If you forced us to choose between Japanese and Mexican fare, we’d have a complete emotional breakdown. Such is our attachment to both cuisines that we’d be rendered incapable of making a choice. Thankfully none of you are evil enough to force this decision upon us, but a forthcoming Newstead nosh spot is removing the headache of choice entirely with an offering that fuses Japanese and Mexican flavours into one potent pan-Pacific powerhouse. Dos Manos is the newest concept from the crew at Icatha Hospitality Solutions and Grader Group, who earlier this year spearheaded the launch of new-age Thai eatery Som Saa on Reddacliff Street. The group has once again targeted the busy commercial strip for Dos Manos’ 62-seat location, which will boast a central sushi-train style nexus (ringed by stool seating), an open-plan kitchen, a cluster of cushy booths and table seating inside and out. Expect a light and bright colour scheme featuring plenty of white broken up by pops of orange, tiled walls and graffiti artwork.

Dos Manos has recruited the formidable talents of revered chef Angelo Sosa (formerly of Death By Tequila – named California’s Best New Restaurant in 2019) to help shape the Mexican side of the offering, with influences of Angelo’s Mexi-Cali style filtered throughout the menu. Signature items will include bite-sized mini tacos (made with gluten-free sweet-potato tortillas topped with the likes of ahi tuna poke and king crab with spicy aioli and avocado), tuna and crispy rice (tuna tartare on sushi rice deep fried and served with Mexican-spiced soy), guacamole made with an avocado and edamame bean mixture laced with jalapeno and yuzu salsa, and tacos filled with grilled black cod and king crab with bang bang sauce. Dos Manos will also stock plenty of craft tequilas and agave-infused signature cocktails, as well as bunch of traditional sake for sipping.

Dos Manos will open to the public on Monday September 6 – rest assured we’ll have an up-close look for you as soon as possible!