kawaii18

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

Dining at Assiette was a pleasurable experience. It has a relaxing vibe and the venue is well lit. This enhanced our experience to engage in conversations while enjoying the carefully crafted dishes.

For the starter, I'd recommend the duck and mackerel. Risotto for main and creme brûlée for dessert. A special mention that their creme brûlée was one of the best (if not the best) I've ever had.

One area that I didn't quite enjoy was the chair. My guests and I felt that the chairs were quite punishing to sit over the course of 2 hours. Having said that, I'll definitely visit Assiette again in the next 6 months.

Nov 25, 2011

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  5     

Made a booking way before Sokyo was opened in the hope that Chase Kojima would bring something special to Sydney.

The deco gave a good atmosphere, but the noise level was so high that I could barely hear myself sometimes. Waiters were very friendly and took good care of our table.

We ordered a kurobuta and a tai sashimi (both were not raw), a beef robota (i.e. char-grilled skewers, 6 pieces of nigiri and a sushi roll.

Serving size was pathetically small. Never mind the price, but the sushi roll, which comprised of 8 pieces, was as big as a thumb each. Nigiri was about 60% of a regular one you fine in sushi trains. I am totally lost when I try to justify their decision on the servicing size.

In terms of taste, only the beef skewers were something I'd go back for again. Sashimi were ordinary and they could do much better with their nigiri and sushi rolls. It wasn't bad, but just plain ordinary. We had cocktails too, which were average/meeting expectation.

Given the hype of Chase Kojima being an ex-Nobu head chef, I expected much more from Sokyo. When you visited their website, it mentioned about designing a menu for you when you dine. Choosing dishes from various sections of the menu wasn't what I expected from this marketing phrase.

In summary, Sokyo needs to step up before I'll consider visiting again.

Nov 25, 2011

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  4     

Revisited this place after a year. The joint used to be very exciting serving great food and sake. Somehow, it went downhill.

Service is fairly good, got a little less attentive. All the dishes were much saltier compared to my last visit. Didn't taste the elegance in the dishes at all. Sake tasted a little old (unlike wine, most sake can't be kept for years). I guess it's inevitable since not many Sydneysiders appreciate sake, hence, the old stock.

For the price I paid ($80 pp with food and alcohol), I bought a major disappointment. It'll take a lot for me to visit again.

Following is my old review - Definitely one of the better Modern Japanese in Sydney. Agree that it's on a pricey side and lighting is a little off depending on the restaurant location. However, it's one of the few places that has such an extensive list of Sake (I'm a Sake lover) on a reasonable price. Lots of Sakes from various cult breweries that I haven't heard of and they are fantastic!

Haven't tried the cocktail but have seen the bartender making cocktails non-stop in the 60 minutes that I was there. Food are fantastic. Highlights are Tuna Tataki, Kingfish Jalepeno, Miso Cod and Popcorn Prawns. All sauces are very balanced and well researched/designed.

Also, service is fantastic. Very well taken care of and the waiter took time to explain the origins of the sake and when is best to drink them (before, during and after meal). Definitely will head there again in the new few weeks. It's definitely in my list of favourites now.

Nov 16, 2011

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Have been there twice since they opened last Monday. Reasonably priced food at good quality. Polento chips, crispy squid, mushroom fritti, Tiramisu and their pasta are my top picks. I can see myself visiting there more often than many of the fine dining restaurants.

Nov 03, 2011

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I had a lovely evening last night trying their degustation dinner. Lovely little cozy place in Surry Hills. Perfect for couples or a small group of 4 to get together. The food is easily comparable to a hatted restaurant. What's more, I didn't feel over-ate after the 8 courses, which many higher priced restaurants usually do. The pricing is fair for the amount and quality we had.

Oct 06, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

Dining at Assiette was a pleasurable experience. It has a relaxing vibe and the venue is well lit. This enhanced our experience to engage in conversations while enjoying the carefully crafted dishes.

For the starter, I'd recommend the duck and mackerel. Risotto for main and creme brûlée for dessert. A special mention that their creme brûlée was one of the best (if not the best) I've ever had.

One area that I didn't quite enjoy was the chair. My guests and I felt that the chairs were quite punishing to sit over the course of 2 hours. Having said that, I'll definitely visit Assiette again in the next 6 months.

Nov 25, 2011

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  5     

Made a booking way before Sokyo was opened in the hope that Chase Kojima would bring something special to Sydney.

The deco gave a good atmosphere, but the noise level was so high that I could barely hear myself sometimes. Waiters were very friendly and took good care of our table.

We ordered a kurobuta and a tai sashimi (both were not raw), a beef robota (i.e. char-grilled skewers, 6 pieces of nigiri and a sushi roll.

Serving size was pathetically small. Never mind the price, but the sushi roll, which comprised of 8 pieces, was as big as a thumb each. Nigiri was about 60% of a regular one you fine in sushi trains. I am totally lost when I try to justify their decision on the servicing size.

In terms of taste, only the beef skewers were something I'd go back for again. Sashimi were ordinary and they could do much better with their nigiri and sushi rolls. It wasn't bad, but just plain ordinary. We had cocktails too, which were average/meeting expectation.

Given the hype of Chase Kojima being an ex-Nobu head chef, I expected much more from Sokyo. When you visited their website, it mentioned about designing a menu for you when you dine. Choosing dishes from various sections of the menu wasn't what I expected from this marketing phrase.

In summary, Sokyo needs to step up before I'll consider visiting again.

Nov 25, 2011

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  4     

Revisited this place after a year. The joint used to be very exciting serving great food and sake. Somehow, it went downhill.

Service is fairly good, got a little less attentive. All the dishes were much saltier compared to my last visit. Didn't taste the elegance in the dishes at all. Sake tasted a little old (unlike wine, most sake can't be kept for years). I guess it's inevitable since not many Sydneysiders appreciate sake, hence, the old stock.

For the price I paid ($80 pp with food and alcohol), I bought a major disappointment. It'll take a lot for me to visit again.

Following is my old review - Definitely one of the better Modern Japanese in Sydney. Agree that it's on a pricey side and lighting is a little off depending on the restaurant location. However, it's one of the few places that has such an extensive list of Sake (I'm a Sake lover) on a reasonable price. Lots of Sakes from various cult breweries that I haven't heard of and they are fantastic!

Haven't tried the cocktail but have seen the bartender making cocktails non-stop in the 60 minutes that I was there. Food are fantastic. Highlights are Tuna Tataki, Kingfish Jalepeno, Miso Cod and Popcorn Prawns. All sauces are very balanced and well researched/designed.

Also, service is fantastic. Very well taken care of and the waiter took time to explain the origins of the sake and when is best to drink them (before, during and after meal). Definitely will head there again in the new few weeks. It's definitely in my list of favourites now.

Nov 16, 2011

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Have been there twice since they opened last Monday. Reasonably priced food at good quality. Polento chips, crispy squid, mushroom fritti, Tiramisu and their pasta are my top picks. I can see myself visiting there more often than many of the fine dining restaurants.

Nov 03, 2011

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I had a lovely evening last night trying their degustation dinner. Lovely little cozy place in Surry Hills. Perfect for couples or a small group of 4 to get together. The food is easily comparable to a hatted restaurant. What's more, I didn't feel over-ate after the 8 courses, which many higher priced restaurants usually do. The pricing is fair for the amount and quality we had.

Oct 06, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Went there on Saturday morning and got myself a few pastries for breakfast. Pear tarts, chocolate tarts and Orange&Blueberry Cake were absolute delete. The staffs were very attentive. Would really like it if it's open on Sundays as well.

Aug 08, 2011

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

Fantastic meat quality being served. Wagyu Beef Curry is highly recommended. It is by far one of the best in Sydney. The dish definitely has the authentic Japanese taste to it! A must try for any Jap cuisine lover.

Feb 07, 2011

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

Food was great, especially the pork belly! Need to be careful of the chilli content as it gets really spicy at times. Definitely recommended for a group of 4 or more.

Aug 09, 2010

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Have both dined and ordered deliveries from there. Food is great and authentic.
Love that the curries are very strong with flavours. However, more spices could be used if you like it hot. Definitely good place to dine in as the decor is quite romantic.

Aug 09, 2010

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

6 Average

Food  4      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  4     

Food is average and overpriced. As a Japanese food lover, I find that they can do much better in the mains. Sake list is terrible. It's more like a Kozaemon list than proper Sake list. Also, Yuzu infused Sake is total disappointment. However, positive will be the ambience and desserts. Good to go for a drink and desserts but definitely not suitable for a proper dining place.

Aug 09, 2010