Yesterday we finally got to go to Saké Restaurant in The Rocks. We went there the other day to find out that they were fully booked and so we could either wait 45 minutes or make a booking. We chose to make a booking for the next day, which was yesterday. Confused? Me too!
Saké is a wonderful looking restaurant, with murals and decorations adorning the walls. My kind of artwork. Simple and uncluttered. I think I should have been born Japanese! (btw, I think my next house is probably going to be decorated in a Swedo/Japanese style 
). I did however find the place a little intimidating. This isn’t their fault of course – it’s just that the country bumpkins have not had much experience with these kind of restaurants. I feel like a bit of an idiot going over the menu in intricate detail to see what I can eat. Don’t get me wrong – I love Japanese food, but neither Caro or myself are particularly into raw meats, and that is predominantly what Saké serve. It pretty much ruled the sushi out completely. I did see them making prawn tempura rolls, but I could not find them on the menu.
The food that we did have however, was amazingly tasty, and I certainly would go back there again, once we’ve recovered from the $130 bill! (Caro of course pointed out though that while $130 for two might sound high, it’s still cheaper than the $145 meal for one at Rockpool! (Sorry Neil, I love your cooking, but seriously $145?))
Not pictured is the sake that I had. Now I’m not much of a drinker, and I’ve had sake before and didn’t like it, but I had figured that what I’d had was cheap and nasty sake. I was willing to give it another chance so I ordered a tasting glass (60ml) of Amabuki Daiginjo ($9.50) described as “a delicate balance of banana, passionfruit and anise with a floral finish.” – Well, I guess I’m not a sake drinker. It was nice enough, and it smelled wonderful, and was not nearly as harsh as the cheap stuff I’d had before, but ultimately it’s still rice wine, and I guess that’s not part of what I consider nice…
On to the food. The first course was prawn dumplings ($16). So very pretty. So very tasty (and bursty). I could have had many more of these!
Next up was the Panko Rice Balls ($10). These were very nice, but I think I would go for something else in future given the choice. For me they just lacked something (perhaps meat!).
Next, the ever so tasty and succulent chicken kushiyaki ($8). What else can I say but beautiful!
Popcorn shrimp ($25). Absolutely amazing. I commented that we have to make this at home. It shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out the ingredients! Perhaps sweet chilli, mayo and panko fried prawns?
I also got talked into a miso soup ($5). I’m glad I did. I’m discovering that I like things here more than back home. I like miso soup, but it’s something I can only have when I’m in the mood. This one however I could have all the time. This was so mild and smooth – which is the exact opposite of what I’m used to – strong and harsh (and despite that I still like the SA version!)
Another amazing course was the chicken teriyaki ($25), which was absolutely tender and wonderful. We had this with steamed rice ($3 each), and we just kept spooning the sauce onto the rice once the chicken was gone! If it wasn’t for the fact that we were in a restaurant, I think I would have slurped up the rest of the sauce from the bowl and gnawed the remainder of the chicken from the bone!
For dessert, Caroline had the green tea cheesecake ($13). I had some and it was pretty damn good. Although we did wonder about it’s cotton candy “hair”…
IT’S ALIVE! Seriously though, it was very good, even the “hair”!
I had the chocolate fondant with black sesame tuile and white sesame ice cream ($15). The pudding was lovely, but you get a surprise when you break it open. Inside is the most amazing sauce with little red beans floating around in it. In fact there is a red bean on the top of the pudding in this picture. When I tried to get it with my spoon the whole roof caved in like it was made of lava! The ice cream was also lovely, but the other surprise was the sesame tuile that tasted very much like popcorn, and it was a very welcome surprise.
Look at the oozing goodness of that! YUM!
LOCATION
Saké Restaurant & Bar
12 Argyle Street
The Rocks
Sydney
Tel: (02) 9259 5656
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Mmm, popcorn shrimp looks good,going to have to look for that on a menu next time I eat out.
Everytime I see a picture of miso soup I crave it and end up having it for lunch the next day!
Mmmmm, popcorn shrimp. Your comment made me come and look at it again and now I want to eat it again!!
Me too!
Mmm, popcorn shrimp!