North Bondi gem, Raw Bar celebrates milestone birthday.
Raw Bar, situated off North Bondi, is a Sydney favourite and for good reason. This iconic venue has prime real estate and the standards don’t stop there. This year marks a milestone for the beachside venue reaching 20 years of trade, serving fresh, innovative and sustainable Japanese food to the locals and lovers of clean Japanese cuisine alike.
The restaurant has the perfect spot on the corner just down from sister-venue Harry’s. During summer, the windows and doors are all open, evoking a very enticing, airy-summery vibe. During the cooler months the venue transforms into an intimate and cosy dwelling, situated against that iconic seaside landscape.
Appetisers vary from classic Edamame Beans ($6.5), Japanese Pickles ($4) and Miso Soup ($4.5), to more sophisticated specials including Crispy Rice Crackers with Scallop Sashimi and Truffle Mayo ($5pp).
The menu is then segregated by Sashimi ($16-$18), Nigiri ($17-$19.5), Small Rolls ($6-$9.5) and Hand Rolls ($12.5-$14.5) as entrees. For 20 years, the restaurant has prided itself on using only the freshest seafood. The best way to immerse yourself into that vision is by tasting their sashimi. For those who can’t make a decision on salmon, kingfish or tuna, best you opt for the assorted platter (18 Pcs) $38 (12 pcs) $28 (6 pcs)$ 17.
If you’re a traditional sushi kind of person, the more substantial varieties meander through Inside-out Rolls ($8-$14) and Signature Rolls ($12-$22 depending on size). Paired with a cold Asahi beer, this is surefire lunchtime hit.
Larger plates on offer include a selection of Cold and Hot dishes, Tempura varieties, Udon noodles and of course seasonal specials. The menu is extensive and everything is delicious, irrespective of the outside temperature. If you do go this winter, we definitely have certain recommendations. One such is the Nasu No Dengaku ($15.5). Baked and lightly fried, this double-cooked eggplant dish with a sweet miso dressing hums on the tongue. It also happens to be a very generous serve.
On the specials menu is the Wagyu Beef Cheek, which is slow cooked and served in a Hatcho miso reduction ($28). One item which hasn’t come off the menu since the doors first opened in 1997 is the Agedashi tofu ($10.5). It’s their signature dish, and totally melts in the mouth.
Since ’97 – Raw Bar has served over 1 million customers. They’ve also happened to have sold over 16,000 bottles of Sake not to mention rolled and served over 950,000 rolls. Celebrities to frequent Raw Bar include the likes of Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, George Miller, Tony Hawk, Sacha Baron Cohen, Adam Goodes and even Leonardo DiCaprio.
With bellies satisfactorily full, our night at Raw Bar ended on the most memorable Yuzu Sake that you just have to ask for!
Whether you’re passing by Raw Bar in the middle of summer and perch outside in the breeze, or you’re looking for a romantic and intimate winter date-night location, this Bondi institution is a must-try.
Raw Bar
1/136 Warners Ave, Bondi NSW 2026, (02) 9365 7200.
Open 7 days, Lunch from 12pm, Dinner from 6pm