandioca (the root veg also called yuca), with gravy and pickled shallot. A sharing dish from the "Fire & Feast" section.
• Fillet tataki: lightly seared beef with ponzu, a citrussy Japanese dressing, a little chilli and sesame.
• A sushi bar next to the drinks bar, with its own page on the menu, plus veggie nigiri and noodles.
• Pavlova with Brazilian passion fruit to finish.

Cocktails include a Japanese Old Fashioned and a silky Yuzu & Ginger Martini. Head chef is Connor Marley, and founders Rodrigo Grassi Duarte and Howard Eggleston also run Rio Brazilian Steakhouse.

Good to know: NIPO is at 95 Quayside. Its own site lists noon to 9pm Monday to Thursday, noon to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8pm on Sundays, and you can book online.