Looking for somewhere new and suburban lead me to the recent Good Food guide list of cheap eats (http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/food/news/sydney-and-melbourne-s-best-cheap-eats-named). After a decision to stay suburban, have something not too unhealthy, not overly expensive, and a nice family place, Izakaya Jiro stood out. It could well be that they are (accidentally or not) using the same name as probably the most famous sushiya in Tokyo. I must admit that is what drew my attention first - and if they are quietly doing this, then good marketing strategy. A few reads of reviews finalised the decision for a quiet Sunday evening out.
Upon booking, I selected to be seated upstairs at the barbecue section. It isn't a smoke-filled meat room with loud beer noises. In fact the main table was occupied by a group of middle-aged well-dressed Japanese women enjoying their barbecue and the occasional "hai, chiizu" photo opportunity.
- Ika yaki (grilled squid garnished with white radish, spring onion, mayonnaise & ponzu sauce) - nice combination of textures and flavours. A light starter and nothing that will fill you up;
- Okonomiyaki - a thin, modern version of the messy thick circular disks of tradition. The flavours were there and good, but it just didn't seem satisfying;
- Agedashi tofu (deep-fried tofu dipped in light soy sauce topped with bonito flakes) - thin shell of tofu with a tasty sauce I could drink from a bowl;
- Nasu dengaku (roasted eggplant topped with red miso) - one of those dishes I plan to make one day. Not the best version I've had, but still reasonable.
The grill part was pretty standard compilation of cylindrical white hot coals with a pristine silver cooking grate. None of the dishes were marinaded in any kind of sauce, which made it a little disappointing for variety and kind of expensive when you consider how much per kg you are paying. The ingredient quality was still good, as you'd expect nothing less. They are served with three different sauces to pick from, of which the clear best was a thick miso-based paste. Delicious.
- Assorted seafood (4 prawn, 4 squid, 4 scallop, 2 fish) - good quality and fresh;
- Chicken Thigh - a waste of money I think, considering you pay the same for a weight of better beef cuts;
- Ox tongue;
- Rib-eye;
- Tenderloin - the softest and most enjoyed of the meats.
The food is nice, the drinks menu looks interesting and it keeps you in the accessible Eastern suburbs. Not cheap, but you can enjoy a nice relaxing evening here in good company.
