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User Reviews on Aka Tombo Sushi Bar
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 comments
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| Overall |
 
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Average |
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Food 7 |
Ambience 7 |
Service 7 |
Value 3 |
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I'm surprised that I forgot to rate this Japanese restaurant previously. Some of my friends and families like going there, however don't be fooled by the 'sushi bar' title after the Aka Tombo name. It is not really a sushi bar, it specialises in Kyoto style Kaiseki banquet courses. Also remember that there are 2 Aka Tombos in Melbourne, one near Little Bourke St next to Horoki is Izakaya style. This one on Greville is the original.
Let's start with the sushi/sashimi. Disappointing. Run of the mill Salmon, Tuna, Kingfish, bit of octopus and sometimes another while fish. Despite not being a big fan of AK, I've been here many numerous times over the years and have always been disappointed by its lacklustre raw fish.
Having said that, one comes here to experience the Kaiseki Course. At the beginning, I was never that impressed by Akira's Kaiseki as it was rather ordinary in both taste and preparation. Having spent a long time in Japan and in Kyoto I always believed that it never satisfied the hype that the Good Food Guide bestowed upon it.
However I must admit that in 2008 when I recently visited again, he has improved the course and sophistication slightly. It went from being ho-hum to being something a bit more special that you can't eat anywhere else in Melbourne, although still not the most special course in the world. Has lots of room for improvement.
Unfortunately, I will only rate it a 7 and that's being generous (and in the past, around 5.5-6). Its A La Carte menu is still very clumsily stun together and not that great, and its sashimi/sushi is just not upto usual Melbourne standards. Make no mistake, if you come here, only have the chef's special Kaiseki course. Have anything else and you will be disappointed, unfortunately!
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Iruka -
See my reviews 85 , 26 August 2008
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| Overall |
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Not Recommended |
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Food 2 |
Ambience 3 |
Service 5 |
Value 1 |
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We went to this restaurant after reading a reasonable review in The Age Good Food guide, with the chef apparently from Kyoto, where I'd been just 2 months ago.
The whole experience was extremely disappointing. The menu choice was limited, which would be acceptable if food was good, but this was coupled with Nobu prices and small but unrefined serves, the fish on the sushi was so thin it split. A "sushi sashimi" combination for 2 was so small and expensive ($54), and the fish was not even that fresh. I think even the normal combo packs one can get from kenzan in GPO is fresher and nicer.
The only item that was interesting was a lotus root mochi ball served in thickened broth which I haven't seen before. The four of us had ordered hardly anything, no entrees/desserts and the bill came just under 200 dollars. We had to go elsewhere for dessert because we were still hungry (and we are not big eaters) and seriously doubted the place could win us with their desserts. A much wasted and disappointing experience.
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bb8 -
See my reviews 3, 25 August 2008
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| Overall |
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Below Average |
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Food 5 |
Ambience 7 |
Service 2 |
Value 3 |
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We waited 20 - 30 minutes between being served our individual ordered dishes at random, rice coming at the end? Drinks were ordered and never arrived, had to be ordered twice. Got in at 6.30 pm, didn't leave until 9.30 pm -- without the dessert we had ordered. It wasn't even a full house, it was a wednesday night.
The "Wagyu" was a stew of over cooked cheap chewy cut of beef floating in an oil slicked soy brine. Obviously not very impressed. Very overpriced for the quality. Definitely not coming back here. I'm sure Prahranites and suburban chapel street excursioners would think it was amazing though.
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rex0431 -
See my reviews 1, 17 July 2008
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| Overall |
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Average |
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Food 7 |
Ambience 6 |
Service 6 |
Value 4 |
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Alright Japanese restaurant but can't understand the hype about it; definitely not one of the best sushi in Melbourne. Sticky scrunched up overly sweet rice topped with mediocre quality ingredient. Been there 3 times including the kaiseki course; never had a bad meal there, but no particularly impressive one either. Not the best value for money.
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bl07701 -
See my reviews 14, 02 July 2008
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| Overall |
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Recommended |
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Food 8 |
Ambience 7 |
Service 7 |
Value 7 |
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One of my favourite local Japanese restaurants. It has a very authentic feel, with the owner also being the sushi chef. The space is quite small and I would recommend booking ahead on the weekends but the service is warm and friendly. The decor of the place is quite elegant and sake drinkers can choose from a selection of sake cups!
In terms of food, the ingredients are fresh and everything is beautifully presented. There is a wide range of sushi, beyond the usual hand rolls of salmon and tuna. If you order the mixed sushi plate then expect sushi that you might not normally encounter!
My favourite meal is the grilled salmon with rice and green tea broth. The broth has a wonderful smoky taste and it's such a comforting meal! In terms of value I would say this restaurant is mid range. With sushi I think you always get what you pay for and their fresh ingredients result in slightly higher prices, which is what you would expect.
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haroldluntz -
See my reviews 13, 14 August 2007
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| Overall |
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Recommended |
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Food 8 |
Ambience 8 |
Service 8 |
Value 7 |
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The food here is pretty good. In particular the sushi. Sometimes it has fish other than the usual salmon and tuna. The place is rather small too, I think you can only fit 10 customers max. Like the typical sushi place in Japan. Small and authentic.
But it is a bit pricey, with the set meal would set you back $60 pp. If you have never been here, its worth a try.
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takoyaki -
See my reviews 5, 11 July 2007
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