Circa 18 May 2024

A few months ago, some friends proposed a dinner at Tetsuya’s. A few days ago, Tetsuya’s announced they were closing and by some sheer luck we were able to experience it before it’s gone forever.

I’m not a food critic by any means so I won’t be providing a culinary breakdown. I am a self professed foodie though, and when I tell you that this meal was one of the best of my life … I am devastated that I will never be able to relive this but beyond grateful I got to live it at least once.

Tetsuya’s doesn’t need a nobody food-enthusiast to rave about its accomplishments. This post is entirely for memory lane.

The venue

I have lived in Sydney for 10 years and could have gone living another 10 more and never realising I’d walked past heaven on earth. Truly though, I almost walked past it when my Uber dropped me off.

The restaurant is set down a short driveway off the bustling Kent Street in Sydney’s CBD with a non-descript arrow point in the direction to be followed. Then lo and behold, a beautiful Japanese architecturally designed building was gently lit up from the outside.

Beyond the beautiful entry way, I can’t really speak to the rest of the venue. We were lucky enough to be banished to our own room and lived the evening in delightful bubble. We only remembered the outside world existed when we were gently reminded the kitchen (and bar) were closed.

We did learn that the plates (which are almost as beautiful as the food) are made by one of Tetsuya’s oldest friends exclusively for Testuya. In return, that friend gets to eat for free - not a bad deal.

The food