New restaurant from the team behind Bar Wa Izakaya opens in Murray Street

The team behind Bar Wa Izakaya have opened a new venture, Lost in Asia, a bar and restaurant they promise will transport diners to the streets of South-East Asia.

Co-owner Travis Oddie with head chef Jacob MacKenzie at ne Hobart restaurant Lost in Asia. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The team behind Hobart institution Bar Wa Izakaya have opened a new restaurant in Murray street, describing their latest venture as a “tribute to southeast Asia”.

Lost In Asia opened its doors on Thursday with a menu that promises to transport guests to the “streets of southeast Asia in the centre of Hobart”.

Set in a plant filled 1840s sandstone building, the restaurant aims to be a chameleon, catering for long lunches and late night drinks alike.

New Hobart restaurant Lost in Asia. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We don’t really have a specific target demographic, we really want everyone to feel comfortable here,” co-owner Travis Oddie said.

“We’re hoping to be first and foremost a restaurant, but have the kitchen open to 10pm for people that want to come in for a late night drink.”

With chef Jacob MacKenzie at the helm, the menu combines traditional southeast Asian dishes, with rotating creations.

“Jacob has come down from the Gold Coast to be our head chef and he’s got a lot of really good ideas,” Mr Oddie said.

“We’re taking inspiration from all countries around southeast Asia, taking a little bit here and there,

“I think some of the star dishes are his smoked beef cheek dumplings with a sweet rendang sauce. But his half baby snapper with caramelised nuoc cham and fragrant herbs is a bit of a standout.”

Mr MacKenzie said it was important to develop the menu using local ingredients, expecting it to change seasonally.

“Everything is designed to share so people can just come in for a pint or a full multi-course meal,” Mr MacKenzie said.

New Hobart restaurant Lost in Asia. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The bar boasts an extensive drinks list, with the outdoor courtyard set to transform into a beer garden later this year.

“All our cocktails are Asian themed, there’s a lot of room for fun little flavours there and we’re getting lots of Asian beers, as well as some great local stuff,” Mr Oddie said.

“We’ll probably have some long neck sessions in the courtyard once it gets going for summer.”

Lost in Asia is now open 12pm to late Thursday to Sunday at 131 Murray St.

Originally published as New restaurant from the team behind Bar Wa Izakaya opens in Murray Street