After a bit of a break its been back to work in Sydney for the past month. Sydney food is without a doubt the food of the sun, illustrated by the fantastic produce available, in particular the fruit and vegetables. Without a doubt the Kensington Pride mango is by far the best eating mango in the world. But maybe I'm a little basis.

Having a night off we ventured out to the new Sake modern Japanese restaurant in the Intercontinental Hotel in Double Bay. I must say that we had chosen this over, Fish Face (the best fish restaurant in Sydney) after a glowing recommendation.

After a long hot day in the kitchen I was ready for a quite and relaxing evening. I got the later. The place was packed to the rafters, music pumping, I guess, the place to be. We were escorted to our bar table which had a cracking view into the hullabaloo of the kitchen. I love sitting at the bar as it always offers a tantalising glimpse into the crazy world behind the pass.

Menus delivered and sparkling water ordered. Brief explanation of the menu and the order taken. Oddly enough, every time I was about to feel that we had waited a touch to long, a service staff member would appear with something. That something was a dish of six beautifully salty and briny oysters with a serano chilli granita and some wonderful steamed edame beans with nori dust. The chilli granita was the star, just almost maybe hot enough but never quite intrusive to the oyster, so that the sea flavour shone though. Next was a very disappointing tomato momotaro, enough said.

The next two dishes were real pleasers. Fragrant spiced duck with red den miso, snow pea and orange and the waygu teriyaki with shitake, buckwheat and matzuzaka sauce. The meats were cooked perfectly and the flavours were clear and direct with great balance.

Did we have a great night, absolutely, was it quite, no, would I go again........Yes.