Since being introduced to Tokonoma by Mark Communications, I have strangely been finding myself at Toko (Tokonoma's sister restaurant) for birthdays, date nights, and other outings. The trendy decor, delectable drinks and top-notch menu makes it the perfect place for many things.

Before I go on, for those who aren't familiar with the Toko restaurants, I'll just clarify that there are three establishments. Toko Restaurant & Bar is an izakaya style dining experience, where as Toko Paddington is a classier version of sushi train. Then there's Tokonoma which is more of a bar and lounge type restaurant that sits right beside its sister, Toko Restaurant & Bar. The architecture is stunning at all three.

On this particular night, eight of us are at Toko to celebrate Xiaohan's birthday.

We decide to share a selection of small dishes and then order our own main course.

We start with bowls of edamame ($6.30) which are simply sprinkled with Maldon sea salt crystals; next we have the soft shell crab karaage. The soft shell crab is deliciously crunchy and the wasabi mayonnaise it is served with brightens the bite.

The tuna tartar ($16.40) is perhaps my most favourite dish at Toko, served with baby shiso leaves, barley miso dressing and long sweet potato crisps which we use as spoons to scoop the tuna. I love the contrasting textures in this. It is creamy and crunchy all at the same time.

Other small dishes we share are dengaku nasu, a blissful binding of roast eggplant and miso ($12.80); the spare ribs with sweet soy chilli ($18.80); and Japanese mushroom skewers with soy honey butter ($9.90).

The drinks menu at Toko will keep you going all night. There are 7 cleansing mocktails including a shojo mary ($8) - a wicked twist on the bloody mary, featuring pungent kimchi and shichimi pepper! Although, I always start with the zaksan ($8) which is fragrant with lychees, pink grapefruit and genmaicha (green tea with roasted rice). On the alcohol side of things, there are over 30 varieties of sake plus a list of shochu tonics with seasonal flavours like figs and kumquats.

I haven't been very creative with my ordering lately so predictably share the sakyo-miso marinated black cod ($30.80) and the duck breast ($28.80) with Zen. Rice is a whooping $4!

The cod is wonderfully glazed in sakyo-miso, producing a light earthy sweetness. The texture is as it should be, rich and buttery with firm flakes.

The duck is also perfectly cooked - the outside is well-caramelised and the inside is tender and pink. I love the pickled nashi pear and sasho pepper that it is served with.

For dessert, I have the kokutou pear and white chocolate spring rolls ($12.80) served with sesame brittle and nashi pear sorbet! OMG, it is so awesome, I highly recommend ordering this! X has the Greek yoghurt pannacotta ($13.20) with green apple, rockmelon sorbet and pistachio brittle. The presentation of her's is breathtaking.

While not cheap, what you pay for is a guaranteed good night out!

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Toko
490 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW
Phone: (02) 9357 6100
Web: www.toko.com.au

Yes, this is another celebratory meal.

I am not one to overlook any excuse for a celebratory meal and the completion of the first project of my new food marketing agency seemed like a good enough excuse as any other.

Although still in winter, we Sydneysiders are frequently spoilt with gorgeous warm days, making outdoor dining restaurants such as Ripples, the perfect destination.

I love the casual yet elegant ambiance and the waterside seating so searching for the right restaurant to celebrate this special occasion was relatively easy.

I am here with the project team.

While waiting for the last person to arrive, we start with some nibbles. There's the warm confit garlic bread with walnut aillade and pesto butter ($8) and warm marinated mixed olives & white anchovy w baguette & anchoiade ($7.50).

The roasted whole garlics are so sweet and flavoursome. Paired with the walnut aillade, it is rich and robust.

The anchoiade is unlike anything I've ever had. It's such a simple concept that really works. Lock me up with a jar of this and a long baguette any day!

I also have the mocktail ($8), a refreshing concoction of orange, pineapple, cranberry and soda that is finished with fresh mint and a glace cherry. K has the bloody mary ($12).

While the others have the roast barramundi fillet on chive gnocchi, petit peas bonne femme with lardons ($29), thyme and parmesan crumbed pork cutlet with braised red cabbage, calvados apples and sweet potato puree ($29), char grilled scotch fillet with cafe de paris butter, chips and winter leaf salad ($28), and duck cassoulet with pork belly, white beans and toulouse sausage ($28), I opt for the winter special.

The winter special ($39.90) features a whole lobster mornay with garlic crumbs and a glass of French sparkling.

The lobster is a tad small but the garlic crumbs and creamy goodness is sensational. I also like the coleslaw of micro-herbs with finely shaved green and purple cabbage and carrot.

Dessert at Ripples is excellent from portion size to execution. I have the burnt lemon tart with lemon curd bombe alaska and macadamia toffee ($13).

The macadamia toffee crumbs is so addictive, I get close to licking the plate, but it is the burnt lemon tart which stands out. The shell is crisp and crumbly and the caramelised lemon filling is just tangy and so splendidly wonderful.

The others have the chocolate trio ($14), featuring chocolate fondant, salted caramel tart and chocolate marquise, the warm gingerbread pudding with sourcream ice cream, orange caramel sauce and Persian fairy floss ($13) and the espresso martini ($16).

And what a memorable and lovely brunch it was...

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Ripples at Sydney Wharf
56 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont NSW
Phone: (02) 9571 1999
Web: www.ripplescafe.com.au