IZAKAYA YEBISU
10/501 George St,
Sydney CBD
In an artistically graffiti-lined mall on George St down near Chinatown, you’ll find this popular Japanese eatery. It is obviously well patronized by (mostly) Japanese diners, which has to be a good sign! As we approached, the place appeared lively and busy, with outside tables full but still plenty of inside table options. We were there for lunch on a Saturday and the menu was presented on a touch screen at our table which was a bit of fun! As we were newbies here, the staff were helpful in explaining how it worked and offered some useful suggestions from the menu.
The dishes here are ideal for sharing, which we love. It’s a great way to enjoy lots of different tastes and experience more things. The wine list is extensive, with loads of different Sake choices. As this is also a Sake Bar, we felt the need to sample the brew. Dame V chose a Riyujin no Yuzu Sake (a refreshing lemony soda combination) and Dame M had the cold Ippin Sake. A shot glass in a lacquered box arrived at the table and the Ippin was poured into the glass until it overflowed into the box. This display is in fact a traditional show of Japanese generosity!
Our first dish was the Yebisu Lunch Box. This was not so much a dish as a mini buffet. It contained such a variety - lovely sushi topped with fish roe, salads, miso soup, tempura and dipping sauces.
Then part 2 of this lunchbox arrived – fish and scallop sashimi, teriyaki salmon and a deliciously marinated beef! Everything was so fresh and tasty and there was plenty of it! Next on the list was a Japanese beef Curry & Rice with Pork Cutlet. We couldn’t stop eating this rich and tasty curry. It wasn’t spicy at all but so full of flavour. On top was a sliced crumbed pork cutlet which was a delicious crispy complement to the dish. Loved it!
Having noticed a special on the menu for Tempura Ice Cream, we had to give it a go. The coating was unexpectedly crisp, puffy and sugary with soft ice cream oozing from the middle. Yum! A great finish to an excellent experience.
Izakaya Yebisu is a buzzy, great little place to grab a bite to eat in the city. Open 7 days from lunch till late it is not visible from the street. You have to look for it but it’s obviously popular. The food is good and servings are generous. Sake lovers will be in heaven. There is a really trendy, casual atmosphere and we certainly enjoyed the experience.
Those Dames, who review for Sir and Mlady Dine Out, dined as guests of Izakaya Yebisu. Special thanks to Yuri from Washoku Lovers and SD Marketing for inviting us.