Surrounded by boughs of cherry blossom, twinkling lights and some early warm spring Brisbane weather it’s not hard to imagine the beauty of Japan as it celebrates sakura.
Of course the northern hemisphere is heading into autumn, but at Saké Restaurant and Bar this month they are celebrating the century-old Japanese tradition of picnicking under the blossom-filled cherry trees with a wishing tree and a special cherry blossom festival banquet menu, all until September 30.
Head Chef Shinichi Maeda (pictured above) has created the cherry blossom festival dishes synonymous with Japanese spring flavours, complemented by sakura-inspired cocktails and traditional sake offerings.
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| Cherry Blossom Bento |
It’s easy to get into the feeling with a few Cherry Blossom Festival cocktails such as a Blossom Martini ($17) or Cherry Elixir ($18). The Cherry Blossom Bento at lunchtime ($45) makes a great meal to share between two.
My only problem with Japanese food it that it looks so good on the plate I don’t want to spoil the picture by eating it, however I’ve never walked away from a Japanese restaurant hungry so obviously I get over it.
Shinichi’s Cherry Blossom Menu ($88) is no exception and the dishes all look like works of art but taste a lot better. While there’s a good sprinkling of raw ingredients, those who prefer their meal cooked won’t be disappointed with the line up.
The menu includes Sunomono snow king crab and fresh tomato consume & bonito jelly, Sashimi selection sashimi with wasabi & soy; Aji fry fried yellow tail mackerel and eggplant with creamy prawn sauce; Wagyu dumpling steamed wagyu & ginger dumpling &spicy ponzu dipping sauce; Yose tofu premium organic un-pressed tofu served with cheery blossom salt; Lamb neck slow braised lamb neck with apple & soy jus served with bean sprouts; Oshi sushi and miso soup traditional Japanese oshi-sushi with snapper, salmon and Kinome herbs.
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| Aji fry fried yellow tail mackerel and eggplant with creamy prawn sauce |
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| Yose tofu premium organic un-pressed tofu served with cheery blossom salt; |
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| Lamb neck slow braised lamb neck with apple & soy jus served with bean sprouts |
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| Japanese oshi-sushi with snapper, salmon and Kinome herbs. |
Often dessert Japanese style is a bit of a letdown, but the Strawberry roll cake fluffy sponge cake centered with sour creamed strawberries, strawberry and macha dust, is a delicious masterpiece.
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| Strawberry roll cake fluffy sponge cake centered with sour creamed strawberries, strawberry and macha dust |
www.sakerestaurant.com.au/brisbane
Kerry Heaney
Disclaimer: Ed+bK was a dinner guest at Sake.
