When considering restaurants to accommodate D’s cat-loving cousins, Nekotaro in Eastwood was a compelling choice.
This restaurant revolves around a cat theme, with walls adorned by cat photos and feline artwork.
Even the table water glasses sported a cat-themed design.
The Strawberry Limeade (left, $6.80) had a vibrant strawberry flavour reminiscent of cooked-down strawberry compote. Its well-balanced profile was complemented by a gentle touch of acidity and the zestiness of lime.
On the other hand, the Mango Mojito (right, $6.80) leaned heavily on a mild syrup-based mango flavour, with the taste of Schweppes Solo prominently prevailing.
The Nekochan Onsen Sukiyaki Base (Beef) ($38.00) held a significant allure, particularly after a visit to Kumachan Onsen in Tōkyō.
Featuring a melting cat sculpted from frozen broth rather than collagen-rich aspic, the set included thin beef slices, a side plate comprising cabbage, leek, egg, tofu, mushrooms (shiitake and enoki), and an udon cake. The sukiyaki base itself proved flavourful, with its sweet and salty notes permeating the ingredients, particularly the udon.
To augment the sukiyaki soup base, the addition of an extra serving of Pork Belly ($13.50) proved beneficial.
The sukiyaki was a more recent addition to their menu. Nekotaro has, since its inception, garnered attention for its sushi doughnuts and sushi tacos.
The Prawn Mix Salad Donut ($13.50) featured shredded crabstick and cooked prawn, adding a novel twist to the sushi doughnut format. While the use of nori introduced crunch, the sprinkling of aonori brought the components together with a touch of umami. The mayonnaise, however, fell short of expectations.
The Grilled Eel Sushi Donut ($18.00) integrated the sweet soy sauce of kabayaki-style eel for a classic Japanese flavour. Avocado contributed creaminess, while nori and pickles offered crunch and freshness. Although enjoyable, the concept of using a doughnut in this context seemed somewhat unnecessary.
The Spicy Salmon Sushi Taco ($15.00) showcased a delightful contrast between the crisp tempura seaweed and the rice’s adhesive consistency, providing structural integrity akin to a conventional taco. The salmon, seasoned with spicy mayonnaise, delivered a gentle heat alongside a sharp chilli tang. The taco format was particularly appreciated by D.
While the Takoyaki (6 pieces, $9.50) were rather average, they were elevated by a generous drizzle of sauce, bonito, and nori.
The Grilled Salmon Sushi (6 pieces, $17.50) provided a delightful smokiness and creamy texture through seared salmon, which was relished so much that a second plate was ordered. The smokiness was captivating enough to inspire a decision to purchase a blow torch for replication at home.
The Grilled Salmon & Scallop Sushi (3+3 pieces, $19.50) featured seared scallops with a distinct smokiness, offering a more pronounced flavour of the sea compared to the oilier salmon.
The Sashimi Platter (regular, $48.00) showcased a diverse assortment of fresh seafood, including salmon, kingfish, tuna, squid, scallops, and arc shell clam.
The Panko Prawn Tempura ($15.50) boasted flavourful prawns enveloped in a light, crisp batter.
The Chicken Curry Katsu Omurice ($19.00) featured chicken generously coated in curry, lending a touch of sogginess that detracted from the dish. The curry was sweet, while the egg contributed silkiness, albeit falling short of adequately covering the rice. The overall dish proved average.
The Strawberry Parfait ($12.00) consisted of strawberry slices, whipped cream, and vanilla ice cream topped with a cat-shaped chocolate and chocolate Pocky sticks. Although the taste was acceptable, the dessert itself was underwhelming.
The Red Bean Soup with Kitty Dango ($17.50) fell short of expectations, diverging significantly from the menu illustration. The concoction resembled watery and murky grey ‘soup’ with scarce red bean content, necessitating a search for the cat-shaped dango. The dango exhibited softness devoid of bounce, while the accompanying stick of dango displayed suboptimal execution. To compound the disappointment, the ‘matcha sauce’ transformed into a squirt of Cottee’s Chocolate Topping.
While earlier offerings proved enjoyable, particularly the sushi doughnuts and sushi tacos, Nekotaro’s execution of the final dessert left us reconsidering future visits. The establishment’s reputation for the earlier items did not surpass that of other Japanese restaurants.
Nekotaro is located at 3-5 Trelawney St, Eastwood NSW 2122.