[On Offer *Now Expired*] - Booking for 2, Lunch @ Tetsuya's Feb 14 2009

[Flashback]

Due to some last minute changes, I've got to cancel my booking for lunch at Tetsuya's for February 14; so I thought I'd offer it to someone here.

If I haven't heard by Friday afternoon, I'll be cancelling it.

Cheers.

 

[oz_mark]

Due to some last minute changes, I've got to cancel my booking for lunch at Tetsuya's for February 14; so I thought I'd offer it to someone here.

If I haven't heard by Friday afternoon, I'll be cancelling it.

Cheers.

Cancelling a lunch at Tetsuya's on Valentines Day? Bet that doesn't happen often

 

[Maca44]

And for those who have not been to Tets' thus far, let me tell you that even though it will cost you $300 per head, it is something you simply must do in your lifetime and the brownie points you will collect if you take up this offer, especially on Valentine's Day, will be huge.

 

[serfty]

Mor ehere: Tetsuya's - Home

 

[oz_mark]

And for those who have not been to Tets' thus far, let me tell you that even though it will cost you $300 per head, it is something you simply must do in your lifetime and the brownie points you will collect if you take up this offer, especially on Valentine's Day, will be huge.

'tis indeed on my todo list!

 

[JohnK]

And for those who have not been to Tets' thus far, let me tell you that even though it will cost you $300 per head, it is something you simply must do in your lifetime and the brownie points you will collect if you take up this offer, especially on Valentine's Day, will be huge.

And what if the special person in ones life does not lke Japanese food? No brownie points and a waste of money....

 

[Flashback]

And what if the special person in ones life does not lke Japanese food? No brownie points and a waste of money....

It isn't all Japanese, though.. Tetsuya's - Menu

Don't let the chef's name fool you

 

[zzyss]

And what if the special person in ones life does not lke Japanese food? No brownie points and a waste of money....

I don't think not liking Japanese food is the right thing here, more like not being able to appreciate "fine dining" - not necessarily a bad thing. For some people, food is food, and a nice meal vs. a very nice meal is not worth the vast difference in price.

I would absolutely love to take up the offer (I do want to try Tetsuya's one day), but after last year's experience at the Astral - which is another "classy" restaurant for those not from Sydney - my wife and I vowed never to go out on Valentine's Day again. With so many couples, there is not enough wait staff to go around (larger groups require less attention), they practically run around the restaurant as if their pants were on fire trying to make everybody happy, and the service ranges from minimal to non-existent.

 

[Febs]

it is something you simply must do in your lifetime

Absolutely. Everything about the experience is amazing.

Had a degustation at Quay (with matching wines) on Friday night...absolutely incredible, but at same price as Tets....I'd be going to Tets (especially considering Tetsuyas' degustation is 10 courses, and Quay's is 6).

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Alanslegal]

As much as I'd like to take up your offer flashware, for me, there is a GFC around the corner (yep my own global financial crisis)

However I just prefer not to do these fancy lunches/dinners during V day as it feels like every other love bird is out there too and it doesn't feel anymore romantic - if you can picture what I mean.

I prefer a restaurant where its only my partner and I is celebrating an occasion - now that feels more romantic.

 

[simongr]

'tis indeed on my todo list!

Tis on my "done" list - just need to get to El Bulli and The French Laundry - but with babysimpending they are a fair ways off.

For me it was one of the most spectacular dining experiences but the food was not the best I had eaten - in fact for a degustation Banc was much better and I even preferred Aria (there were two tastes at Aria that I can still bring back to the tip of my tongue by thinking about them). I enjoyed Quay but thought that the framing of the food did not match the quality of the ingredients or tastes.

 

[Keith009]

I'd still be in PRG then.

But hell yeah - Tetsuya's is the way to go for any occassion if you can snag a reservation, V day or no V day.

 

[Hawkeye]

Tis on my "done" list - just need to get to El Bulli and The French Laundry - but with babysimpending they are a fair ways off.

So you've done the Fat Duck then, or not on the list?

I was chatting to an Aussie in San Francisco who had done all 3 of these restaurants. Needless to say, I was envious. I'm currently 0 of 3.

I would add a restaurant in Barcelona called Commerc 24 to your must-do list - the head chef is a former pupil of Ferran Adrià, so you get a similar molecular gastronomy style, but you actually have decent chance of getting in.

Tetsuya's is a top-flight, world-class restaurant. Fascinating blend of classical French technique and Japanese influence. It is a restaurant that can flourish in Australia, as chefs here are not restrained by the rules of local provincial techniques. The only criticism that could be levelled (and it is minor) is that the menu remains relatively constant, allowing him to maintain technical perfection in a select number of courses. On the plus-side, it does mean that one visit per lifetime is more than staisfactory.

 

[Keith009]

So you've done the Fat Duck then, or not on the list?

That's currently top of my to-do list. But a friend who's just been tore it a new cough hole. He's not really into the experimental/fusion type stuff though so I've taken what he said with a truckload of salt.

 

[Flashback]

... with a truckload of salt.

"truckload"

 

[opusman]

I've not done El Bulli (couldn't get a reservation) or Fat Duck yet but I've been to Gordon Ramsay, Paul Bocuse, etc and have also been fortunate enough to go to Tets 5 or 6 times. I would definitely say Tets is the best fine dining experience in Australia - and for the price, the world. It might be expensive compared to your local steakhouse but when you compare what you get there for the price, and the amount of effort that goes into each dish, it's really stunningly good value compared to lots of the other "big name" restaurants. Plus the service at Tets is just that right balance between formal and casual which makes you feel like yes, you are having a special experience, but without being at all intimidating.

 

[Febs]

With 8,000 places available (compared to 2,000,000 requests each year), I'd say a number of us will be waiting quite some time to visit El Bulli! It's definitely something I plan to try to do one day!

I even preferred Aria

I have no doubt that Aria would be absolutely fantastic, but having had a run-in with Matt Moran in public once before (I won't go into extensive details), and seeing him do something I completely disagree with in public..I won't ever be visiting. I understand chefs have a way about them, but this was over the top.

 

[Junji]

I have no doubt that Aria would be absolutely fantastic, but having had a run-in with Matt Moran in public once before (I won't go into extensive details), and seeing him do something I completely disagree with in public..I won't ever be visiting. I understand chefs have a way about them, but this was over the top.

You didn't call him a 'ranga' did you? He HATES that word...

 

[Febs]

You didn't call him a 'ranga' did you? He HATES that word...

Ha, no. I actually didn't say a word to him...he just decided to blow up at our group for no good reason (well, more than likely because one of our group may seen him doing something he probably shouldn't have been doing...). Totally unprovoked.

 

[anat0l]

Ay caramba - you're pulling out? What a shame - the cookie crumbles in cruel ways sometimes.

I'd take it but I'm both strapped for funds and I won't be able to anyway - I'm not in SYD on St Valentine's Day (well, I am, but I'm (hopefully) having lunch somewhere else).

I'm more scared actually if my two JQi + second LA flight will post in time for that date...otherwise my plan for the day will be ruined.