4 December 2012

MAGIC PREVIEW AT EBISU

The best part about my job is I get to share the inside stories of the food world. Last week I was privileged to get a sneaky preview of the new Ebisu menu.

Ebisu is my first choice of restaurants in the smart Britomart precinct (although Hanoi is a pretty close second.) Also I need to add here that I cannot believe once again Aucklanders have been duped. That 'smart Britomart' is not nearly as appealing now the centre has been filled in with permanent buildings - a wonderful open space once again lost forever. Shame on the Auckland Council planners' stupidity and the developers' greed.

But on with the food; Ebisu has a sushi master, Yokio Ozeki who has joined chef Murray Wiblin in the kitchen. I can't tell you more about him yet, but I can report his 'new style mixed sashimi platter' pictured above would do itself proud in a top Japanese restaurant. I consider myself qualified to say that as I have just returned from two weeks of top-end eating in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Yamashiro.

Like so much of the feasting encountered on my Japanese epicurean adventure, the food on this new Ebisu menu is elegant, beautifully presented and tastes oh-so-light and delicious. Don't miss the wagyu dumplings in a spice sauce with roasted almonds, the tiny square of very authentic tonkatsu pork belly, the scampi tempura with ponzu which almost floated up from my plate and the yakitori lamb fillets with spicy miso that may be the most tender lamb I've eaten anywhere.

To finish there's a stunning sesame ice cream with cherry macaroon - perfect food for seasonal eating as all rightful Japanese chefs will offer. Don't miss this experience. And here's a tip; Ebisu's new shochu bar opens very soon - in the place where Precinct was.

Ebisu, 116 Quay St,(an entrance off Tyler St, too) T 09 300 5271