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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.
The Velo Project is a unique café and design space on the Sunshine Coast. Inspired by a desire to create, a graphic designer and costume designer have collaborated ideas, and the results are an ambient artistic hub with perfect coffee and gourmet food in the backstreets of Mooloolaba, The Velo Project café and design space.
Located on Careela street, a few alleys back from Moololaba’s famous main beach; the stroll to this enchanting gourmet eatery is worth every step. A new concept for the Sunshine Coast, The Velo Project combined design space and café have newly opened their doors in February 2012. Décor and design is completely compelling for a coffee moment or lunching or designing mood. Diners sit in an open-plan, al fresco setting amongst art and collectable which hold a lovely worldy and strongly retro Parisian influence. Old type-writers , 1920’s sketches, and retro sewing machines sit by modern artworks with an impressive attention to detail. Tables are grouped together to create a community and welcoming atmosphere. The Velo Project is the kind of place you could sit with your warm coffee and easily write a novel for a very long time.
The Velo Projects menu is elegantly written in the language of Francoise, and easy to interpret. Gourmet healthy meals are on offer, with tasty cakes and delicacies on display, and amazing coffee aromas serenade the senses. Organic produce is for sale in large fridges on the back walls, and throughout the café.
I recommend a visit to The Velo Project to anyone wanting to be inspired, enjoy a good coffee, write a novel, taste amazing food, work on designs, buy organic produce, write a song, design a houte couture outfit, sip a chilled drink, enjoy life and be free.
careela st 19, Mooloolaba QLD, Australia
Contact tel: 0754448693, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Australia's Gold Coast is famous for neon lights, stripclubs, and for being an overall bling-tacky-bling city, so finding the Verve Restaurant with a charm and sophistication completely opposite takes me unaware, and reminds me that stereotypes are always fun when broken.
Nestled in the backstreets of Broadbeach Waters, the Verve eatery is situated in an area just far enough from the main drag to see distant flashing lights, and quiet enough to be a surprising elegant delight for passers by. From a dark pathway outside, I look in through an open-air window to a vibrant hub of a warm glowing atmosphere, buzzing with energy. Friends are chatting together after post-work days, and colleagues laughing into the night in pleasantly small groups. Charismatic tungstens highlight a slightly oriental décor; I'd call it ‘cosy-mod.' Deep ruby red walls, trendy bamboo lightshades, a central wooden Buddhahead art peice, and the comfortable feeling that comes from wooden tables and a pure white candlelit table setting. The dining area is large enough to absorb group energy, at the rear is the bar, and behind this an open window previewing the kitchen, where Chef and staff are hard at work creating fine delicacies for the evening.
Shelly Greaves, the welcoming owner, smiles a lot; she is happy. Greaves tells me reservations are recommended here, as the place has become not such a best-kept-secret. Glancing at a wall adorned with awards, I can imagine that would be so. From the wine list I sip my Ferngrove Merlot (byo is allowed) and read that the Restaurant and Caterers Association 2009 gave The Verve an accolade for Best Informal Dining. Head Chef Jay Jorgensen won the Gold Coast Signature Dish twice, and this is proudly displayed along the walls, beside about ten other winning and finalist certificates.
On presentation of a modern cuisine menu (European principles with Asian influences,) I spy fresh oysters for starters; always a safe choice when close to the sea - which I am by about 500 metres. I can feel the salt in the air.
For Entrée I order pan seared scallops, which are indeed succulent, however my vote goes to my guests choice; Ricotta, Pea and Pistachio Dumplings - Ooh the words makes my mouth deliciously water, this entrée truly is divinity in a dumpling. My dinner guest does well choosing a main from the recently updated menu; Market fish. This arrives as a serving of scallop and bacon boudin blanc, with du puy lentils, soy beans, kombu and tomato froth selection - simply delectable (I taste this as well, it's my duty). I believe I choose the winning course; roasted duck breast. All the soft pieces of meat are tempura-ed together into a brick - no bones. Rare-cooked slices are layered on plate. Potato is pressed into a cube of palate ecstasy, then cinnamon orange and cardamom poached pear pieces accompany the duck, and jus gras juices complement everything on my plate.
The desserts were too hard to decide upon, so we shared Coverture white chocolate bavarois with cherry sauce and flambé Italian meringue, and Roasted Stone fruit with passion fruit glace and chrysanthemum flower syrup. Melting in mouths. There is a cheese board listing 8-10 cheeses from around the world, but we are too full...
The Verve is a Sophisticated award winning restaurant, reasonably priced for a fine dining experience. I would recommend this eatery to anyone who wants to live in the now, unwind in a happy, vibrant atmosphere, listen to suave sounds and laughter, be reminded that life is good, food exists for pleasure and restaurants exist to remind us of that - well, this one certainly does.
I am an avid Aikido fan (Japanese martial arts) and after a training session I'm usually pretty hungry and I make a habit of visiting my favourite restaurant in beautiful Byron Bay - Kinoko Sushi Bar & Restaurant. Established in 2007 and located in the heart of Byron in Jonson Street, a few shops down on the left after you turn right at the roundabout and head up the main street. Kinoko Sushi Bar and Restaurant serves up a modern twist on the Japanese cuisine in a clean and contemporary environment.
Their dishes range from innovative sushi, delicious share plates and fusion inspired main meals. The Kinoko staff is there to welcome you to enjoy warm and relaxed hospitality, and it remains a popular favourite amongst the diverse and creative locals of Byron Bay.
The sushi is fresh and interesting and well presented by authentic Japanese chefs. It's always just right for me. I really love the seaweed salad. Vegetarians are well catered for, not just a token. Complimentary jasmin tea, spiced ginger and wasabe always available. A changing cast of attractive backpacker waitresses from all over the world are a feature and always friendly and attentive. You can eat from the sushi train or order a main meal. It's not a large restaurant, so it does get pretty packed. Plenty of drink choices. If you're a fan of sushi it simply doesn't get much better than this.
Fully licensed
All major credit cards accepted
Gift cards available
Feros Arcade
7/23 Jonson St
Byron Bay NSW 2481
11am-9pm (Winter trading hours)
11am-9:30pm (Summer trading hours)
7 days a week
Phone: (02) 6680 9044
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