The north-of-the-bridge boom is in full swing, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Once Sydney’s oft-overlook CBD extension, North Sydney is now home to some of the city’s buzziest restaurants on either side of the harbour — not to mention a shiny new metro making the neighbourhood more accessible than ever before. And from mid-May, there’ll be one more restaurant in North Sydney to add to the list, promising to bring a whole lot of flair, flavour and finesse to the table.
Located in the heart of the action on Miller Street, Toki Bistro & Bar will showcase modern Asian-inspired flavours and French culinary techniques, with a storytelling twist that will turn your meal into something far more memorable. The cleverly designed space — which includes three private dining rooms and an intimate public dining room across its 475 square metres — is moody and elegant, mixing classic Parisian bistro charm with modern luxury. Think: mahogany floors, black marble tables, deep red vintage seating and glass chandeliers glowing overhead. Upon entry, you’ll be greeted by a showcase of fresh seafood set against a slick and stacked mahogany and marbled-topped bar.
Leading the charge at Toki is Head Chef Jay Choy, whose culinary credentials span Michelin-starred restaurants in the US and a top-ten nod from San Pellegrino’s Young Chef awards. At Toki, Choy will present a considered menu that brings together classic French technique and punchy Asian flavours, inspired by his own childhood memories and years of global experience.
The public dining area offers an à la carte menu spotlighting Toki signatures — but for the full experience, you’ll want to opt for one of the set menus. Highlights include beef tartare topped with caviar and crispy tendon crisps, marron udon with beurre blanc and lobster bisque, and bone marrow custard with bacon jam, uni and ikura served on a crumpet. You can pair your meal with a selection from the thoughtful wine program, which includes premium drops from Australia, Asia and France — with complimentary tastings also available to help you find your perfect match.
For a more exclusive experience, step into the discreet elevator on Miller Street to access one of Toki’s three private dining rooms. Here, you and your fellow diners will be treated to a ten-course tasting menu divided into four ‘chapters’ that mirror the milestones of life through flavour. You might start with citrus-dressed Sydney Rock Oysters before moving on to larger dishes like amaebi tart served with citrus cream and yuzu tamarind dressing or beef tartare with nashi pear, french mustard and salted tendon chips.
There are luxe add-ons, too, like caviar with house-made blinis and three different types of crème fraîche, a tomahawk steak carved tableside, and a two-part duck that’s been dry-aged for two weeks and uses every part of the bird, from lavender honey-glazed slices to a rich duck-and-chicken sausage featuring pistachio, yuringi onion marmalade and teriyaki-braised shiitake jam.
With its slick interiors and thoughtful menu featuring standout ingredients, Toki is shaping up to be one of Sydney’s most ambitious fine-dining openings this year — and one that we reckon would be well worth crossing the bridge for.
Toki Bistro & Bar is slated to open in mid-May at T23-24/100 Miller Street, North Sydney, and will be open for lunch and dinner Tuesday–Sunday. For more information, head to the venue’s website.