WAQU

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

Had been here w/ my partner a few months ago on a friday night and was initially pleasantly surprised by the eclectic atmosphere. The lights were dim, just enough to create mood, but not so much so that you're struggling to see across the table.

The food was also well presented and well prepared. We had chosen the tasting menu and not being an established fan of Japanese inspired styles, I had taken a risk in going, but I was more than satisfied by the choice offered. Good value and adequate service gave nothing but the choice of tacky decor to fault it on.

Nov 17, 2009 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

Wow what amazing value for money, 5 courses for $55! The food was really great, my favourite was the 1st course the Amuse, it was delightful! I want to come back for the summer menu pronto! Must book though!

Nov 16, 2009 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

We cannot speak high enough of Waqu. Their attention to detail, the taste sensation with each course, the ambience of the restaurant and such lovely staff, you can only be impressed with your dining experience. And with a changing degustation menu every season, you don't want to miss any! If you haven't dined at Waqu at least once in each season, then you have definitely done yourself a dining injustice.

Nov 05, 2009 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  9     

Had my intimate birthday dinner here. Staff were excellent, especially the trainee who explained each of the culinary dish per serve. Ambience is good, we could talk the night away without any care in the world we were so into the zone. Highly recommended, and would personally frequent more often into this establishment.

Oct 29, 2009 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  6     

Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Good food and there is a BYO option which is always good. Keep up the good work.

Oct 25, 2009 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  8     

I was brought here by my boyfriend on our anniversary dinner. I Love it! very tasty food, uber cool environment!

Oct 20, 2009 

6.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  6     

High quality food made with love. Having had Tetsuya's I'd definitely rate Waqu higher in all regards. Tetsuya's claim to fame is the use of exotic ingredients. Waqu just relies on great cooking. I've been here on 4 occasion and it's great everytime.

The soft shell crab taco, miso cod, spatchcock, the steak and sake brulee should be award winners. They get a little busy at time so they can be a little slow if you're unlucky but this place is great.

Oct 19, 2009 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

The food was good here in general. We appreciate the artistic presentation of the dishes. The food is very thoughtful in terms of taste, texture, serving portion and variety. In a normal restaurant, all you can get for $55 would most likely be just a big chunk of steak.

At Waqu, by the end of the meal, you would probably have had more than 30 variety of food intake. The entree plate was tasty. The soft shell crab was perfectly match with the taco. However, the cold soup is a miss. For the two-way sashimi, the diced trout did not taste good with the cream.

For the main, the beef wagyu was very/too fatty (I think that's what wagyu is pride for though). The scallop was surprisingly good. However, the miso cod was too salty that I couldn't physically have second bite. The risotto didn't taste much. Thanks to the delightful dessert left us on a high note.

About the ambience, the light was a bit too dim, especially near the toilet entrance. I (a woman) have to endure being in the same toilet as a man. A man just walked in through the wrong door as I was sitting in the toilet. I can hear him talking in the next cubicle! The sign for ladies/gentleman were poorly lit and causing unnecessary embarassment.

Oct 15, 2009 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I love love love love this place! Came here on the recommendation of a friend and upon reading the reviews, was also intrigued by the idea of a set menu. The restaurant is easy to locate, on the corner of Pacific Hwy and Shirley/Falcon St and despite it's busy location was a haven inside with warm lighting, comfortable furniture and I was pleased to see that it was quite spacious, they could easily have fit more tables in but didn't and it was nice to sit without having the next table practically in my lap!

The food was just amazing. I'm still trying to figure out how they can produce such quality and quantity for only $55 per person. The standout dishes were definitely the starter of the soft shell crab taco, the ocean trout (could have eaten all 5 dishes of that and been perfectly happy!) and the roast duck. The dishes were all inventive and beautifully presented, each one was like a little work of art. Service was fantastic, lots of discreet and attentive ladies.

Can't wait to come back, and will definitely be coming back. Cannot wait for the new summer menu (which is awhile away yet, but will be going back for more of the spring menu!). Waqu will definitely be a long-time favourite!

Sep 09, 2009 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

Went to Waqu for my birthday with the Miss, left the place very impressed with the overall experience. Food was nice and fresh and included quite a range of flavors, the presentation was also great. Service was warm and inviting. Lighting was nice and dim, but not to the state where I couldn't tell how cooked my steak was.

One disappointing aspect was the lack of noise isolation. Restaurant was very open and became quite noisy, unfortunately, due to a table of women and another table of Asians trying to talk over one another. Bill came to $130 for the 2, with warm sake and left the restaurant filled. Will definitely return.

Sep 04, 2009