steven40

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

We had a wonderful experience at this restaurant last night. The service, food and ambience were all first rate.

We started with the seared garlic bonito and miso scallops, which we shared, and they were both magnificent. We then shared the large sashimi plate and were again blown away by the freshness of the fish.

This was followed by the seafood tempura (a good litmus test for a Japanese restaurant as there are so many oily and excessively battered versions out there) and the resulting dish was light and beautifully flavoured. Asparagus spears and baby corn were included in the vegetables, which made a nice change from the usual suspects, ie onion, potato and capsicum.

We then had a sushi piece each (eel and scallop) and the technical execution was spot on, not to mention the quality of the seafood. A small but well priced and selected wine list rounded out the overall wonderful experience. We will be back.

Oct 06, 2011

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

I took a friend last Thursday night. A bit miffed that we had to take a 6 pm table for an 8 pm departure, but hey that's living in Sydney in 2011 if you want to go to hip and happening places!

To say that we were blown away by the food, service and value is a complete understatement! The best food we have had in Sydney since Quay and miles in front of the last, ordinary (and extremely expensive) meal we had a Pier (from where the chef originates).

The service was unobtrusive, professional and very knowledgeable. None of that AbFab attitude that we received at MsGs the week before! A word of warning, we Know what you earn, so cut the superior attitude!

The liquid gnocchi consumme was mind blowing! Both fish dishes, the snapper with fried scales and the confit of blue-eye were gorgeous. We weren't going to have a dessert as neither of us have a sweet tooth, but I am soooo glad that we shared the vanilla egg dish. My God! the best dessert I have had since Tetsuya's back in the early 90's (ie when he was good!).

Anyway, completely amazing and I am trying to book again for next Saturday!

Jun 06, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.5 Below Average

Food  8      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  4     

I took a friend recently, on a Saturday night, who had never been here before. We asked for a particular table but we were told that we had to sit next to another couple, despite the restaurant being virtually empty (it was just after opening time). We were so close to the other couple that we had to engage them in conversation.

As soon as we sat down we were presented with menus. On opening the menus we were asked on six, separate occasions if we were ready to order. Staff hovered, waiting for the order. On ordering, the entrees were out within minutes, promptly followed by the mains (before finishing the entrees!). I was asked on four separate occasions if I had finished my meal, when clearly my plate was still full. Staff stood behind me watching my progress according to my friend. Excuse me for being a slow eater and wanting to enjoy my meal.

On finsihing my meal, the bill appeared immediately on the table. We had to scull our half filled bottle of wine before we were ejected from the restaurant. All in all, we were there no longer than half an hour! My friend was horrified and really the prices they are charging does not warrant this level of naked greed and rudeness from the staff as they attempt to turn the tables over at the speed of sound!

It would not matter how good the food is if you are treated like this!

Dec 13, 2010

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

I went for lunch last Saturday after reading all the raves on this site. They have a $15 lunch special on Saturdays and Sundays. I foolishly assumed that I would not get much in the way of sushi for $15, so I also ordered the blackboard special of gyozas (6 pieces for $8.80). The sushi arrived (8 pieces plus a tuna roll) and it looked meticulously presented.

There were inclusive side dishes of agedashi tofu (deep fried bean curd in a bonito soup), which was delicate and beautifullty flavoured, a side salad of mixed greens dressed with a soy/onion dressing and miso soup. It was huge and I really didn't need the gyozas! However, I am glad I had them as they are the best I have had since Tokyo, certainly the best I have had in Sydney.

Overall, I was very impressed and will be returning again very soon.

Dec 13, 2010

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Went last Friday in a group of 8. We took 4 mud crabs which the chef prepared in 2 ways, i.e. Singapore chilli and in a dry curry sambal. They charge $20 per person for this preparation. Both styles were excellent, however I had a definite preference for the Singapore Chilli, although others on the table disagreed. So it must be down to palate.

The crabs were served with roti canai and rice. The roti was fantastic and as I am a slow eater I only managed to get one. Will order more next time. We also had the kangkong belacan, chicken satay and an absolutely sublime tofu dish in a spicy gravy. The tofu is made on the premises and it was one of the best tofu dishes I have ever had. Overall, a very impressive experience.

Dec 06, 2010

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

We had a wonderful experience at this restaurant last night. The service, food and ambience were all first rate.

We started with the seared garlic bonito and miso scallops, which we shared, and they were both magnificent. We then shared the large sashimi plate and were again blown away by the freshness of the fish.

This was followed by the seafood tempura (a good litmus test for a Japanese restaurant as there are so many oily and excessively battered versions out there) and the resulting dish was light and beautifully flavoured. Asparagus spears and baby corn were included in the vegetables, which made a nice change from the usual suspects, ie onion, potato and capsicum.

We then had a sushi piece each (eel and scallop) and the technical execution was spot on, not to mention the quality of the seafood. A small but well priced and selected wine list rounded out the overall wonderful experience. We will be back.

Oct 06, 2011

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

I took a friend last Thursday night. A bit miffed that we had to take a 6 pm table for an 8 pm departure, but hey that's living in Sydney in 2011 if you want to go to hip and happening places!

To say that we were blown away by the food, service and value is a complete understatement! The best food we have had in Sydney since Quay and miles in front of the last, ordinary (and extremely expensive) meal we had a Pier (from where the chef originates).

The service was unobtrusive, professional and very knowledgeable. None of that AbFab attitude that we received at MsGs the week before! A word of warning, we Know what you earn, so cut the superior attitude!

The liquid gnocchi consumme was mind blowing! Both fish dishes, the snapper with fried scales and the confit of blue-eye were gorgeous. We weren't going to have a dessert as neither of us have a sweet tooth, but I am soooo glad that we shared the vanilla egg dish. My God! the best dessert I have had since Tetsuya's back in the early 90's (ie when he was good!).

Anyway, completely amazing and I am trying to book again for next Saturday!

Jun 06, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.5 Below Average

Food  8      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  4     

I took a friend recently, on a Saturday night, who had never been here before. We asked for a particular table but we were told that we had to sit next to another couple, despite the restaurant being virtually empty (it was just after opening time). We were so close to the other couple that we had to engage them in conversation.

As soon as we sat down we were presented with menus. On opening the menus we were asked on six, separate occasions if we were ready to order. Staff hovered, waiting for the order. On ordering, the entrees were out within minutes, promptly followed by the mains (before finishing the entrees!). I was asked on four separate occasions if I had finished my meal, when clearly my plate was still full. Staff stood behind me watching my progress according to my friend. Excuse me for being a slow eater and wanting to enjoy my meal.

On finsihing my meal, the bill appeared immediately on the table. We had to scull our half filled bottle of wine before we were ejected from the restaurant. All in all, we were there no longer than half an hour! My friend was horrified and really the prices they are charging does not warrant this level of naked greed and rudeness from the staff as they attempt to turn the tables over at the speed of sound!

It would not matter how good the food is if you are treated like this!

Dec 13, 2010

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

I went for lunch last Saturday after reading all the raves on this site. They have a $15 lunch special on Saturdays and Sundays. I foolishly assumed that I would not get much in the way of sushi for $15, so I also ordered the blackboard special of gyozas (6 pieces for $8.80). The sushi arrived (8 pieces plus a tuna roll) and it looked meticulously presented.

There were inclusive side dishes of agedashi tofu (deep fried bean curd in a bonito soup), which was delicate and beautifullty flavoured, a side salad of mixed greens dressed with a soy/onion dressing and miso soup. It was huge and I really didn't need the gyozas! However, I am glad I had them as they are the best I have had since Tokyo, certainly the best I have had in Sydney.

Overall, I was very impressed and will be returning again very soon.

Dec 13, 2010

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Went last Friday in a group of 8. We took 4 mud crabs which the chef prepared in 2 ways, i.e. Singapore chilli and in a dry curry sambal. They charge $20 per person for this preparation. Both styles were excellent, however I had a definite preference for the Singapore Chilli, although others on the table disagreed. So it must be down to palate.

The crabs were served with roti canai and rice. The roti was fantastic and as I am a slow eater I only managed to get one. Will order more next time. We also had the kangkong belacan, chicken satay and an absolutely sublime tofu dish in a spicy gravy. The tofu is made on the premises and it was one of the best tofu dishes I have ever had. Overall, a very impressive experience.

Dec 06, 2010

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  6     

A somewhat chaotic night (service wise) was saved by above average food. Definitely the best Japanese restaurant in Newtown and it will become a regular haunt if the food standard remains this high. I put the chaotic service down to teething problems (it has only been open for 2 weeks). The lady serving who spoke perfect English was a shining light in the sevice fiasco. Loved the scallop sashimi and the tuna tacos.

Mar 08, 2010

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

I dined here last Friday with some friends and we were all somewhat unsure given the negative reviews on this website. I had previously dined at Sean's Paranoma (mother restaurant) and was totally blown away by that experience, so I found the negative reviews confusing. I am a person that eats out frequently in Sydney, so it takes a bit to get me really excited. My meal on Friday was beautiful.

The BYO policy ($15 per bottle) enabled me to take a lovely bottle of French champange, which we probably wouldn't have had if we had to order it from the menu. It teamed perfectly with my fried blue swimmer crab entree, which was the best entree I have had in Sydney for some time. The serving was extremely generous and it was served with a lovely garlic alio.

For a main I had confit of duck served with Puy lentils, fig and brussel sprout leaves, again it was perfect! Two large, perfectly cooked hind quarters. My friends also raved about their courses and I observed that they were equally generous. Unfortunately, we had no room for dessert.

Given our experience, I cannot believe that people are griping about the size of the servings! We were all struggling to finish and we are definitely not super models! All in all a fantastic experience.

Mar 11, 2008