Baltic Outlook December 2018 | Page 146

PROMO Dining / December Publicity photos COD Robata Grill Bar Japanese fine dining Cocktail art COD is complemented by a separate lounge area where award-winning bartenders fuse Japanese-influenced style with a strong foundation in classic cocktails. Ranked among the top 30 Baltic restaurants by the White Guide Nordic, a prominent gastronomy guide in northern Europe, COD Robata Grill Bar is the first restaurant in Latvia offering authentic high-end Japanese cuisine. 144 / airBaltic.com A true fine-dining establishment, COD is the brainchild of people who will settle for no less than perfection. Brand chef Uvis Janičenko – who was trained at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant RyuGin by one of the best chefs in Japan, Seiji Yamamoto – has created a menu that is contemporary yet true to the cornerstones of tradition. The ethos at COD is based on high-quality ingredients, pure flavours, and a simplicity that borders on minimalism at its finest. The restaurant specialises in robata-grilled dishes and also offers an exquisite sushi menu, with a selection of signature maki rolls that are different from the common westernised style. Vital elements for a completely authentic experience are sourced in Japan – from ingredients such as fresh wasabi, yuzu citrus, and sakura flowers to ceramic tableware. The embodiment of Japanese culture can be witnessed on all levels at COD. The restaurant is by no means flashy; instead, it’s a discrete haven, almost unnoticeable from the street. With a sophisticated minimalist interior created by talented local artists, the restaurant demonstrates a refined sense of aesthetics and lets guests enjoy its comfort and relaxing vibe. Looking in from the outside, you won’t see much behind the darkly tinted windows and heavy wooden block of a door. You will guess and wonder and be invited inside for a journey into a different world – a unique dining experience delighting all the senses. Tērbatas iela 45, Riga Open: Mon–Thu: 12.00–23.00 Fri–Sat: 12.00–01.00 cod.lv The elegant and welcoming bar is not a mere addition to the restaurant but a place to visit in its own right. With a gently lit lounge interior, the bar has a unique ambience of its own and provides a perfect backdrop for enjoying a relaxing and refined evening. Cocktail craft is taken as seriously here as the approach to cuisine. The cocktails are designed using only the highest quality spirits as well as homemade infusions and seasonal ingredients. Some drinks find their inspiration from classic cocktails, though a signature touch is always added. For instance, COD’s twist on a dry martini uses a blend of gin and sake and is garnished with a cherry blossom – an intriguing cocktail with a delicate and simple presentation but a complex flavour profile. The bar regularly hosts special events, inviting some of the most renowned bartenders and industry professionals. Representatives from the World’s 50 Best Bars list frequent COD with masterclasses and guest shifts, offering a unique opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the most refined aspects of cocktail culture. Alongside the cocktails, the drinks menu is created in unison with the restaurant’s cuisine, serving an extensive selection of premium sake, shochu, Japanese whiskies and craft beers, while not missing out on high-quality wines as well. The drinks are selected specifically to match the restaurant’s dishes and do not overpower the subtle flavours of Japanese cuisine but rather highlight them and bring the overall dining experience to completion. Baltic Outlook / 2018 / 145