sushi-e

By Franz Scheurer

Hidden behind Hemmesphere on the 4^th floor of the Establishement you find sushi-e, home to some of Sydney’s best sushi. Screened off from the cocktail bar area, a rectangular room holds a rectangular counter, with three chefs working quietly in the centre, showing off their knife skills and sushi-making dexterity. Skill levels are high, the produce is first rate and there are plenty of choices.

As soon as you take your seat at the counter you are offered a wet cloth and the menu, your drink order is being taken and before you know it you feel pampered and relaxed, sipping sake from a tiny bamboo cup.

You might want to start with ‘spoons’, 8 porcelain spoons each containing a little delicacy (4 kinds, 2 of each) a mix of traditional and new style Japanese appetisers or, especially on a hot day, order ‘edamame’, fresh salted soybeans in the pod, served chilled. (Terrific with an Asahi Dry) Then go on to sashimi or nigiri sushi, either ordering ‘sets’ or ‘a-la-carte’. I like to leave it up to the chef to simply feed me till I’m full. This guarantees a more interesting meal and a chance to try many different flavours and textures. The ‘unagi’, (grilled eel) is absolutely stunning and I won’t forget the incredibly creamy texture of the ‘ika’ (cuttlefish) for a while. If you like hand-rolls you have a choice of close to twenty different kinds and there is a good selection of traditional Japanese hot main courses, too.

A reasonable sake list, a good wine list and a superb range of local and imported beers complete the picture. Service, both from the chefs and from the floor staff is excellent, friendly and caring. They look and act smart and match the after-hours business crowd very well. Value for money is good and the ambience is surprisingly relaxing considering the amount of customers, at any given time.

I’ll be back!

Score: 8/10

For more information or bookings:

sushi-e

Level 4

252 George Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Tel.: 02 9240 3041