Kintara (aka Kintaro)

6 Average

Food  3      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  5     

We visit the restaurant frequently and have always been very happy with the quality of food and service. However, we visited yesterday and noticed a difference in the presentation and flavour of the dishes, not as good as it used to be. Quiet disappointing.

Dec 16, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  7     

Not as good as it used to be, according to my 95 year old Grandmother and I agree. This place has changed hands a number of times, with not major menu updates. There are still a number of stand out dishes and I still return for the vegetable tempura handrolls.

Sep 25, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  9     

This place is definitely good value for money. Went there for a Friday night dinner and it didn't disappoint. The sashimi was very fresh and we ordered a bit much as we didn't expect the serving to be so big. I would definitely go back and will be bringing my friends to introduce them to this great restaurant.

May 28, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  10     

I just love this place. I can't count how many times I've been now. I just feel great after eating their food. This is one of those places you go to purely for the food. It's not about decor or fine dining. It's simple and wonderful.

Mar 02, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

I too am shocked there are bad reviews about this place. I live close by and this is my local. Looking at moving to the inner west and my boy friend and I still say we will be coming back to this restaurant!

Keen Japanese eaters, the food is fabulous, we always have difficulty deciding what we're going to have as there's so much amazing food to choose from! The value is fabulous! yes the decor is not wonderful, but for a small jap restaurant I'd rather the food, service and value to be top notch than have to give up one of them for the ambience. You don't go here for a romantic up-market experience - you go to Kintaro when you want yummy food at a reasonable price with friendly service! I take it I'm not alone either given you need to book to get in even on a Wed night!

Ps. The beef tataki is like none other!

Aug 22, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

I'm amazed to see bad reviews of this place. My husband and I Love Japanese food and since we've moved to Neutral Bay it's the only Japanese we eat at, it's been so consistently amazing every time that we can't bring ourselves to try anywhere else.

The beef tataki melts in the mouth, the sashimi is super-fresh and the gyoza are absolutely delicious. Have always found the staff friendly and the speed of the food coming out of the kitchen just fine too. Ok the decor isn't amazing but it's really about the food, not the wallpaper.

Jul 24, 2010 

5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Don't know what the hype is about. I don’t think its the best at all. I love Japanese, this place is very mediocre. The restaurant needs an update I guess. I don't understand the tree pattern. I guess its meant to be cute?

The food was so average and salty. Japanese isn't meant to be that salty. Maybe it was a bad night, but I won't be going back to test my theory. Had the soft shell crab rolls, way too much rice, and it looked like long grain rice was used, not sweet and sticky, more dry and bland.

We had a hot pot that came with the raw egg, it was super salty and hardly any soup. The soup wasn't hot enough either so it was a complete raw egg when we dropped it in. I also don't think restaurants should be using disposable chopchicks either. For 30-35 I'd prefer a sushi train.

Jul 15, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Been here several times and never disappointed. Their sashimi is very fresh. Their grilled kingfish head is also a top choice, but sometimes run out so make sure you let them know early. Looking at around $30-35 pp. Booking a must on a Sat night.
Definitely recommended if you're ever in the North Shore are.

Mar 22, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

The sashimi here is one of the best I've tasted, very fresh and delicious, we usually order takeaway but dined here over the weekend, the service was a bit slow but the staff are very friendly and try their best. The food was really delicious, we tried the sushi, sashimi, hotpot dishes and wafu steak dishes we all agreed they were amongst the best we've tasted. Make sure you book ahead it's always very busy here.

Mar 16, 2010 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

Immediately we were blown away by the friendly staff at Kintaro. Despite a busy Saturday night service, they were all calm, switched on, and cheerful. The cute and simple decor of this restaurant is in contrast to their menu, which has a great variety of dishes. Pork gyoza were delicious, and bursting with juice. Wafu steak was beautifully cooked and very tasty.

The sushi here is great for the price paid. Good variety, good presentation, and decent serving sizes. The tempura main was tasty, but only had two prawns and 1 piece of fish. The rest was all veg. They were run off their feet, and it took a while to pay the bill, but we took this as a good sign. The total came to $65 for two including tea, sake, 2 entrees and 2 mains. Great value.

Nov 10, 2009