Saké Manly

The northern beaches outpost for Saké, a Japanese bar and restaurant by the group behind Rockpool Bar & Grill and Spice Temple, borrows some of the best fit-out elements from its sibling venues in the Rock and Double Bay. But it also plays up its elevated position with a standalone 40-seat sushi counter where diners can order fresh nigiri and sashimi while admiring the water from the floor-to-ceiling bi-fold windows. The same vista can also be enjoyed from the terrace, which is large enough to accommodate 120 people.

Saké has always had an extensive food offering but the list here has been condensed – large mains have been swapped out for more shareable and snackable dishes. There might be tempura-battered bug tail with jalapenos and amazu ponzu (sweet and sour citrus sauce), a selection of robata-grilled meats, and old Saké faves such as the hiramasa kingfish with lime and jalapeno yuzu kosho (spicy sauce), and king prawn with a yuzu (Japanese citrus) herb miso.

There are also dishes exclusive to this outpost, including crisp fish tempura with tartar sauce, bite-sized sashimi and veggie cones, and the Grandmaster Sizzle – Saké’s take on Japan’s traditional hamburger steak served on a sizzling hotplate.

There’s a large bar area with its own food menu. Here you can snack on kimchi pork gyoza with a Japanese craft beer or try one of the 30 sakes available by the glass, carafe, bottle or flight. Otherwise there are gin bowls, seasonal spritz, umeshu (Japanese liqueur) and shochu (distilled spirit) to sip on while you watch the boats and ferries bustle in and out of the bay.