Modern Japanese cuisine with shochu or cocktails is a fine art at Tokonoma Japanese Restaurant and Bar in Surry Hills.
One of the only Sydneybars to serve Japan's native shochu-based drinks, the trendy and ambient Tokonoma Bar and Restaurantalso offers amazing Japanese-styleseafood.Here, a unique contemporary dining experience awaits you.
Tokonoma Bar and Restaurant is conveniently located amidst central Sydney in the trendy hub of downtown Surry Hills. This is where Sydney's beautiful people frequent for after-work drinks and weekend catch-ups - and with flattering low-lit gold tungsten lighting we're all beautiful people, darling! As the venue of choice for events by glossy magazines GQ and Vogue, local celeb spotting is possible. Aussie starlet Ruby Rose lists Tokonoma amongst her favourite eateries, and if Madonna came to Sydney, London's trendy Zuma would surely be in danger of second place on her business lunchtime list.
Sydney's Tokonoma Bar and Restaurantis definitely a dining nightspot of the times. Certain anonymity is granted with their trendy high booths so grab one if you can - then feel like you've reserved your own private dining room complete with a private bar. Enhancing your dining pleasure is smooth timber-lined decor, house DJ designed music, cocktails infused with fruits-of-the-world and, of course, beautiful waiting staff to help with your dining selection.
With divine cocktails, good food, and conversation flowing, the rest of the room is soon forgotten. For a more traditional buzzing atmosphere there is also a table dining area. Waiting staff are exceptionally fun and friendly, and impressively informed about the Japanese menu. The menu lists items from a selection of the bars within Tokonoma, and Toko, the sister bar and restaurant next door.
Drink: Very new to Sydney, and what Tokonoma proudly pours best in the city, is the native Japanese shochus and tonics. I'm talking antioxidant aplenty and no calories. Try the blood orange and honey tonic, otherwise known as pure heavenly liquid bliss on rocks of ice. Or for something fun from the bar, try a Rabuba martini with a divine infusion of rhubarb and passion fruit cocktail - your taste buds will thank you.
Eat: The Tokonoma dining menu highlights fine selections from the sushi bar, robata grill, the signature tasting menu, and outlines meat and seafood dishes aplenty.
Many Sydneysiders recommended I try the dish called ‘hiramasa no sashimi to karikari buta' which translates as ‘kingfish sashimi drenched in truffle oil, feathered with fine pork belly crackling, and baby shiso', which translates as ‘extremely worth trying'.
The Japanese miso marinated black cod is a favourite dish of mine, and Tokonoma's ‘hata no saikyo-miso yaki' certainly lived up to my hopeful expectations. Ever so blackened and perfectly crisp on top, the succulent flesh of white codfishmade my mouth water on sight alone.
A red meat selection called ‘Ami yaki ro-su niku no wafu sauce' is a great dish to try, presenting as petite cubes of juicy scotch fillet steak soaked in glorious wafu sauce and garnished with garlic crisps.
The dessert list shows creative twists on the usual offerings of brulee, pudding and fondant. How can one not try a pear and white chocolate spring roll accompanied with sesame brittle and pear sorbet? It's easily washed down with a fine dessert wine.

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