Had the pleasure of being invited to the pre opening tasting at Ginza House, a new Japanese restaurant opening along the ever bustling Oxford Street at Bulimba a few weeks ago. Adam was also invited, and we decided to go together after I finished work. Although Bulimba isn't too easy to get to via public transport, it was undeniable that the ferry ride was a very enjoyable way to unwind.
Arriving at 6pm, we were promptly seated and met a few other local instagrammers. I liked the bright and simple decor, but particularly the flowers on the roof.
Our menu that evening was elaborate, nine courses to showcase the very wide range of their menu. It was quite the experience.
Our first dish was the chirashi salad. Fresh and crisp, it was garnished with a light vinegarette for taste. The vegies were very crunchy and provided a good base. I wish there was a bit more fish in the salad though.
Second salad was the Shabu Salad. With a comparatively heavier taste profile, the greens were again fresh and tasty. The beef was in more abundance than that of the fish previously. It was thoroughly cooked through, whereas I would have liked a tataki option. Sweet soy dressing was also a lot stronger than the earlier salad.
Next up we had a serve of Agedashi Tofu. Three smooth silky parcels of goodness lightly battered and deep fried, they were served with a light dashi broth topped with bonito flakes. Lightly chilled, the dish was refreshing and enjoyable.
Next was the highlight of our meal (to me), the Sashimi selection. Comprising of Tuna, Salmon and Kingfish, half of them were cured and half were fresh. Portions were generous and thick cut. My favourite for the evening was without a doubt the Salmon. Being a traditionalist, my favourite was without a doubt the fresh variety, however cured was an interesting alternative with a stronger seafood flavour that wasn't overly fishy, I definitely wouldn't mind having it again.
Following this, we had bacon and scallop. Adam is a huge fan of bacon, so he was understandably excited. The scallops were tender and caramelised well, but the bacon was a little underdone in our books. I found the differences in texture behind the two elements to be the highlight of this dish.
Interluding with a hearty bowl of miso soup, it was warming and comforting.
Leading into the braised fish, this was the teriyaki salmon. This was definitely char grilled to perfection, I really enjoyed the slightly toasted edges. Coupled with sweet teriyaki glaze, it would have made for a wonderful accompaniment to rice.
Second of the braised fish dishes was the miso cod. Smaller in portion than the salmon, it was topped with asparagus, cucumber and served on some delicate bread sticks. The soy flavours in the dish was definitely far more pronounced and the flavours a lot richer and creamier than teriyaki. The fish was also a lot sweeter as well.
Our next course comprised of some Osaka sushi and cube sushi. I was really excited to try the Osaka inspired ozizushi type dish, prepared in a box and cut up to serve. Layered with mackerel, cured salmon and salmon roe, I really enjoyed it and was glad to see something like this available in Brisbane. The cube sushi came out topped with delectable slices of fresh fish, but I wish it was sliced a little thicker.
Moving onto the tempura course, this was fairly standard. The prawns were lightly battered and crispy, vegies were also fresh and retained their moisture. They were unbelievably hot, and cooled with tempura dipping sauce, we really enjoyed it.
Finishing off with a highlight, this was the Ishiyaki, literally stone grill. It consists of having an extremely hot stone (heated from the oven, with a slight heat retention from the candle below) placed on your table with extremely marbled wagyu beef and served with dipping sauces. The meat was extremely tender and soft with a melt in your mouth texture that is coveted by all. It was the perfect way to round off the meal.
Espresso and Matcha were invited guests of Ginza House, but as always, our opinions are solely our own.
Value: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Environment: 8.5/10
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