Sakura Japanese Restaurant

As my previous reviews may show, I’m a sucker for awesome sashimi. I’ll forgive dodgy décor, cold wait staff and inconvenient locations any day for this.
Sakura’s staff aren’t really all that cold, just a little disinterested, but the rest is true. And the sashimi is AWESOME. So fresh, so tender, so succulent, so should be in my belly right now.
If you’re in the area, or just in the mood for awesome sashimi definitely go to Sakura.

My favourite Highgate Hill spot for Japanese food. This is one of the top 5 Japanese Restaurants in Brisbane I reckon. Not for the look (looks a bit daggy) and not really because of the position (nothing special), but for the sashimi.
The sashimi is all delicately cut and even the best will tell you that it’s all in the cut (just watch Masterchef) and the produce tastes like they’ve literally fished it out of the ocean the second you place the order (but they haven’t, because they’re in Highgate Hill). I have been there with friends a few times, we’ve found the staff to be very welcoming, very fast and friendly as well, even if they aren’t the best at the english language.
The dishes are okay here, they will compete with the best, but the sashimi is what they have to offer that sets them apart from the rest. They have a range of Japanese beers (Yebisu), Sake and a few other types of alcoholic beverages that will catch your fancy.
One of the interesting facts about Sakura, is that they allow you to purchase a bottle of Sake, and if you don’t finish it, will hold it for up to 6 months for you so you will definetely come back… very very interesting!

I went here last night in a group of four and found the dining experience quite enjoyable, but I’m not sure I’d go back in a hurry. For some reason, I found the menu a little difficult to navigate and consequently, we all went about ordering in a slightly odd way.
Two of us liked the look of some of the entrees, of which there is an extensive list and decided to order five or six between us. The other two ordered a main each and three entrees. So all the entrees came out first and there was heaps of food, so we all shared it. We were all quite full after this, so when the two mains arrived (Pork Katsu and Chicken Katsu) there wasn’t much space. I tried the pork and it was a bit dry, but the portion was a decent size. I was definitely pleased I’d ordered starters and not gone for one of the mains as there wasn’t much choice.
Out of the starters I tried, I recommend the gyoza and the tempura scallop. The soft shell crab sushi rolls were good too.
In terms of ambiance, it’s not bad and the wait staff are very attentive and friendly. Per head it cost us $ 45, including two drinks each, so the pricing wasn’t too bad. I give it 3 stars – nice, but not outstanding.

My friend’s dad is Japanese and whenever I ate with their family at Japanese restaurants, he would always be wearing a disapproving frown. Because food in Japan is so cheap and fresh, he had high expectations and wasn’t happy with any of the Japanese restaurants in Brisbane. Sakura was his only exception.
The chefs and waitresses are all Japanese, and the food is authentic. The portions of each dish are modest, but this is typical of Japanese cuisine, and there is always more than enough for each diner to pick at and share.
My friend’s favourites were the nato and steamed egg with infused seafood, which was smooth and subtle. The menu is a bit on the pricey side (entrees start at $ 10, and mains are priced up to $ 32), but it’s well worth it if you’re after an authentic Japanese dining experience.
The restaurant itself is a bit tricky to locate and easily overlooked. Perched on Gladstone road beside Brisbane State high, Sakura is a cosy little inn where you can sample a tasty range of Japanese bites and beers.