Taiki

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  3     

After seeing that this place was bustling with happy diners, my partner and I decided to try this place out. We did and were disappointed.

The food was mediocre compared to its price and we soon realised that it wasn't authentic Japanese cuisine, which is why, we believe, it may attract a Western crowd as opposed to Asian diners such as us. Portion sizes were small compared with most other Japanese restaurants and the sashimi cuts, while good, were very so-so compared to our expectations.

It may have been the case that our dissatisfaction was evident on our faces, as the cheerful senior staff suddenly turned cold. And when it came to payment time, we were left standing at the counter for a good ten minutes before she sorted the bill. She snatched my credit card off me and went off into the back room without a word.

One of the staff members then emerged from the back room to return my credit card, and while she was friendly, she was visibly frightened by the senior staff who stormed past.

While the food wasn't awful, our overall dining experience wasn't fantastic, so it is likely we won't return.

Apr 12, 2012 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

I love Taiki! I'm a regular and, while I understand they can be a bit pricey, the food is always fresh and excellent, the service is warm and attentive (Yoshimi-san is so lovely!), and Yoshi-san is a great chef.

My absolutely favourite is their special futomaki roll and I always ask them to add eel to mine. Their sushi and sashimi are delicious and super fresh and Yoshi-san always makes them with just the right amount of rice (unlike commercial sushi places who do them with stack load of rice!). The Taiki salad is also a family favourite.

Taiki also does take away, and I would definitely book a table if we wanted to go on Thursday/Friday/Saturday. At the moment they are closed on Sundays and Mondays, and the days they are closed have changed several times. I wish they were open every day.

Overall, great little restaurant! Definitely a Lane Cove gem.

Mar 05, 2012 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  4     

After a very poor experience here previously, tried again on valentines day (brave I know). Service was fantastic, food was good. A bit pricey but probably the only decent restaurant in lane cove so they can get away with it.

Feb 14, 2012 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  6     

One of the best restaurants in Lane Cove, service excellent, food very good, a little pricey, but food was very good quality.

Dec 22, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

We accidentally found this little gem in Lane Cove. We walked into the restaurant without a booking at 6 pm and didn't realise it was Mother's Day. They accommodated us and we sat down for a nice dinner. Very nice table setting! We ordered sushi and sashimi combination, a plate of sashimi (kingfish and salmon), whiting and vegetable tempura.

The dishes were great! Sashimi was fresh and the sushi was good. The sushi rice was warm and soft, freshly made. Tempura batter was different from the usual suspects, very lightly battered but not extremely crunchy or 'crumbly'. The restaurant host was very warm and the service was excellent. The price was a tad expensive. I'd definitely visit to try other dishes on the menu.

May 10, 2011 

3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  2      Service  6      Value  1     

Not a good start ,arrive to find a couple of women sitting at sushi counter chatting ignoring their two kids playing hopscotch down the middle of the restaurant.First course of chicken with lemon could have come from KFC. Main course of sizzling beef $40!! was the size of a starter. Plus $10 corkage. Food not true Japaneese. Very expensive for poor food.

Feb 18, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

A very good Japanese restaurant serving quality food made from the freshest ingredients available. The owners are Japanese and it shows. My family enjoy going there, especially my son who spends quite a bit of time in Japan every year visiting the relatives.

Dec 31, 2010 

3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  2     

Below average food at very high price. It is not authentic japanese food. I guess Australians like it because it's adjusted to their taste but as a japanese person, I couldn't possibly pay the price they ask for that kind of ordinary food, they should not claim it's japanese food because It's not!

Dec 29, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

Excellent traditional Japanese in Lane Cove. The Sushi/Sashimi platters are great quality and very generous for the price. The staff are friendly. Definitely worth a try if you are looking for good Japanese in the area.

Dec 04, 2010 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

I've been to Taiki a few times now, both with clients and with friends. I have always found the food to be well prepared, and the sashimi is fresh and delicious. Other dishes such as chicken karaage and sizzling wagyu are high on my list of favourites too.

Draught Sapporo is an extra bonus! Staff are friendly, helpful and a pleasure to deal with. Certainly amongst the best Japanese food I've had in Sydney.

Jan 25, 2010