When Saké Restaurant & Bar first began in The Rocks back in 2008, celebrated chef Shaun Presland was a major factor in its success. Now Saké is one of the biggest Japanese restaurant names in the country, with venues up and down the east coast and a tremendous following and things are about to take a new evolution now that Presland has returned to the helm, after leaving a few years ago to travel and work around New York, London and Tokyo. This obviously means some major changes for the group, and the menu, with Shaun serving as resident chef at The Rocks’ restaurant as well as executive chef for Saké brand.
The evolution of Saké also comes at a time of incredible growth for Rockpool Dining Group, which just opened both Jade Temple and Rosetta in Sydney CBD, a new Fratelli Fresh a bit further out in Entertainment Quarter, and has plans to push a few of their brands into the Los Angeles market in the near future.
New dishes on the Saké menu channel Presland’s energetic blend of flavours, with starters including the Spencer Gulf hiramasa kingfish sashimi served with coriander and jalapeno infused sweet ponzu; creamy cape grim beef tartare with fried egg puree and Hokkaido milk bread crisps; and an interesting low-carb (and completely non-traditional) bondi roll, which is a roll of assorted sashimi that has been rolled in fresh salad vegetables (yep, no rice in that sushi roll).
Also on the menu is nasu dengaku with twice cooked, umami infused eggplant that has been grilled with tama miso; agedashi tofu with daikon sprouts, mushrooms and shiitake dipping sauce; chicken shiokoji with yuzu pepper, daikon, ponzu and crispy fried onion; teriyaki lamb chop with basil miso and rosemary infused dark miso sauces; and Cone Bay ocean barramundi with mushroom ohitashi, umeboshi sauce and fresh shiso chiffonade.
And before you freak out, the kitchen has kept the very popular Dragon Egg dessert but given it a little bit of a twist with yuzu, strawberry, cream and miso caramel.
For all Sake Restaurant & Bar locations head to their official website HERE.
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