Ultra-minimalist and ultra-chic, Kuro is a Japanese restaurant that is not very Japanese. The techniques are modern, the ingredients are non-traditional, and really there are only little hints of Japanese elements in their delicious dishes.
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| Kuro Chiffon, $5 |
A tiny morsel that turns the expectation up-side-down: a savoury chiffon cake? Topped with nori-flavoured creme fraiche and salmon roe, I think I will have all future chiffon cakes salty, please.
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| Tomato, $14 |
One of my favourite dishes of the evening: refreshing tomatoes on a bed of stracciatella (the burrata-like cheese, not the choc-chip ice-cream) and topped with a savoury, umami jelly film, this is one refreshing and moreish dish.
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| King Prawn, $14 each |
Deep fried so every element is edible (including the head and tail, we were told - though I'm not so sure about that), the king prawn is served with a prawn butter and encased in arare (Japanese rice cracker crumbs). I found the dish somewhat bland and could have used a tad more salt, and of course, I wouldn't pay $14 for one again.
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| Fried Chicken, $16 |
Now this is delicious. Nevermind the darkness encasing the chicken - the pieces are juicy, tender, and perfectly flavoured.
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| Salmon, $19 |
Very slightly smoked, the salmon sashimi was also among the favourites: paired with roe and dollops of herb cream, it is balanced, simple yet incredibly delicious. The fattiness of the salmon also suggests the fish is of the highest quality.
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| Calamari, $33 |
If you like the deep smokiness of a properly char-grilled calamari, you will enjoy this. The meat is tender, the flavour - again, I could use more salt, but for those who like their ingredients natural, this dish would be a pleaser.
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| Hapuka, $38 |
A mild-flavoured, gently-firm white fish, the hapuka is served o a bed of puffed rice, with wood-ear mushrooms and a beautifully clear yet flavourful broth. Simple, yet cooked to perfection.
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| Cos Lettuce salad, $12 |
Accompanied by an onsen egg, this is a slightly updated version of the ceasar salad. The egg makes the dressing even more creamy, and though still light, the salad is made more delightful for it.
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| Ranger Valley Tri-Tip, $48 |
Now ths is the highlight of the meal for me. The tri-tip isn't a particularly expensive cut of meat, because it i actually quite tough - but the way it had been cooked at Kuro makes it buttery-soft, to the point I didn't use the steak knife provided. I simply cut with the usual dining knife and it offered little resistance. I have no idea what kind of delightful salt that little pinch of pink is, but my god, it is wonderful - umami and packing a punch, just a granule or two perfects the steak-experience.
After discussing all these food, the truth is, I came for the cocktails.
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| Green Hour, $25 |
This absinthe-based cocktail is what had drawn me to Kuro - the apple-shaped ice is incredibly realistic. The novelty aside, only order this if you really enjoy the aniseedy flavours of absinthe. The other ingredients (which are not discernible) are g'vinee gloraison, dry vermouth, granny smith apple, fill, champagne cordial and egg white.
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| Lava Flow of Mt Fuji, $25 |
Deliciously easy-to drink and tasting overwhelmingly of oconut, the lava of Mt Fuji, apparently, tastes like a matcha pina colada. It consists of nagakumo, coconut, pineapple, grape and matcha, the last of which is poured at the table.
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| Never Say Never, $22 |
Presented a lot darker than the name would suggest, this is a fruity, slightly tart number that is easy to drink.
Overall, I would say the cocktails sound much better than they actually taste. The alcoholic content is minimal (I have never had cocktails that don't even give a tiny buzz until Kuro), and all three cocktail had the fatal flaw of having one flavour overpower all others - while the mark of a good cocktail is balance.
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| Dark chocolate mousse, $14 |
I mean, it's ok. Not a particular stand out, the flavours are balanced and smooth, but in the end, it is just chocolate mousse. I was a tad disappointed - if you only offer 3 desserts, they'd better all be memorable.
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| Mochi coconut $12 |
Now this one is an absolute delight. The coconut ice-cream underneath this cute covering of mochi is so rich and creamy, pairing perfectly with the tartness of the mango pieces and freeze-dried raspberries.
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| Mango Sorbet, $12 |
The highlight of this dessert is the yuzu jelly - refreshing and with a hint of bitterness, this is a dessert for the grown-ups. The mango sorbet is ordinary, but very palate-cleansing and a great finish to the evening.
Score: 3/5.
I'm giving it this score because despite some great dishes, the performance across the menu is inconsistent. Dishes ranged from stunning to disappointing. The cocktails game needs to be improved, particularly if they're charging at the price-point they are charging.
Cost: approx $100 pp
Address: 368 Kent St, Sydney NSW
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