Fresh sashimi only at Matsuri
February 12th 2008 01:26
Address:
614 Crown Street
City:
Surry Hills
State:
NSW
Postcode:
2010
Telephone:
02 9690 1366
Email:
If there was one valuable thing an old boss showed me, it was Matsuri Restaurant. And even though she packed up, cited bankruptcy and left her employees with 2 weeksÃÂ unpaid salary, I will always be grateful to her for Matsuri. For 9 years now, IÃÂve been coming to Matsuri for some good, quality Japanese food and it never fails to deliver. The fact that the restaurant remains crowded and busy on a street that has no shortage of great restaurants and bars is a testament to MatsuriÃÂs popularlity.
Ambience
The restaurantÃÂs décor could be best described as ÃÂno-frillsÃÂ. The place is quite small with a clutter of small, wooden square tables and chairs on white tiles. No elaborate paintings, no music, no impressive lighting, just ceiling fans in place of an air-conditioner. The right side of the restaurant is dominated by the long kitchen filled with staff bustling about in a quiet, efficient manner, dressed in simple white t-shirts & black-pants. Despite that, or maybe because of it, the restaurant has a casual, laid-back atmosphere usually frequented by couples, families or an intimate group of friends. Not the kind of place where you feel self-conscious if youÃÂre using the cutlery properly.
Service
Fast, efficient and friendly without the fakeness. With only 2 people in a party, you can pretty much have your orders within 30 minutes of being seated. My hubby and I usually book for 6pm Friday night and usually have our orders within 15 minutes. I have come in a couple of times with a large group (13 people) and both times we received our orders no later than 45 minutes, even during the busy periods.
Food
I usually have the miso soup and share a tempura platter to start with, followed by teriyaki beef with rice and tuna & salmon sushi & sashimi combination. Or the impressive-looking sushi boat for the main course, only available to those who have reserved in advance. For me, the fresh salmon is definitely the highlight of MatsuriÃÂs menu. ItÃÂs always fresh and never fails to generate that eye-rolling-to-the-ceiling and little moans at the back of the throat ÃÂ orgasmic experience as my sister would say. The desserts menu have expanded from green tea ice cream, making way for green tea cheesecake and red bean sweets.
Downside
This place gets REALLY busy during lunch and Fri/Sat nights so bookings are essential. To book for a large group, youÃÂll have to book at least 2 weeks in advance. ItÃÂs also slightly off-putting to be always told upon booking to leave by 8.30pm whenever you book for a 7-7.30pm dinner.
The lady I used to deal with, the owner perhaps or wife of the owner, has also left. I was used to hearing her cheerful greeting and the way she would say ÃÂokayÃÂ with the high-pitched lilt at the end and to not see her after 9 years was a littleÃÂ weird. But the service and the food didnÃÂt seem to have changed.
The prices are a little higher than what you would normally pay for in any Japanese restaurant (except perhaps TetsuyaÃÂs). Between my husband and I, we fork out around $80 for entrees & mains. But in the 90 or so times IÃÂve been to this restaurant, I am yet to get a bad meal and/or service so IÃÂm glad to pay up extra, knowing IÃÂll always walk away, my appetite fully sated.
Ambience
The restaurantÃÂs décor could be best described as ÃÂno-frillsÃÂ. The place is quite small with a clutter of small, wooden square tables and chairs on white tiles. No elaborate paintings, no music, no impressive lighting, just ceiling fans in place of an air-conditioner. The right side of the restaurant is dominated by the long kitchen filled with staff bustling about in a quiet, efficient manner, dressed in simple white t-shirts & black-pants. Despite that, or maybe because of it, the restaurant has a casual, laid-back atmosphere usually frequented by couples, families or an intimate group of friends. Not the kind of place where you feel self-conscious if youÃÂre using the cutlery properly.
Service
Fast, efficient and friendly without the fakeness. With only 2 people in a party, you can pretty much have your orders within 30 minutes of being seated. My hubby and I usually book for 6pm Friday night and usually have our orders within 15 minutes. I have come in a couple of times with a large group (13 people) and both times we received our orders no later than 45 minutes, even during the busy periods.
Food
I usually have the miso soup and share a tempura platter to start with, followed by teriyaki beef with rice and tuna & salmon sushi & sashimi combination. Or the impressive-looking sushi boat for the main course, only available to those who have reserved in advance. For me, the fresh salmon is definitely the highlight of MatsuriÃÂs menu. ItÃÂs always fresh and never fails to generate that eye-rolling-to-the-ceiling and little moans at the back of the throat ÃÂ orgasmic experience as my sister would say. The desserts menu have expanded from green tea ice cream, making way for green tea cheesecake and red bean sweets.
Downside
This place gets REALLY busy during lunch and Fri/Sat nights so bookings are essential. To book for a large group, youÃÂll have to book at least 2 weeks in advance. ItÃÂs also slightly off-putting to be always told upon booking to leave by 8.30pm whenever you book for a 7-7.30pm dinner.
The lady I used to deal with, the owner perhaps or wife of the owner, has also left. I was used to hearing her cheerful greeting and the way she would say ÃÂokayÃÂ with the high-pitched lilt at the end and to not see her after 9 years was a littleÃÂ weird. But the service and the food didnÃÂt seem to have changed.
The prices are a little higher than what you would normally pay for in any Japanese restaurant (except perhaps TetsuyaÃÂs). Between my husband and I, we fork out around $80 for entrees & mains. But in the 90 or so times IÃÂve been to this restaurant, I am yet to get a bad meal and/or service so IÃÂm glad to pay up extra, knowing IÃÂll always walk away, my appetite fully sated.
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Comment by Maribeth
Sydney Restaurants
Comment by Maribeth
Sydney Restaurants