LOCATIONSaké Restaurant & Bar is part of the heritage Argyle Precinct in The Rocks, close to Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art’s bus stop and only 5 minutes walk from Sydney’s CBD. Located on Argyle Street, the front doors are right next door to The Argyle Steps and Cut/bridge.
DETAILSOffering a contemporary take on traditional Japanese cuisine, Saké Restaurant & Bar cleverly serves up inspiring dishes using the freshest ingredients and complemented by an exclusive range of Japanese sakes. Under the watchful direction of sushi guru Shaun Presland (Executive Chef) whose goal it is to constantly work with his team to create new flavours, Sake is sure to delight lovers of Japanese cuisine. Sake offers a number of options - you can order à la carte or from Saké's range of set banquet menus. A great option for late night diners in Sydney’s CBD, last night orders stretch through to 10:30pm each evening, and on Friday and Saturdays, the Saké Cocktail Bar offers a bar menu until 1.30am. The atmosphere at Saké is always buzzy and the staff experienced and friendly, ensuring a welcoming and enjoyable visit.
FUNCTIONSSaké is ideal for stylish events and launches, private parties or corporate meetings and conferences. There are four different private dining rooms to choose from. The ‘Bonsai’ private dining room seats 20 at a large communal table and has screened sliding doors for extra privacy. The ‘Cherry’ and ‘Blossom’ private dining rooms both seat 8 and are divided by slatted wooden walls that overlook the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. The ‘Kampai’ private dining room comfortably seats 34 and can be divided into a number of different configurations to suit your individual needs.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAIf you’ve been wondering where Sydney’s star sushi chef has been for the past 18 months, wonder no more: Mr Shaun Presland (of Sushi E and Nobu Atlantis fame) has put his name to one of Sydney’s most exciting restaurant openings – Sake Restaurant and Bar. Occupying a heritage-listed building on Argyle Street in Sydney’s historic Rocks area, and boasting decor created by Luchetti Krelle Design, Sake is a zone that somehow transcends time, seamlessly blending old with new and traditional with modern. Split into several areas – a casual front bar, private dining rooms, a traditional Japanese sunken area, a sushi bar and a dining room – this spacious 240-seater restaurant is rich in variously-textured timbers, metallic bronze and teal features, as well as dynamic design elements like a feature wall made with traditional sake barrels.
Like its name (and barrel-wall) suggests, Sake Restaurant and Bar has a predisposition towards the Japanese rice wine. In fact it has one of the largest selections of sake in Australia sourced exclusively from the boutique, 300-year-old family-owned
Kozaemon brewery. But with an army of superstar sushi chefs manning the open kitchen, the food menu steals an equal share of the glory. Brining together different styles of Japanese cuisine, it offers meals meant for sharing. If you’re a fan of raw fish there is a world of sushi and sashimi for you to choose from – even three different cuts of tuna (
akami, chu toro and
toro). If you’d prefer your food a few degrees warmer, the crunchy goodness of crispy chicken karage can be enjoyed with three zesty dipping sauces. Alternatively
kushiyaki (grilled skewers) of various meats and seafood might get your palate thrumming. Among the larger meals, the butter-soy salmon offers a compelling array of textures and flavours. There are also baby bentos for the children and, of course, a dessert menu.
Agnes Gajewska