“Please don’t let that be our table…please don’t let that be our table…please don’t let that be our table…” I say to myself quietly willing the woman leading us to our table to head towards the better lit and slightly quieter tables outside. Thankfully she leads us to the outside area which is brighter and conversation can be conducted at regular levels.
PaperPlanes is the newest venture from the guys at LL Wine and Dine in Kings Cross. There are many similarities: interesting aesthetics, dark and moody lighting, lip reading noise levels, the very relaxed and friendly waitstaff and serves on the small side for the price. Suspended from the ceiling are colourful skateboards and white paper cranes (not planes 
). It looks like the menu has folding instructions so that should you wish to make a paper plane you can, although I don’t know if that is encouraged with their menus
Wasabi mintini $17
I had stalked the menu and seen Jenny’s blog post on her visit there so I knew what we should order. We ask the lovely French waitress her recommendations and she gives us her choices. Louise orders a cocktail and Viggo a beer! Louise’s cocktail was one that she was drawn to because it was unusual and looking around, we see many others had also ordered it. She takes a sip and her verdict, alas is she is not smitten. It contains Minties infused vodka with wasabi paste, cucumber, fresh mint and lemon. We note the table next to us returns their cocktail.
Edamame with chilli salt $6
I have to admit, I’m not a big edamame eater but the chilli salt does give it an interesting flavour.
Hand made pork and cabbage gyoza $12
There were two types of gyoza, the regular pork and cabbage and the prawn and lemon one. We opt for the former as Viggo is allergic to shellfish and we didn’t want him to miss out. They’re filled with pork and cabbage, more filled than what you would normally get. They are then steamed and then pan fried and given a slightly crispy edge. It comes with chilli oil and ponzu dipping sauce with five pieces per serve.
Salmon tartare nachos $16
Nachos at a Japanese place? The last time I tried nachos in Tokyo it was a disaster (picture a bag of corn chips and a jar of salsa plonked on top of it) but this is of another ilk. With thick pieces of cassava cracker on the side and a shot glass of salmon tartare cubes, salmon roe and wasabi on ice we spoon some of the salmon tartare onto the cassava crackers. The use of real wasabi here which is a smoother, less harsh animal that the tube variety is welcome and the texture of the salmon, roe and wasabi is creamy against the crunchy, thick cracker.
Grilled Hokkaido scallops with fresh apple, pickled pear and onion puree wrapped in nori $24
I appreciated having quantities next to the items so that we knew how many to order. The scallops, lightly grilled on both sides are said to be from Hokkaido and are as fat as a Canadian scallop (as opposed to Australian ones which are thinner). There is fresh apple, pickled pear and onion puree and whilst the taste was pleasant and the texture soft, I didn’t get the “I want another right away” feeling that I usually get with scallops.
Sashimi plate 16 pieces for $37
Sashimi plates can be ordered in quantities of 10, 16 or 20 pieces and today’s selection is kingfish, salmon, tuna and snapper. They’re all lovely, fresh pieces although I think most of us could have demolished this whole serving to ourselves we love sashimi so much.
Mochi rice cake, speck and jalapeno kushiyaki $8.50
I didn’t know what to expect and this is a surprise. Not tasting particularly Japanese the first thing I think of is of German food. The mochi, thread through the skewer looks like the fat from the pork belly but has a very nice texture against the smoked speck and the jalapeno give this a spicy hit. It’s unusual but in a good way.
Shiitake mushrooms stuffed with prawn $8.50
The whole shiitake mushroom, stuffed with prawn meat had an excellent balance of flavours. Definitely the kind of skewer you’d want more of.
Char grilled lamb ribs with house basting sauce and mint salsa $28
The ribs were soft and covered with a thick soy based sauce which allowed the rich flavour of the lamb to come through. We ordered the five grain brown rice which had a nice, nutty texture and this mopped up the sauce. We left much of the mint salsa behind.
Sake flamed teriyaki chicken with sauteed wild mushrooms $24
There was a delay for the order of the chicken and they apologise and shortly after our enquiry it arrives. The sake flamed teriyaki chicken tastes not unlike regular teriyaki chicken. The difference and what I liked best were the heavenly mushrooms which went so well with the umami properties of the teriyaki sauce.
Broccolini with miso and dill hollanise $11
The steamed broccolini comes with a small pot of miso and dill hollandaise which was creamy and mostly scented with the strong herb dill with an ever so slight saltiness and flavour from the miso.
Tokyo Pop Plant $13
The theme of PaperPlanes is Japanese pop and this is a lemon cheesecake in a terracotta pot plant. It’s rich and creamy although a Japanese cheesecake would have been an even nicer touch.
Green tea rocher $12
The green tea rocher is like a Ferrero Rocher but with a dusting of green tea. It’s the favourite dessert at the table and is best eaten whole allowing the liquid chocolate in the centre to dissolve against the tongue and the crispy deep fried shell laced with green tea to shatter along with the crunchy hazelnut in the centre.
The black egg $14
Viggo points out that from the top, it looks like a teddy bear’s eye and it certainly does. The black egg is a coconut milk curd with macadamia oil and a ristretto cocoa sauce. The coconut milk curd is nice by itself but it isn’t quite a harmonious combination with the coffee and chocolate and an Asian flavour like black sesame might have been a better match.
It’s almost 11pm and the outside area has cleared and we get the bill and brave the chilly Bondi strip so warm during the day.
So tell me Dear Reader, when you make a reservation do you ask for a particular table? And do you like to sit where you can talk or do you like it when there is a lot of activity and noise around?
PaperPlanes
Shop 15, 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9356 8393
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46 Comments | Add your own
I don’t make reservations out here in the middle of no where there typically is no need.
I like a nice quiet place where I can hear my dining companions speak or I can read in peace (if I am alone).
The lamb looks lovely!
Lorraine … You have been nominated for my NEW Food Stories Award for Excellence in Storytelling. Check out my site for the details (foodstoriesblog dot com).
What a gorgeous restaurant and a beautiful, yet pricey, cocktail – well worth it, I’m sure. Thanks for sharing, Lorraine. Also, I’m having a ChicWrap giveaway today that you should enter!
At first, I did not get what the black egg was. It’s 6.20am for christ’s sake. it took me 5 minutes to register that the yolk is black. T_T
I hate TOO much voice, always need to be able to hear others talking
Love the creativity here! Wasabi minting and miso/dill hollandaise sound awesome. & love the plains 
Heidi xo
I love the decor and desserts here my friend, they are really creative and oriental
Off to stalk the menu too – my mum calls me crazy because I always know what to order before getting to the restaurant
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
When I lived in the states I would always ask NOT to sit near the kitchen door but here it has never been a problem.
I’m sure this restaurant is lovely but the decor and the menu seem a bit too cutesy for me. It seems to me that the food is overworked.
I’m willing to be wrong.
Another fun place. I like to talk to my dining companions, so quiet rules the roost.
What creative, lovely modern takes on Japanese food. I love the idea of the salmon tartare nachos. Too bad the scallops weren’t better as they sound divine. Love the idea of the pickled pear.
I really dislike noisy restaurants (disturbs my wa–;) ). I so prefer restful tables were good conversation can be enjoyed.
Wasabi martini??? I am intrigued!
Any place with 2 types of Gyoza is awesome in my books. Love the decor here!
That really looks like something I’d enjoy. I’m mad about modern Japanese food.
I’m definitely in favour of conversation at the dinner table. I hate dining somewhere where I have to lip read.
Last week I was at a rather noisy restaurant with a group and I was seated at the end of a banquette and I really missed out on most of the conversation. Not good at all.
Those lamb ribs look lovely, they are a very under rated cut of meat that can be just wonderful.
I like a restaurant where I can hear myself think, and my dining companions speak! So much more relaxing
I absolutely love the decor of this place! Love love love it! When I make a reservation I generally don’t ask for a particular location, more so because I’ve never been before! I don’t mind where I’m located but so long as its not hidden away in some dodgey corner where I get no service.
I get really uncomfortable when I can’t hear anything in restaurants so definitely the table where I can hear. At my favourite restaurants I have a few spots that I request if they’re available. When you’ve been there so many times you know where the good seats are.
What? You didn’t fly your menu across the restaurant?! hehehe. I’m not sure I could have resisted that temptation.
So many good things to eat, the Hokkaido Scallops looked deliciously succulent and I loved the pop plant – fun and playful.
I have been known to request a specific table but only for special occasions like St Valentines and Birthdays. I hate being in the noisy section of a restaurant nearly as much as I dislike slow drivers in the right hand lane.
Yum!! These are all of my favourite foods. I love Edamame, gyoza, salmon tartar and all varieties of sashimi, I am in absolute heaven reading this story, it makes me want to go straight back to Japan, or at the very least to Paper Planes
I loved ll wine and dine, so I have to give paper planes a go! The ceiling decorations look awesome! The dish that caught my eye was the green tea fero rocher! Different concepts on exciting desserts is the best!
Love the name, love the decor, love the plating and the most unusual dishes
! Huh, why do I have a slight feeling all of the tastes would not be quite to my liking . . . ? As I’ve said before, noisy restaurants are definitely not my thing. And, yes, if I know a restaurant I’ll remind the maitre d’ where I’d like to sit when I book; if I am in a new place I’ll ‘window shop’ in my most ‘charming way’ if at all possible 
!
Haha I totally think those exact words to myself and will usually ask for an alternative if we arent happy with the seating.
I love the look of the food here – look amazing! I wish Bondi wasnt so far away
A shame the scallops weren’t as moreish as they look, but the food looks good in general. I wonder if anyone has ever had the urge to cut down one of those paper cranes?
I don’t like the sound of that cocktail. What a strange combination. I’ve pretty much given up ordering cocktails because I’m usually disappointed. I’ll just stick to my wine. And no, I don’t like competition when I’m trying to be heard. But I don’t like deathly silence either. Could we meet somewhere in the middle? xx
Oh, shame about the cocktails… Looks like fun though
I hate being seated at the centre of a dining room. I would much rather lurk against the wall where I can see everything that is going on (and check out other peoples meals).
Hahaha I kinda guessed that it was going to be a Japanese Restaurant when I read the title ‘Paper Planes’ hehe
I love all the little paper cranes hanging from the ceiling! As i kid i remember being really fond of oragami and was actually quite good at it for a while…but now i don’t even know if i can fold or make anything hehe 
The food looks pretty great and I love the special items they have the like Wasabi martini and the GREEN TEA ROCHER! That totally caught my eye
Hmmm when I reserve for a table, I don’t really ask for anything special but LOL i always book an extra seat e.g. if theres only 3 I’ll make it a table for 4 and if it’s a table for 5 I’ll book for 6 people lol I think it’s because I’m always worried that my friends will bring their plus one and we usually get a bigger table that way hehe
Do yourself and a friend a favor and visit izakaya Fujiyama in surry hills. Guaranteed that you will have a fun night and absolutely fantastic food. Go on spoil yourself.
Ohhhh! I desperately want a Japanese restaurant with inventive desserts! As much as I love black sesame ice cream, that black egg creation looks incredible.
I’ve also seen this place blogged somewhere else and it looks amazing! Would love to go
I’m a sweet person and those desserts definitely will be on my food wish list.
The colors and textures in your photos make it look so tempting.
Dear Lorraine,
Thank goodness for you we have a semblance to the fast changing Sydney dining scene. Love the caramelized exterior of the scallops.
Oooh you had my mouthwatering with your photos – except for the cocktail! I like somewhere where I can hear the conversation, although a view of the kitchen is always fun!
With a name like Paper Planes, I would never have thought this was a Japanese restaurant. But everything looks delicious – and the fish and veg all look scrumptiously fresh.
Oh well, I think my mushroom craving is still on a high note, because I just salivated all over the keyboard fantasizing about the Sake Glazed Teriyaki Chicken with those fat pieces of meaty mushroom.
Looks great. I want to try the black egg!
Those scallops look amazing.Though the menu di read wrapped in nori , but I couldnt tell by the picture if they were or not.
So many interesting & delicious looking things here! Love the look of the stuffed mushrooms & the ‘nachos’!
As for restaurants, definitely where I can talk
the black egg looks so interesting! also love the decor of the paper plans! they are so cute!
Japanese food is surely something I like. The ambience and decor look very inviting and the desserts are heavenly.
I’m so about the table. If we are meeting people at a restaurant, and I usually hold my breath while being walked to it doing what you did. “please give us a good table” captioned over my head.
This restaurant is making me miss Japan
I was trying to make a connection with the name and cranes…but wonder why they chose that..hmmm
But the dishes sure are creative, what with wasabi mintini and black egg, I really want to visit this restaurant when I manage to visit Sydney again!
The food looks amazing! Hah — I never used to be fussy about tables, but like you, I am often concerned about light these days, since I take photos. So, nowadays, I don’t hesitate to ask for a table that’s more brightly lit if one is available.
What a lovely place, Lorraine, and although I have just finished my lunch, reading some of your descriptions made my mouth water (and I had a tasty lunch!). We do usually ask for a specific table when we go to our favourite places. But I have also asked to be moved if I don’t like the table at a new restaurant.
Food looks good! I love kushiyaki
What an interesting Japanese restaurant and I’d love to try. Besides gyoza and sashimi everything looks unique and interesting!
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