WAQU

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

The food was quite nice and excellent service staff. They suggested me nice cocktails. I will return.

May 28, 2012 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  7     

First went to WAQU about a month ago (Saturday night), took the 7 course menu, bought our own wine and was raving about all aspects of the visit. Food, service and value for money were all outstanding. Eagerly returned last Friday night to be really disappointed: (7 course again (new menu) and accompanying wines.

The food was average, this menu was not as exciting as the previous. The waiter was very tight with his service of wines, and the choice of accompanying wines was average at best (BYO is Much better option). The service on our first visit was faultless.

The service on our recent visit fell below average, we waited 30 minutes for our first course and wine, and the sourdough we ordered came with our 3rd course after we asked for it 3 times. We then waited up to 30 minutes between courses and were often left with empty glasses, only to have the last three courses come out one after the other. The salmon I asked to be cooked through, came out raw. The lamb was outstanding and worth waiting for! Approx 3.5 hours for the whole experience was too long in my opinion.

My scores are based on both my visits! Will I go back? Not in a hurry. What we thought would become a regular local restaurant for us really disappointed.

May 14, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

We visited WAQU the Saturday gone and opted for the 7 course Autumn 2012 set menu/degustation.

On arrival we found the service and atmosphere to be welcoming, as you would expect from a fancy Japanese restaurant.

The first couple of dishes were 100% Japanese, but from there on in, it was more of a fusion style. I had the Barramundi for fish, my partner the Salmon, both perfectly cooked and well seasoned. As for the meats, I went the duck and partner went the lamb. Her's was well cooked, however, she preferred the duck and I prefered the lamb, each to their own I guess.

The dessert was very innovative and they score a couple of extra points for that.

All in all I would say decent value for money, as the food was very good, but not amazing as you would come to expect from somewhere such as Tetsuya's. Obviously this is a restaurant not aiming to be Tetsuya's so I have scored accordingly.

May 01, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  10     

Last night I experienced the Autumn 2012 degustation at this classy establishment.

I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh ingredients, the visual detail of the food, the design of the glassware and plateware. Everything about the restaurant to be honest!

The food is so fresh, delicate and aromatic and IMO equivalent to a one hat standard. Some flavours were completely new taste sensations too (Japanese ingredients, a certain tubular mushroom, the satsuma potato chips etc). I especially adored the citrus sauce on one of the dishes. Just beautiful.

The service was polite and impeccable. And value wise I can only shake my head and wonder how they can do it with the amount of time that must go into the preparation of these complex dishes. I love restaurants that devote time equally to both vegetables and meat. Highly recommended for a gourmet night out.

Apr 29, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Excellent food and service. Had a delicious 6 course meal for a fairly reasonable price and the atmosphere was nice on that of a Saturday night. Will definitely return.

Mar 04, 2012 

3.8 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  2     

Thanks God, the word Terrible means the same in Spanish and in English. otherwise it would be so difficult to describe the service and food at WAQU. I won't be back again. Poor service, disappointing Japanese dishes and very expensive for the quality of food.

Feb 11, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

7 courses each for my wife and I, with matched wines. So, got to share mains and sample 9 different dishes, plus the freebie Amuse Bouche.

The food is really interesting. Best comparison would be a more modern take on Tetsuya. Food is not quite up to Tetsuya's standards but in the same area. (And I haven't actually been to Tetsuya's for almost 10 years now so who knows how he's been getting on.

The only downside (let's get it out of the way) was one piece of chewy meat in the 4 provided for the Shabu Shabu Beef course.

Highlights were many... Cherry Gazpacho was a great start to the meal. Crystal Bay Prawn "Mi-Cuit" was great also. But surprisingly for me (not being a usual fan of cooked fish) both the Pan Fried Ocean Trout and Pan Fried Barramundi were exceptional! And the dessert was a perfect finish.

Go with an open mind and experience something a little different. There are lots of "foams" and "gels", and this seasons menu at least, seems to be very crunchy!

And the sommelier is great fun to listen to as well. (Also on the Entertainment Book - Sydney North).

Read more on my blog

Feb 11, 2012 

5.5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  5     

The food here is pleasant. When we came here a season ago, the seafood froth looking thing reminded me of smelly fish market and uncleaned aquarium, so it made me a bit sick. There was a trout entree and that wasn't fresh either as it had the fishy smell which fresh fish don't have, so those 2 dishes were disappointing, but other dishes were pleasant.

The service is quite pretentious, impersonal, they just state what the dishes are really quickly, giving the impression they don't want to be there and left quickly. When asked to repeat what they say (cus they really mumble it really quickly), they say it really quickly again and left. Overall experience was "rushed", "pretentious" and "impersonal". Back then, we thought we may go back there in a month or two time, but we hadn't been back and don't think we will.

Feb 02, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  10     

Had a very reasonable and delicious 6 course menu for $60 which was great value. Food is fresh and inviting but a little lackluster in the service. Well worth a try.

Jan 28, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Wow, we had the 6 courses and were treated to a taste sensation, the fusion of flavours and textures was a dining delight. Both the trout and smoked lamb were equally good. The wine list is complementary to the food and the front of house staff are knowledgeable about the food they are serving, attention to detail is a plus from the time you walk through the door, you are special. Thank you for a beautiful evening and I will definitely be back.

Jan 20, 2012