Tokyo is located in Surrey Hills, Sydney. Looking rather inviting from the street we were excited to enter and experience what they have to offer. It's a large restaurant with a large central communal table, an interesting layout that works well if you like communal dining. Thankfully we had a small window seat, the chairs were wooden boxes which is very in-keeping with Japanese decor and cuisine.
The service was prompt and to the point, there is a casual atmosphere, it's perfect for a night out with friends. Maybe not so ideal for a romantic dining experience as it's a busy restaurant with a lot of tables packed in tightly.
We decided to sample a couple of pre-dinner cocktails. I ordered the 'Rabuba', which was mixed with Rhubarb Sake and Los Altos Blanco, shaken with Passion Fruit and Homemade Spice Syrup then served up in a Martini Glass. The rhubarb sake had a slightly sour taste, it worked well. My partner ordered the 'Fig Martini', mixed with Figlette infused Belvedere and stirred with Fig Essence and Nectar, served with Spiced Figlettes. Simply divine, and we could easily have order another.
"Another splendid example of Japanese cuisine."
To begin we shared a serving of Tai No Sashimi to Karikari Buta, which is thinly sliced Wild Snapper, Truffle Oil and Pork Crackling. We also couldn't resistant sampling another couple of cocktails, preferring this over wine on this occasion. We ordered the 'Lychee and Jasmine Mojito', mixed with Lychees and Mint, hard stirred with Havana Club 3 Year and Lime, served long with Chilled Jasmine Tea and Club Soda. A delicious drink and it went down well. We also ordered the 'Natsu Mai Tai', mixed with Pineapple Infused Woodford Reserve, blended with Toko Mai Tai mix, Pineapple, Lime and Bitters. Served over crushed ice, and another good example of how a cocktail should taste.
Moving onto the Sushi menu we ordered Aburi to Umeboshi no Unagi Nigiri, served with Unagi, Torched Foie Gras and Umeboshi. As well as Ebi to Spicy Maguro no Futomaki, served with Prawns, Spicy Tuna, Cabbage and Picked Daikon. The Sushi is superb and cannot fault it in any way.
For our main courses we ordered Hotate no Jalapeno Amazu Zoe, a spicy dish with Robata Grilled Scallops, Sweet Pickled Apple, and Jalapeno Garlic. A collection of flavours that made this dish outstanding, it didn't take me long to clear the plate. My partner ordered Butabara Bara to Kojichan Miso, prepared with Double Cooked Pork Belly and Spicy Korean Miso. The pork belly was superb, it's easy to over cook such a dish, but this was perfect.
Finally we ordered the Rhubarb Crumble Nihonshu Shabetto Zoe, chilled Rhubarb-Macadamia Crumble, Vanilla Custard and Apple Sorbet. A personal favourite of mine is Rhubarb Crumble, and this gets a seal of approval from me. We also had their Torokeru Chocolate and Hazelnut Fondant with Milk Ice Cream, another delicious dessert and a fine end to a wonderful evening.
