Restaurant Review: Rise, Kings Cross

When the lovely Penguin says Feed Me! reviewed Rise in Kings Cross and declared it one of the best value degustation menus in Sydney I immediately put it on my list of places to visit. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday night's they reduce their degustation menu to an excellent $48.

I'll be honest and say that I am writing this blog a couple of weeks after our actual visit, so you are probably best heading over to Penguin's place for a detailed description of the food. I'll confine myself to some general impressions of the evening.

You get seven excellent courses for your money. Each dish is pretty small, but over the evening it leaves you pleasantly satisfied without being over full. The restaurant styles itself as Japanese fusion, and I was impressed with all of the fusion elements. We had Italian pasta, with tortellini making an appearance. There were definite French styles of cooking in the roast duck breast with grilled witlof. Pan-Asian influences made an appearance, with Thai tom yum soup and Chinese sausage sneaking into different dishes. It was inventive, but importantly well executed.

The waiter was very knowledgeable about the food; describing the ingredients, flavour combinations and textures in the dishes he placed before us. He had clearly eaten, and enjoyed, the food that the restaurant serves. I think it makes a big difference when you have well trained staff.

My one disappointment of the evening was the lack of atmosphere in the restaurant. Speaking to our friendly waiter he told me that Sunday night is their busiest day for the special offer so I'd suggest going then.

Enjoy the food porn below......

Steamed chicken, tofu & tomato salad with sesame miso

Tom Yum style soup with scallop tortellini & mussel

Fresh sashimi

Cured ocean trout with "yuzukosho" tartare, soy milk flan & shitake sauce and rice paper rolls of tuna and avacado

Grilled polenta, prawn tempura, Chinese sausage and chunyan chilli sauce

Roasted duck breast, grilled witlof, mushroom and mash with Hoisin sauce

Daily changing desert