Some things in life just make you happy! Some things can make all your days worries disappear and the world’s problems just melt away. A lot of the time these things are the simple things in life. In this case the simple thing that has made my soul so joyously glee has been food.
I really enjoy food! That really goes without saying because you don’t get to being my size or especially the size I was without loving food generally. But I have a special appreciation for really, really good food, so when I heard my favourite restaurant, Zushi, was opening a second location I was thrilled.
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| Zushi, Crown Street, Surry Hills |
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| The very funky interior |
I watched their facebook page and their website for updates and eventually the big launch day was announced. And then something awesome happened! I was invited to along to their opening night!
All day long all I could think of was the glorious food I was going to be in close proximity to and what I should choose from the menu. I wondered if the menu would be the same as the one I was familiar with from their Darlinghurst restaurant or if Surry Hills would have special offerings of its own. To wait was near on to torturous.
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| Celebratory Bubbles |
When we finally arrived I was impressed that on street parking was easier than it normally was at Darlinghurst, that may have been the location or it may have been that it was a Monday night, when one of the fabulous owners handed me a glass of celebratory champagne it was like the bubbles danced on my tongue just to tease my tastebuds into readiness for the forthcoming feast. Mr TDP busied himself taking photographs of the new restaurant while I found myself a gorgeous table outside under the stars and settled in with my champagne and the menu. I wore just a t shirt but it was a gorgeous Sydney Spring evening last night and I had no problems with the cold or anything. There was an outdoor heater nearby if required but we didn’t need it.
In the end while there were a couple of things on the menu I hadn’t tried before Mr TDP and I were sharing and he refuses to eat raw so we stuck to some of our absolute favourites and I wasn’t disappointed.
I admit when I went in I expected a sense of chaos. After all this was the very first night this restaurant was in action and there was someone on every table but the waitresses didn’t miss a beat. They knew their stuff, had memorised the menu and they were very attentive. The chef / chefs were also amazing! The food came out just as good as anything I had previously enjoyed and come to know at Zushi. If they had any first night hiccups or they were struggling then we certainly knew nothing of it.
To start I had the Crispy Scallops which are Scallops wrapped in Nori Tempura Deep Fried with a leek, chilli & wasabi mayonnaise. The quality of the seafood has always been second to none (Seafood being my favourite food) and this was no exception. The light crisp of the Tempura with the juiciness of the scallop is pure pleasure. The Mayonnaise that comes with it is refreshing and has the subtle heat and bite that comes from the chilli and wasabi.
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| Crispy Scallops |
We followed this with the along with the Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab with Ponzu Sauce. I can’t pass up good soft shell crab any day of the week and the Ponzu sauce is a watery, but sweet, citrus type sauce that is the perfect compliment. It comes with 4 pieces and as I was busy closing my eyes and moaning about exactly how good it was I found myself in a fight over the last piece of soft shell crab because Mr TDP was enjoying it as much as I was, however a lot quicker.
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| Soft Shell Crab |
Next of the list was Mr TDP’s favourite main the Zushi BBQ Beef. It’s like the most thinly shaved pieces of high quality beef which is seared in a special “Zushi Secret” BBQ sauce. When you place this steak in your mouth it literally falls apart. I cannot begin to describe……..
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| Zushi BBQ Beef |
And finally my favourite main Seafood Tempura. It’s a mixture of seafood in a light tempura batter along with some vegetables and a Ponzu and Chilli dipping sauce. It’s pure heaven on a plate. There was some beef left when this arrived so I madly pushed that over to Mr TDP so I could make an immediate start and I almost dove full body into my first prawn. When you eat this the first thing you get is the tang from the Ponzu sauce and a bite from the chilli, then there’s the slight sweetness to it that comes through as you feel the crunch of the tempura and the explosion of the prawn which is incredibly juicy and so full of flavour. Obviously never frozen and probably caught that morning.
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| Oops I ate the Seafood Tempura too quickly for Photos So this is Vegetable Tempura |
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| Dodgy iPhone shot of my Japanese Cocktail |
Mr TDP took the opportunity to grab some final photos while I finished off a cocktail whose name I have completely forgotten but I am thoroughly blaming on the copious amounts of Japanese Plum Wine & Sake it contained.
Then as Mr TDP was still shooting away (My night off obviously) the waitress asked if I’d like some dessert so I may have ordered Strawberry Tempura which is Strawberries stuffed with milk chocolate dipped in a tempura batter and served on vanilla bean ice cream. I meant to share it with Mr TDP but it was so yummy, and he was gone such a LOONGGGG time.
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| Strawberry Tempura |
I hope I haven’t dragged on too much. As you can probably tell this restaurant is the bees knees. No they haven’t paid me to write this post. Yes I will be back as often as I possibly can and Yes I highly suggest that you go and experience it for yourself rather than reading my poorly written review. You honestly cannot go wrong.
The New Zushi is located next door to The Winery at 285 Crown Street, Surry Hills. But if you prefer the Old Zushi you can check them out at 239 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. (Hint:- If you go to Darlinghurst save some room for Gelato from the place next door)
♥ TDP
xoxox
I thought I was going to be screwed trying to do this one which is how I ended up with a whole pile of photos. I thought the last time I had a photo with my brother was more than 10 years ago and it's terrible (We had an awesome night though) But then I remembered we did a family shot at our Engagement party earlier this year. Plus I threw in some of the extended family for good measure. And forgetting my furkids would be a sin.