tokosan

The latest offshoot is to occupy the Toko site on grungy, cool Grenville Street is tokosan, the younger sister.

This is a more casual Japanese bar and restaurant, appealing to a Gen-Y crowd, with a menu that includes cocktails named after Kill Bill characters. The vibrant interior features multi-coloured umbrellas suspended above the bar area and graffiti-style wall art.

Easy for sharing, the street-style menu starts with an assortment of sushi rolls, such as katsu prawn. Bowls and stir-fries are made to order with your choice of noodle – soba, ramen or udon. Tapas-style dishes include a seared tuna sashimi – cubes of tuna, lightly seared on the outside with a purple raw interior, doused in a yuzu and truffle dressing. Thick cubes of sweet miso eggplant and a subtle chilli are served hot. Larger dishes include a flounder karaage. The whole fish is crisp fried and served as a bowl to hold the pieces of deep-fried fillet, as much a spectacle as it is a taste.

PSST! Check out the back area with the massive undercover beer garden and ask about their karaoke bar.

Reviewed for the 2019 Guide