My father has an innate sense of borders. There is a certain perimeter he won’t breach in his car and it spans about 10 kilometres around their house. Outside of that makes him nervous and so when I suggested a Japanese restaurant for my mother’s birthday in Meadowbank which was in truth only about 30 minutes drive from us, I felt his jaw tighten and him tense up. Expecting this immediate rise in tension I quickly added “We’ll drive us all there!” and he visibly relaxed. Crisis averted!
Sorenzo, set amongst what look to be new apartment complex developments, was a Japanese restaurant recommended to us by Mr NQN’s sister Amaya and her husband Laporello. They live nearby and urged us several times to visit. A few checks on the internet confirmed that it was a hidden gem and many talked of their special deals. There are set lunch meals such as the ladies lunch set meal at $30 or a businessman’s lunch set meal at $37. Each weeknight has a theme to it whether it be a Romance Tuesday, Mother’s Wednesday, Food Tasting Thursday or Thanks Father Friday with little extras given away each night. We’re dining on a Saturday night and there isn’t any theme that evening.
Amuse bouche
We start with an amuse bouche which is a three parter plate to share given to all diners. It comprises of an avocado mousse with tiny watermelon cubes, kingfish sashimi with orange segments and a wagyu roll with cherry tomato. The squirt of avocado mousse with the watermelon has an orangey flavour to it and goes more towards the sweet than the savoury. The kingfish sashimi is fresh but perhaps has a bit too much orange as the orange overpowers the kingfish a little. The wagu roll served on a toothpick with a slice of cherry tomato is soft and a lovely little morsel.
Service is fine dining Japanese style and they’ve perfected that Japanese style of deferential service where they anticipate needs. Water glasses are filled readily and nothing is ever too much trouble and the courses come out in a timely manner without a long wait in between.
Foie Gras with Barramundi $22
The entrees come out first and the foie gras with barramundi is rich, slightly sweet and unctuous. It reminds me a bit of unagi (roasted eel) in the texture of the fish and the foie gras lends it that jellied, custardy quality. It sits on a round of sauteed daikon radish and the white powder is said to be teriyaki truffle powder but we try this by itself and it doesn’t add very much or taste very strong.
King prawn with wasabi aioli $16
At our request the king prawns were upsized to a portion of four rather than the standard three as there were four of us. They were sauteed rock prawn, shimeji mushroom, salmon caviar and pesto sauce. The prawns are cooked well and come with deep fried shimeji mushrooms in a very light batter, some pearls of salmon caviar on a paper thin radish slice and a pesto sauce and the whole plate is ringed with a thick, sweet teriyaki style sauce.
Dinner box $40
We ordered this dinner box mainly for my father as he doesn’t eat raw fish so this box gave him a good mix of cooked items such as fish, tofu, vegetables and the wagyu (all of their wagyu is rated 5) as well as salad, rice and some sushi and sashimi. It comes out as a two tiered box with a great variety of flavours and textures. The highlight is definitely the toothfish which if we visited again we would just have to order on its own. The toothfish or the black cod is known for it’s utterly ambrosial buttery texture and here it is wonderful and just melts easily in the mouth. The tofu is also a highlight with its slightly sweet sauce and the wagyu is tender and comes pre sliced into strips. The sashimi and sushi is generously portioned and fresh and there are also crunchy tempura vegetables.
Sashimi Zen $40
The plate that we were just itching to see again arrives in a cloud of smoke and dry ice looking a little like a spaceship landing until the cloud dissipates and reveals a glistening serve of fresh sashimi. There is a fantastic variety of sashimi here and we can’t help but be a little awestruck when we see how much sashimi there is. For $40 this would have to be the most generous serving of sashimi we’ve seen in a long time and it’s a little like scaling a mountain. The kingfish is the standout for all of us followed by the salmon whilst the tuna has an unusually soft texture whereas we prefer the creamy bite of the others. The raw scallops, four pieces in total are soft and sit against a thin wedge of lime which starts to cook the scallop with the fruit acids ceviche style. And Mr NQN notes the wasabi here is excellent and upon enquiring we find out that the wasabi root is imported directly from Japan and is freshly grated to order. And before we know it, my father takes his first ever piece of sashimi. He pops it in his mouth, chews, swallows and nods and goes back for several more pieces. If you know my father, this was something of a minor miracle as he had steadfastly refused all manner of sushi and sashimi until now.
Sushi Lover’s Combo platter $30
The impossible-to-photograph sushi lover’s combo is plated on a long plate and features twelve pieces of nigiri sushi, including three pieces of aburi sushi (lightly blowtorched) and three pieces of soft shell crab sushi roll. They’re too difficult to split up so we all try our favourites and I try the eel, and some of aburi pieces. There is an aburi scallop with a coral shaded spicy mayonnaise on top of which is just dandy and the favourite although they’ve all got a generous blanket of sashimi and a neat parcel of rice underneath it. And my father happily eats some of this sushi too.
Green tea smoked supreme of duck with cumberland sauce $36
Our last savoury dish is another one that we ordered for my father. There are six pieces of pink hued duck that are served with a cumberland sauce. I like the duck as it is tender but the cumberland sauce verges a bit too much on the marmalade side for me. The risotto is made using Japanese rice so it isn’t quite risotto as one would expect. It has an ever so slightly sticky texture with a seafood flavour to it. It is served with grilled shiitake, shimeji and king oyster mushrooms. The risotto wasn’t bad but again it wasn’t quite what we were expecting.
Dessert assiette
The dessert assiette was a mix of their desserts. It featured a two creme brulees with a distinct floral aroma to them and a lovely thin toffee crust, a portion of rich chocolate cake with strawberries, some buttery vanilla chocolate chip cookies which my mother loved, a green tea mousse with strawberry topping which had a judicious amount of green tea in it and what ended up being my favourite, a coffee soaked layered cake with little chocolate “rocks” on top. I’d say this was worth the drive, especially if it had my father opening up his culinary horizons!
So tell me Dear Reader, do you eat sushi with raw fish? And if so, which one do you like best?
Sorenzo
Level 1, 1A Bay Drive, Meadowbank NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9807 8303
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53 Comments | Add your own
The sashimi spread looks really lovely. Sigh, I miss dining with my parents!
The sashimi zen is an event in itself – it’s spectacular! I like salmon and tuna “raw fish”.
ooooh I love sashimi!
Lovely post with great appetizing pictures of food, now finding it difficult to resist !
Definitely worth the trip!!! Happy Birthday to your Mom!
I use to live right in that complex and still never got around to eating there. Happy birthday to your Mother.
I love sashimi and that platter looks perfect……
A neighbourhood gem
Some elaborate plating going on there, especially the sashimi zen!
Oh I would be very happy with that sashimi platter all to myself. It looks delicious!
Looks great, but what sort of a name is Sorenzo for a Japanese restaurant? Interesting for a place like this to pop up in Meadowbank but it has matured over the years with the residential development.
I’m still squeamish about raw fish – I know the texture is the selling point but that is actually what bothers me
The duck looks very nicely cooked! Yum!
That food looks amazing. Will grab the Gregory’s!!Thanks for this lovely piece.
I am a very ‘modern’ gal and, generally a fusion cooking lover, but, being an old Kyoto cuisine hand, this is a little too much mixing of cuisines for me. I love the traditional way of Japanese cooking and serving – the fine slicing and more artful presentation on more special and varied plates/bowls. The sashimi platter WAS bounteous and appetizing and very good value! I could eat sushi/sashimi every day, methinks – the freshest of tuna is still a firm favourite!
That has to be one of the best looking sashimi plates ever!! I love sushi and sashimi – I eat it at least once a week!
The only raw fish I like to eat is tuna. I am allergic to quite a lot of seafood so I guess that doesn’t help. But I do adore raw tuna sashimi. The establishment rolls at Sushi E are my favourite of all time. The perfect ratio of fish to filling. And they also do a wicked Nasu Dengaku!
That combo sushi platter is the most amazing I’ve ever seen! I think I need to go and find sushi for lunch now!
We went to Sorenzo on Thursday night Lorraine! I love sushi, but I found the sushi there of a poor standard. They seem to get mixed reviews, and Frank and I obviously went there on an off night as the service was terrible and Frank’s wagu steak was of McDonald’s quality. So glad you enjoyed it though! x
We live right around the corner! We were really excited when it first opened but the pricing put us off – it was $110 or so for their degustation, which is ludicrous for neighbourhood pricing! Sadly, we never see more than a handful of tables on any given night but the fact they’re still open is a good sign I guess.
Hahaha My husband and I went to eat there around Christmas time and we LOVED it. We were looking for a Japanese restaurant not too far from where we live and after reading the reviews we chose Sorenzo. We had never had sushi before (crazy right?) and we loved it! The fish was so fresh and soft! We had wagyu steak as main (so tender!) and the same dessert as you… We thought it was great value for money… great quality too. The service was good. The waiters and waitresses were really nice and so patient to explain things in details. It was pouring outside when we finished our dinner and we had no umbrella! So one of the waiters took us right to our car from an internal door that lead directly to the covered parking lot! We thought that was a lovely gesture. We are definitely going back and recommend this place to everyone. I am so glad you liked it too Lorraine!
I usually don’t do raw but Pete does. I do however sometimes indulge in salmon though it is the only one.
I luuuurve sushi with salmon being my favourite sashimi. I’ve got the BIGGEST craving for sushi at the moment – when I pop this baby out in 6 months time, I’ve told hubby I want the biggest sushi platter he can find!!!
…I best stop drooling at your photos now
I love sushi and sashimi – favs are salmon and tuna! Now I am craving sushi!
A friend recommended this place to me too. I thought the name sounded Italian for a Japanese restaurant…maybe that explains the duck with risotto??
The sashimi platter does look like pure zen.
Im a sushi nut, crazy about it.The Sashimi Zen looks incredible. I am drooling. Hmmmm…. I wonder if Mr HG would be up for a feast of raw fish?
I love tuna, then salmon. Yummmmmm!
OMG, the “Dessert Assiette” is beautiful Art. One could frame the presentation to display in one’s kitchen. Absolutely Lusciously Decadent.. xx
Lorraine, it sure a great finding…all the dishes look fabulous and yummie. Enjoyed the pictures very much. Have a great week ahead
This is around the corner from a friend’s house, so we drive past it every time we visit them. I’m not a fan of sushi or sashimi, so a trip to this restaurant could cause a few problems for me when looking at the menu…although I’m sure they have a reasonable amount of non-fish dishes available!
If I lived any where near there I would so be at that restaurant Looks amazing & that sashimi platter is gorgeous! xo
It must be a special place if your Dad actually ate a piece of raw fish after resisting it all these years.
Ahh, Dads can be so stubborn, can’t they? But then, that’s part of why we love them so much for being just who they are.
YES! Sushi is an absolute must! I love all sorts of sashimi equally but one that stands out for me is mackerel sashimi which is outstanding!
Lol. I’ve got to try this place if “dad’s” try/approve the sashimi + all the dishes look fantastic.
Sashimi is possibly my favourite thing to order at Japanese restaurants, and so that Sashimi Zen is like heaven on a plate to me! Recently I had some wonderful yellowtail (or wait… maybe it was kingfish? Oops!). I like white fish sashimi, I think is the gist.
Also, go you! Just got your license and already the main chauffeur
I love love love sashimi, my boyfriend and i get sushi and sashimi every week and we get to our favourite japanese restaurant Kibou as often as we can, they do a delicious sushi and sashimi platter! Our favourite is the salmon belly sashimi, yum!
The only fish I eat is battered and deep fried!
make me want to eat sushi asap!
I’m so impressed with those prices, and love the choices you had. The dinner box looks like a fun choice, I’d like one for my lunch!
I love kingfish and salmon sashimi best, oh and scallop. Yu mm…
I actually just tried raw fish for the first time on Sunday after my dad attended the sushi class at Sydney seafood school on the weekend. I admit I had been stubborn for way too long! It was king fish and salmon- and it actually tastes less fishy raw than cooked! Can’t wait to eater again!
I’ve never liked raw fish or any seafood actually, even though I do eat it occasionally, particularly at good restaurants and/or I know it’s really fresh. Still can’t get into it, I think it’s the texture more than anything. But I try to educate my palate so I will always try anything once!
ohhhh yum, japanese is my favourite food! but meadowbank…mmm I might be like your dad. I don’t really travel far from the beaches! Maybe I could convince retro daddy to taxi it home. That meal looks amazing and good prices for sydney and such fine food
corrie;)
It looks so elegant!
Wow , I’d go there just for the dessert Assiette! I love tuna sashimi but prefer it sliced thin. High 5 to your dad for delving outside of his comfort zone
I can’t believe the prices or the display… what a find! The food looks awfully good and what a deal! I am wrapping my head around the foie gras with baramundi… looks fabulous but I’ve never seen that fish here… you mention it often and I must try it one of these days!
Hi Michelle-It was really good-we were so happy with it! Aww I’m sorry to hear that!
Hi Cakelaw-yes I wish we had managed to capture it in with the smoke and haze too!
Hi Lisa-Me too!
Hi sonia-Thanks Sonia! I love sushi and sashimi too!
Hi Maris-absolutely
Aren’t you sweet! 
Hi Dumpling Girl-Thankyou for your sweet wishes!
Hi muppy-It was so impressive when the smoke and haze disappeared!
Hi Tina-definitely! I know, it’s very artistically put together!
Hi Susan-hehe I was tempted to eat it all by myself but resisted-just!
Hi joey-Hmmm I’m not sure. At first I thought it was French Japanese which it is in parts. who knows!
Hi shan-Oh I see! Yes well the texture is what it is so I guess if you don’t like it then that’s fair enough
Hi Jane-Oh cool! I hope you like it
If you are inclined, the toothfish is diviiine!
Hi EHA-Oh no, it’s too much for you? Then perhaps just the sushi and sashimi for you? I could eat it every day too!
Hi Laura-Isn’t it just! I still can’t believe how reasonably priced it is too. Yum-lucky you!
Hi Sian-Oh no, you poor thing
Hubby loves raw tuna sashimi and sushi. Ooh did you say nasu dengaku? I love that dish!
Hi Celia-I know, it’s pretty impressive huh? And impossible to photograph them all nicely because it feel about a metre long
Hi Loll-Oh no, that’s no good at all. I have only really read good reviews of them but that’s terrible that you didn’t have a good experience. sorry to hear that!
Hi Zina-Yes the degustation is expensive. I think lunch is the best value from what I’ve seen. It is perhaps a bit pricey for a neighbourhood restaurant although I thought that overall it was great value, particularly some dishes.
Hi Manu-Oh cool!
Yes I think the meals are good value, or at least what we ordered was (I’m still thinking about the sashimi zen platter) Oh isn’t that nice! They’ve got lovely service there I have to say 
Hi The Food Mentalist-I love salmon and kingfish the best. Which leaves Mr NQN with the tuna
Hi ToniTones-Yum salmon is delicious I agree! Hehe you sound just like my friends (and how I would be too!)
Hi Chris-Hehe sorry about the craving! I love salmon and Mr NQN loves tuna
Hi Jen-It does doesn’t it!
yes you might be right! It was total heaven 
Hi Anna-hehe a girl after my own heart!
I bet he would! 
Hi kim-Isn’t it pretty! Thanks Kim! xxx
Hi Juliana-Thanks so mcuh Juliana!
Hi Liv-Oh how cool!
Oh yes although they have heaps of other items, it’s just that we all love sushi and sashimi (and now my dad) so we tend to order it 
Hi marla-hehe cool! Yep it was so scrumptious
xxx
Hi Carolyn-I know, we were all shocked!
We said “did he just do what we thought he did?” 
I know, he’s so stubborn-more stubborn than most!
Hi Chloe-Oh yes mackerel is gorgeous I agree!
Hi Shanks-I know, we thought he’d never try it
Hi Hannah-I’m with you girl on both counts!
Hehe well they prefer it when Mr NQN drives 
Hi Nini-Oh what a lovely idea! Oooh yes salmon belly is wonderful yes!
So unctuous!
Hi kirgibg-Oh right!
Hi Beatrice-I know, me too
Hi InTolerantChef-I know, crazy prices huh? And we were so glad that we saw the platter going past to another table or we would have assumed that the serving was small given the price. Oh you like the same as me-yay!
Hi Laura-Oh good on you! I’m so proud of you!
Hi Bronnie-Yes I don’t order it just anywhere too. I think one needs to exercise some caution. Oh yes that’s what Shan said above about the texture too.Well it’s good that you try everything once!
Hi corrie-hehe you are too funny! Hehe yes get retro daddy to bring it home!
Hi Blond Duck- agreed!
Hi Matilda-Yes I do love a good dessert assiette! I wish more places did one
yes we were very pleased that he did try it and liked it!
What a lovely discovery! That sashimi platter looks good enough to turn any non raw fish eater! I will now be on the lookout for toothfish!
That is so funny about your dad!! The food looks just superb! I love Japanese!
Lovely presentations, Lorraine. Just beautiful. I hope your mother had a wonderful time for her birthday. It MUST have been good if your dad was tempted to try sashimi!
Your dad reminds me of me! I have this horrendous habit of not wanting to go to a restaurant if it’s not within a 30 minute walk of home. I do still occasionally venture out of this self imposed perimeter though!
That Sashimi Zen is a glorious-looking spread!
I first tried sashimi in December after forever being anti-raw, and I loved it – especially salmon and tuna. The texture is incredible, and I LOVE wasabi!
I won’t eat raw fish, but I do love looking at the presentations.
I wish you could’ve been here to hear the rapturous sighs of several colleagues when they looked over my shoulder to see the foie gras-topped barramundi.
As for sushi, bring on the raw fish! Admittedly, I’m mad for raw salmon and sea urchin.
Oooh, this looks lovely! And its quite close to my bf’s house, yaay.
With a name like Sorenzo, I was thinking of Italian style food lol..
Mm, sushi. I used to freak out about raw fish but I’ve recently become addicted to salmon sashimi – I swear the kingfish at Tetsuya’s made me a convert lol.. soo good!
How hilarious, my dad has the same issue about venturing too far from home for food. He sometimes prefers not to venture beyond 10 metres and has food delivered to his room. The sushi looks very fresh and the fois gras seems pretty decadent!
That’s an impressive serve of sashimi! I love sashimi, generally tuna or salmon best. Congrats on converting your Dad
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