Tsunami Japanese Restaurant, Mosman Park, September 2009
A couple of weeks ago T and I were keen to catch up and try out Tsunami (18 Glyde St Mosman Park WA, Ph:(08) 9248 7788 http://www.tsunamisushi.com.au/index.html), which we had both heard good things about. It was a Friday night and we chose not to book (we had already discussed going elsewhere if they were full), and after some initial confusion at the front desk, T and I and another party were shown to tables in the outdoor section of the restaurant. It was cold, but we were keen to stay so were seated near some gas heaters. Although the staff were very attentive and quickly made up tables, I was somewhat surprised that seemingly this was the first time in the evening anyone had thought that people might be interested in the outdoor area given that the restaurant was booked out. Oh well, T and I had plenty to discuss so we weren’t unduly concerned.
Perusing the menu was lots of fun. I was in the mood for seafood but nothing raw (yes I know I know, get over it, its very ordinary these days for Japanese and non-Japanese to enjoy raw flesh, but I am still new to meat eating so for me it’s a mind thing) and T wanted to try something served on the house specialty - lava hot rocks. The rating system on the menu included:
- not recommended
- recommended; and
- highly recommended.
This is the first time I have ever seen a menu describe their own food as “not recommended”, but we found it refreshingly honest!
Of course we avoided those dishes - in particular I remember natto was not recommended (smells like old socks, only order if you are Japanese) and the teriyaki chicken (I am guessing this is something very ordinary and the chef is insulted by the idea of people ordering an ordinary item on an extraordinary menu). After some consideration, T went for the wagyu beef because he has always wanted to try it. I found it hard to make a selection actually, because eel and roe was prevalent on the menu (not things I want to try just yet), as were raw dishes, and dishes involving mushrooms, and although fried food is simply delicious I am really trying to avoid it at present. My toss up was between the salmon and seafood (including fish, prawns and scallops) served on the hot rock…. however that dish only rated a recommended so in the end I decided to go with the highly recommended salmon (served with vegetables and noodles) and side of miso soup.
I noted that Patagonian toothfish was on the menu, something I am very uncomfortable about given how much pressure that particular fishery has been under from illegal fishing and it’s very specific ecological requirements. Right at the end of the menu there was also a list of FAQs for the restaurant, which dealt with everything from “is the chef Japanese?” (apparently he is) through to “why is there so much merlot on the wine list?” (because the manager likes it) and plenty of other entertaining questions.
After about 20 mins of menu fun, we were able to order after catching the eye of one of the wait-staff. Clearly the wait-staff were under pressure, throughout the night, but when they were at our table they were attentive and helpful, kept replenishing water (and wine for T) over the evening and generally treated us well. However I do know that people on surrounding tables were having difficulty getting the attention of wait-staff and felt a rather forgotten outside. The food wasn’t too long in coming actually, maybe about 20 mins after ordering actually.
The hot volcanic rock was suitably impressive with lots of steam and sizzling noises. The kitchen had seared one side already and it didn’t take long before T had to take the meat off the stone or it would have been over-cooked. We were warned not to touch the stone and after seeing it I understand why. The steak was also served with rice and a small salad. My meal was delicious. The salmon was very fresh, covered in a citrusy-tasting sauce and served with green noodles, sweet potato mash and zucchini. I my opinion the freshness of the fish and the taste of the sauce made the dish. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and found the meal was enough to be satisfying without feeling of being completely stuffed. I also enjoyed the savouriness of the miso soup, and drank it quickly as no spoon was allowed (see the FAQ). T rated his wagyu (already conveniently cut into pieces to allow efficient chopstick consumption…. truthfully that is the first time I had ever contemplated the potential difficulties of eating steak with chopsticks) highly too.
T and I had a fantastic chinwag about life, the universe and everything (of course) and stayed for hours. After the heater had been burning for a little while we stopped feeling the cold and just enjoyed the garden surrounds. The fairy lights were also great as they provided plenty of light with which to see one’s dining companion, but provided a lovely ambience. Towards the end of the meal (our plates had long been cleared), I felt like something sweet and T decided to try his luck with a fortune cookie. However somewhere along the way our order got lost and we had to ask again. That was the only problem with service on the night, but it was a small thing so I am not holding it against them. After making a second request , our deserts arrived and we decided to call it a night. I am sure that the fortune cookie revealed something profound but I can’t remember what it was now.
We enjoyed our evening thoroughly. I would recommend Tsunami for a smallish group special event. Atmosphere is important to them, which I enjoyed and it makes a nice change from the rowdiness of many other restaurants I often eat at. However, Tsunami may present difficulties for someone unused to Japanese food and not willing to try new flavours. Vegetarians are catered for but mushroom representation is high, so vegetarians who don’t like mushrooms might struggle.
