Military Road in Neutral Bay hosts a wealth of restaurants and locals are truly spoilt for choice. Amongst them all is Toshiya, run by owner Toshi. With a simple black exterior and a modest and quiet interior, it’s easy to overlook Toshiya when looking for somewhere to eat.
But you really shouldn’t. Toshiya is an amazing dining experience, with head chef Toshi-san exploring modern Japanese and a mix of other cuisines sprinkled throughout the menu. In time for Summer, the season of Christmas work lunches, dinners, New Years celebrations, and long overdue catch ups.
If you’re looking for somewhere for a group dinner, consider Toshiya. The new degustation menu is only $49 per person, with a huge amount of dishes.
Our dinner started off with the Warm Chicken Salad and Yuzu Dressing. Juicy chicken and a basic Japanese style salad, this is just a hint of the flavours that are yet to come.
Next up was the Sashimi Tacos. The crunchy shell is a tempura batter that gives a unique texture. The mixed sashimi filling is smooth and fresh, with a slight creaminess. Very refreshing if you’ve decided to sit outside in the sun.
The Pan Fried Scallops can be cut just by looking at them they’re so soft and tender. Don’t miss the topping either, it’s a bite of crunch and an added burst of texture, drizzled with a balsamic sauce.
The Silverfish Tempura is best described as a Japanese fish and chips. A dish that’ll make anyone happy, even the fussiest of fine diners. Pillowy fish encapsulated in a herbed shallow fried batter, add the lemon for a sharp flavour kick.
Slathered with a generous serving of allioli – a Catalan style garlic infused oil based sauce – the Kingfish Carpaccio is thinly cut with an impressive level of skill. With a zesty tomato acidity, again this is another Summer perfect dish.
The next dish that came out was the Soft Shell Crab Volcano Roll and the Seared Salmon Roll. Both come with spicy sauces and the salmon and crab sit atop baby avocado rolls. The crab is blow torched as well to give it a beautiful smokey flavour.
While the salmon is accompanied by a spicy miso sauce and Japanese mayonnaise, the soft shell crab is paired with a spicy oil. Most people either eat the dish they like most first, or last (so the last bite is the most delicious of course) but when this plate comes out you’ll find yourself at a loss of which roll is better!
Fans of gyoza and deep fried foods rejoice, it’s totally OK to combine them into Tempura Gyoza. It’s just like eating a giant dumpling, but they’re regular sized so you get all the joys of over indulging without actually doing so. Meaty, piping hot, and deep fried. What more could you ask for?
Mixed Wagyu Beef and Vegetables is one of the two main dishes. If you eat as a pair, you’ll be able to pick from the wagyu or the Orange Roughy (below) whereas if you come in a group of three or more, you’ll be able to try both! The wagyu is succulent and tender, with a very distinct “wagyu” flavour.
The Grilled Orange Roughy comes with vegetables with a sesame dressing and the Japanese style salad. It’s a very wholesome and family style dish. Soft and falling apart, if you haven’t had this fish before it’s a great way to be introduced.
Then finally we have dessert.
Choose from Matcha Green Tea, Black Sesame, or Azuki Red Bean Ice Cream, served with a small selection of fruit. Surprisingly, the black sesame goes quite well with rockmelon. It brings back the Japanese style of the restaurant nicely at the end to tie up the meal.
Served over roughly 2 hours, this is a sit down meal to catch up over, celebrate something, or intimately get to know someone new!
Not a couple? Hold you work Christmas or New Years lunch at Toshiya!
**BONUS**
One of the highlights of the a la carte menu is the 40 Degree Salmon, served with a number of condiments including a soy sweet sake sauce, a porcini and bacon mix, parsley and walnuts, beetroot, and the incredibly delicious saikyo miso it’s sitting on. It has the consistency of smoked salmon and you absolutely do not need utensils to cut it up. This isn’t on the degustation menu, but it’s both Toshi-san’s and our recommendation if you’re picking individual dishes!
WashokuLovers
