A new Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant has just opened in Neutral Bay - and we are very very excited. Why? Because it Ken Takenaka’s latest restaurant. Ken has been behind the very successful and popular Sushi Train in Cremorne - which is cited as one of the best in Sydney and appears in Good Food Guide lists frequently.
The restaurant is located nearly diagonally opposite The Oaks in Neutral Bay. Near the Vodaphone store where Ben Boyd Road crosses Military Road (the photo below will make it obvious to locals).
Toddler Play Zone!
We are so excited that Ken-san has included a Toddler play area in Jicca. Such a great idea, which comes from and inspired by his own son. You can see that it entertained Zach the perfect amount whilst we relaxed and read the menu.
…I can imagine that the tables next to playzone might become quite popular with parents! (though you don’t really need to be sitting right next to them). I’ve included more photos of this playzone later.
Menu (As of Jan 2020):
Bruschetta (2 pieces, $8.00)
Fresh tomato, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, baguette.
Bruschetta is one of those items we love to order as a starter in Italian restaurants. Jicca’s is up there with the best we’ve had, very fresh, very tasty and quite morish.
Wafu Natto with Vongole ($16.00)
Wafu is the soy-based, japenese-inspired, pasta sauce. Vongole is “with clams”.
My wife ordered the Wafu Natto with Vongole and it is a perfect demonstration of a Japanese-Italian fusion dish. The soy and natto were done in a careful way as to not be too strong or overpowering (as both of these ingredients can be). My wife was a big fan of this, and is keen to try other variants.
Carbonara ($15.00)
Fresh cream, parmigiano-reggiano, bacon, black pepper, egg.
Carbonara is one of my favourite pasta dishes, and I was keen to try Ken-san’s version. The first thing that jumped out at me was the very carefully soft-cooked poached egg sitting on top. It reminded me of an onsen-egg you’d get in a ramen dish. I immediately broke that into the pasta - and quietly smiled at how it’s a unique take on how Italian’s would use raw egg and allow the heat of the pasta to cook it into the dish.
The dish was really delicious and surprisingly light for a creamy carbonara. The sauce was lighter and more liquid, but that didn’t detract at all - in fact I was happy for it as I don’t want to walk out feeling ill.
As you can see by the next photo, I didn’t really enjoy it…
Kids Cream Bacon Spaghetti ($8.00)
An example of the kid’s cream bacon pasta. A generous serving for a toddler. Zach managed to consume about half of it, and we took the rest home for later/another meal.
French fries ($5.00)
We ordered a side of fries because we often like to have them up our sleeve for Zach. They were really good, and a good-sized portion.
Hojicha Crème brûlée ($5.00)
Roasted Japanese Green Tea Crème brûlée
This is an amazing dessert and I would recommend that you order it. My wife isn’t a dessert person, and I don’t typically enjoy Crème brûlée’s but we both loved this.
Somehow it managed to thread the needle of not being too sweet, yet being a great dessert.
My wife wanted a larger serving size, and I said that next time we could order one each!
Some more shots of the play area;
PRO:
Delicious food, made by an amazing chef (*he’ll be embarrassed I said this).
Toddler playzone is amazing. We loved it so much, it was nice to RELAX.
Great location that has a fair amount of street parking (Note: you might have to contend with people parking at The Oaks).
CON:
Some items on the menu could use more explanation. The staff are great, but I could hear a few people question what “Wafu” was.
I’m not sure I can get the Crème brûlée takeaway.
(As it is newly opened), there isn’t a phone to book a table just yet - but it’s walk in currently.
OVERALL:
We are so happy and excited that Ken has opened this restaurant. Based on this experience we’ll be coming more often.
Details:
Address: 99 Military Rd, Neutral Bay NSW 2089
Phone: Currently N/A (you can reach their Facebook Page)
Site: Facebook Page
Instagram: @jicca_dining
MAP:
You can check out other REVIEWS here.
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