At Izy.Aki, dining starts with a leap of faith. The modern Japanese izakaya has built a loyal following by doing things differently. With just 20 seats, no traditional menu and only two choices for guests — six courses or ten courses, the experience is deliberately simple. Once diners make their selection, they hand over control to the kitchen, where seasonal ingredients, Japanese techniques and creativity take centre stage.
It’s a concept that relies on precision. Every booking directly influences service, preparation and the guest experience. With up to 200 reservations flowing through the venue each month, having the right systems in place behind the scenes is essential.
To learn more about how the team manages its unique operation, we spoke with owner Darren Templeman.
“We’re a small venue, so every booking matters. We need to know exactly what’s coming through and be able to manage it easily,” said Darren.
When every single booking impacts service
Unlike larger venues that can absorb last-minute changes or fluctuations in guest numbers, Izy.Aki operates with little margin for error. Every service is carefully planned around confirmed reservations, dietary requirements and guest preferences. The team isn’t simply preparing meals; they’re curating an experience that begins long before guests arrive.
For Darren, visibility over bookings and confidence in the information coming through the system are critical.
“The ease of being able to manage bookings and the control we have over the system has been very good. I enjoy the control we have.”
With Now Book It, guests can reserve their table online at any time, while the team receives real-time booking information that helps them plan each service with confidence. Rather than spending valuable time manually managing reservations, the team can focus on refining dishes, preparing ingredients and creating memorable dining experiences.
For a venue where every seat contributes to the overall atmosphere and flow of service, that level of visibility makes a significant difference.
Turning bookings into better experience
One of the features Darren values most is the ability to tailor the booking journey to suit the venue’s unique offering.
Izy.Aki makes use of booking options and upgrades, allowing guests to personalise their reservation before they even arrive. Whether it’s selecting their preferred dining experience, adding extras or providing important information ahead of service, the process is seamless for both the guest and the team. This not only improves the guest journey but also helps streamline operations on the day.
"Now Book It gives us the information we need before service starts, which makes preparation much easier."
By capturing guest preferences and booking details in advance, the team can spend less time chasing information and more time focusing on hospitality. It’s a small operational improvement that has a big impact on service.
More time on hospitality, less time on admin
Like many hospitality operators, Darren understands that every minute spent on administration is time taken away from guests. Now Book It helps reduce that burden by centralising reservations, guest notes and booking management into one platform. The result is a smoother workflow for the team and fewer manual processes to manage throughout the week. With approximately 200 bookings each month, those efficiencies quickly add up.
Rather than fielding constant booking enquiries or manually tracking reservation details, the team has everything they need at their fingertips. That simplicity allows them to stay focused on delivering the experience guests come for.
“It’s easy to use, and it gives us confidence in the information we’re working with,” Darren explained.
Small venues, big expectations
What makes Izy.Aki special isn’t its size. It’s the confidence to stay true to a concept and execute it exceptionally well. From the intimate 20-seat dining room to the chef-led tasting menu experience, every detail has been designed to create something memorable. Guests arrive knowing very little about what they’ll eat, but that’s exactly the point.
The trust guests place in the kitchen is what makes the experience so unique.
Behind the scenes, Now Book It provides the reliability, flexibility and control needed to support that vision. From online reservations and booking management through to guest notes, booking options and upgrades, the platform helps ensure every service runs smoothly.
"It's a very good system. It gives us the control we need and makes managing bookings straightforward."
For a venue where every booking matters and every service is carefully curated, having a reservation platform that works quietly in the background allows the team to focus on what they do best — creating an unforgettable dining experience.
Book a table at Izy.Aki
Now Book It tip: Take Darren’s advice and book a seat at the counter. It’s the best way to experience the skill, creativity and theatre that make Izy.Aki one of Brisbane’s most unique dining experiences.