A new Japanese restaurant is ready to open following the closure of an Oxford wine bar.

Wilding opened in Little Clarendon Street in 2021 on the site of the former Cafe Rouge in Little Clarendon Street - sometimes known as 'little trendy street'.

But it shut for good in May and restaurant chain Kibou has taken over the premises in the side street off Walton Street which features bars, shops, Gail's bakery, restaurants, a pub and the Common Ground cafe and venue.

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Kibou already has restaurants in Battersea, Cheltenham, Bristol, Solihull, and Cambridge and is now taking bookings for its new restaurant in Oxford.

While the official opening is July 30, diners should be able to book a table in the interim during the 'soft' opening.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) The chain's website said: "Bringing a slice of Tokyo chic to Jericho, new Kibou Oxford, located on 11-12 Little Clarendon Street, will see this beautiful Victorian venue transformed into a colourful and atmospheric Japanese-inspired bar and restaurant.

"Expect to see our stunning murals and digital animations, alongside Japanese floral and foliage installations and traditional Japanese block print textiles, all fused together effortlessly with the many original features of this stunning period property."

(Image: Andy Ffrench) There will be seating for 100 guests across a range of different eating and drinking zones, including a conservatory with booth seating, feature neon lighting, an atmospheric dining room with views to the open sushi kitchen, and a cocktail lounge with steel-topped cocktail and spirits bar.

There will also be a leafy Japanese-inspired garden, with seating for 40 guests, along with some eye-catching wall art and dramatic up lighting.

For those looking forward to something a little more secluded, there is a private dining room with space for up to 12 diners.

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The menu will focus on classic and contemporary Japanese sharing plates, beautifully presented ‘moriawase’ sushi and sashimi platters, seared wagyu beef, and bowls of steaming ramen.

The website adds: "Catering to all Japanese food lovers and those eager to try Japanese cuisine for the first time, Kibou’s diverse menu also includes an extended vegan offering, Japanese classics, such as teriyaki and katsu curry, and an elegantly rich menu of Japanese-inspired desserts.

There will also be a bar serving signature Japanese-inspired cocktails, a selection of Japanese whisky, sake and umeshu, and Japanese-brewed beers.

It's possible some of the dishes on Wilding's menu were too expensive for some diners during a cost of living crisis.

Sixty Day Aged Rib Eye of Beef, with Beef Fat Bearnaise - 350g cost £68.

Kibou's Sirloin of Beef Tataki and Truffle Nigiri costs £24.90.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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