Toko Restaurant & Bar

Address: 490 crown street, Surry Hills

Arigatou gozaimasu. ありがとうございます

My birthday is in August and this year was a milestone (well in my mind they’re all milestones but this one ended with a zero). I celebrated by going on a holiday with my two sisters. It was fabulous. And with the month just about over, my final birthday present was in site… the annual birthday dinner with one of my friends.

I knew it was going to be fun. Their birthday last year (which also ended with a zero) included cocktails at Hemmepshere, dinner at Sushi E, followed by more cocktails and finished the night with a cigar. Won’t be having a cigar again. Learnt that lesson.

They take me to Toko Restaurant & Bar in Surry Hills and enter a dimly lit Japanese haven. I love it. We are seated on one of the elegant booth seats, surround by honey coloured curved, sleek wood interior. I scan over the cocktail menu and decide on a Fig Martini, made from fig infused vodka, fig essence, sherry and garnished with two home glazed figs. It is strong and delicious. By the end of the night I have another two. I figure if I'm on to a good thing, why change.

Being people who don’t like making decisions on food we order the tasting menu. A excellent option. Toko offers Japanese food and cocktails at its fine-dining best, I would rate Toko above all other fine Japanese restaurant and bars in Sydney, beating Ocean room, Sake and Sushi E.

But that is all from me for now, I have to go… I’m on the lookout for fig essence.






Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale





See for yourself: http://www.toko.com.au/index_surryhills.cfm

Sake Restaurant and Bar

Address: 12 Argyle Street, The Rocks

For gods sake…

Having enjoyed a birthday lunch here earlier in the year, I was looking forward to going back to enjoy the cocktails that Sake has to offer with Shinkansen, Astro Boy and Bang on! being my personal favourites.

I call ahead to ensure there is room for my group at the bar, we arrive and after trying to explain to the hostess “no we don’t have a booking we are just here for some cocktails” (a concept she could not quite process), the phone rings and the hostess holds up her palm, in front of my face to stop me from talking and says "excuse me can you just wait" as she proceeds to answer the phone… Excuse me… Are you serious… You. Are. Not. In. New York. Honey!

We are finally told we can sit at the tables near the bar, (more like the naughty corner) where we wait for someone to take our order, and then wait a little bit more. I’m not the most patient of people so I eventually give up and go place our order (lucky for me it was worth it as a cute barman serves me).

Loving everything Japanese I do enjoy Sake’s well designed Japanese layout which is both open and inviting. However, when you're looking forward to a dash of cinnamon in your cocktail you’re not expecting a dash of bi#@h as well.

Don't get me wrong, I'm an absolute fan of the food and cocktails that Sake has on offer, but the hostess needs to lose her power trip and remember… Darling, you're working at a cash register, no need for the attitude!

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.sakerestaurant.com.au/