Picture: Sea urchin tempura from Kisuke
Washoku Lovers now has quite a few restaurants, and as staff we think it’s important that we visit our restaurants regularly and keep up to date with their specials menus. A dinner here and there keeps our tummies full and morale up! Last week we headed to Kisuke for seafood and fresh fruity desserts.
The restaurant is a 15 minute bus ride from the city (272, m40, 343) with a bus stop right across the street from the restaurant. With the indoor seating flowing seamlessly into outdoor seating, and also with a bar that sees into the kitchen, you can pick your preferred atmosphere. Suitable for intimate first dates or large groups, Kisuke is able to accommodate for all diners.
Picture: Prawn cakes served with lemon and matcha salt
Our entrees were picked from the specials menu, which is displayed above the open kitchen. Prawn cakes and tofu were brought out one after the other with good timing. The prawn cakes were a highlight of the night, served with matcha salt and a slice of lemon. Crispy on the outside, full flavoured, and served fresh off the grill, it was a great introductory dish. The tofu was served with a Kisuke special sauce and topped with crunchy sesame puffs. Thinly sliced raw onion and lettuce give a kick of freshness to even out the silken texture of the tofu.
Picture: The tofu dish delivers an array of textures; crunch, cream, crisp.
For the main course, sea urchin tempura with chili grated radish mixed into a soy based sauce, and a large mixed sushi and sashimi platter were a great combination. If you’ve never had authentic tempura (and you may not know you haven’t), it’s a lot lighter than other deep fried foods. The batter is crisp and thin without being oily. The sea urchin was wrapped in fish before being fried. The flavour is greatly enhanced by the accompanying dipping sauce, which I would recommend letting the tempura soak up a little bit before eating.
Picture: Mixed sushi and sashimi platter
Sushi and sashimi platters are usually expensive and small, but Kisuke’s chef selections which change depending on availability are generous in the number of pieces given. Including all the regulars like salmon, kingfish, and prawn nigiri, the standout is definitely the fatty tuna otoro mixed with spring onions inside out sushi roll. The spring onions bring out the quality of the fatty tuna which is a specialty in and of itself. I would suggest caution though, some of the nigiri comes with wasabi while others don’t, so pick up the fish and check first if you’re not a fan!
Flash your Washoku Lovers membership for a free dessert – yuzu sorbet. House made, the yuzu flavour packs a punch of citrus and the sorbet is refreshing on a hot night. The contemporary dessert still reminds you that you’re in a washoku restaurant thanks to the cute wooden spoon and traditional bowl it’s served with. You can also pick from green tea, black sesame, or tea ice cream for dessert (but why would you when you can get free yuzu sorbet!).
Picture: are you following us on Instagram?
Kisuke is a great casual or fine dining restaurant depending on what you order. We recommend picking from the specials menu as it’s a little bit unusual and adventurous. The outdoor seating is beautiful at night so head there for a romantic date!
Tuesday – Sunday: 18:00 pm – 21:30 pm
Address: Shop 2/ 56-58 Frenchs Road Willoughby
Phone: (02) 9967 8878
Booking Policy: Welcomed
WashokuLovers
