The Bonsai Restaurant & Cafe Lounge
Open for nearly four months now, The Bonsai Restaurant & Cafe Lounge offers a unique Japanese experience, plating up tapas-style dishes known as ‘izakaya‘ in minimalistic style. The building is beautiful, with high ceilings and exposed bricks which provide a warehouse look. Next to the counter a display window of sweet treats and birthday cakes are presented in neat little rows, while on the walls, two large LG LCD TVs showcase Chef Hiroshi Sugihara’s array of dishes.
Regarding the booze, The Bonsai is currently BYO only – a liquor license is in the process of being acquired. They hope to have one in the forseeable future.
The Interior
One of the display TVs
The Bonsai’s Xmas Set Menu ($55.00) was on promotion between 4 – 26 December this month. We went there on Boxing Day to try it out.
The 5 Course Xmas Set Menu comprised of the following:
Tasting Plate to Start
Broccoli and Miso, Tahini Tomato, Potato SaladSashimi Inspiration
Nori-Scallop, Salmon Bites, Ponzu Maguro on AvocadoDeluxe Sushi & Nigiri Mix
Tamago, Californian, Duck Nigiri, Salmon NigiriSpecialty Mains
Meat Craving
Teriyaki Scotch Fillet Steak
or
Seafood Delight
Patagonian Tooth Fish
Sweet Ending
Coffee or Tea Selection
Just for Xmas Cake Dessert
Starter 1: Broccoli and Miso, Tahini Tomato, Potato Salad
Our first starter was a cold dish of three items – broccoli in miso mayonnaise, sliced tomato, asparagus and cherry tomatoes in a sesame seed paste, and a salad of potatoes, grated carrot and onion and mayonnaise caked together – it looked a lot like a cat fish.
The broccoli was crunchy with the miso mayonnaise adding some sweetness. The tomatoes were crispy and sweet while the tahini added a bitter lingering aftertaste. The potato salad was creamy and textured with a hint of acidity from the onions.
Broccoli and Miso, Tahini Tomato, and Potato Salad Starter
Potato Salad
Broccoli and Miso, and Tahini Tomato
Starter 2: Nori-Scallop, Salmon Bites, Ponzu Maguro on Avocado
Similar to the first starter, the second plate was also served cold. The nori-scallop was soft and juicy and was complemented with a round slice of cucumber and a topping of seaweed. The salmon bites were small diced cubes that melted on the tongue. Lastly, the maguro was cooked ever so slightly around the edges and was pink in the middle. The ponzu added a slight tartness to the fish, while the fresh creamy avocado cooled the palate.
Nori-Scallop, Salmon Bites, Ponzu Maguro on Avocado
Salmon Bites
Ponzu Maguro on Avocado
Nori-Scallop
Starter 3: Tamago, Californian, Duck Nigiri, Salmon Nigiri
The third starter was a sushi and sashimi plate. The tamagoyaki – layers of cooked egg rolled together – were milky soft and a little bland. The duck nigiri was pink, moist and tender, the salmon nigiri was chewy, and the californian sushi pieces were great.
Tamago, Californian, Duck Nigiri, and Salmon Nigiri
Tamago “Egg” Sushi, and Salmon Nigiri
Tamago, Salmon Nigiri, and Duck Nigiri
Californian Roll
Mains: Teriyaki Scotch Fillet Steak and Patagonian Tooth Fish
The Patagonian tooth fish looked like a piece of modern artwork. The skin was a light golden brown and crispy, while the fillets were soft and just melted in the mouth. The Teriyaki fillet steak was ordered “medium”, and had a wonderful smokey, sweet, and salty flavour. Unfortunately it was a little hard to chew. It was still good though.
Patagonian Tooth Fish
Teriyaki Scotch Fillet Steak
Dessert: Chocolate Ice Cream Cake
For dessert we each had a chocolate sponge log that was filled with ice cream on the inside. The sponge was thin as air and soft, and the ice cream had a nice bitterness to it.
The menu indicated that tea or coffee would be provided but we were never offered them as an option. I didn’t know about it until I came home and checked the menu online!
Chocolate Ice Cream Cake
Overall we enjoyed our three-hour dinner and could have easily done away with the starters and just stick with the mains – there was so much food. The mains alone were enough to get us to come back. My one major criticism about our experience The Bonsai is that the cold dishes were not prepared to order. I actually believe that they were pre-prepared and kept in a fridge beforehand. This was evidenced by the fact that the starters were served on ice cold plates. I really have a strong distaste for pre-prepared dishes. But with dislikes aside, I must admit the starters were unique and offered a variety of flavours which were quite nice.
The Bonsai Restaurant & Cafe Lounge
Address: 30 Roe Street, Northbridge
Tel: +61 8 9227 5756
Web: www.the-bonsai.net
Opening Hours
Lunch
Tuesday – Friday (11:30am – 2:00pm)
Dinner
Tuesday – Sunday (6:00pm – 9:00pm)
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