Kuro Bar & Dining has opened in Kent Street just off Market Street in what was the former Canvas Bar premises.
The venue includes 4 different areas, 3 of which were open when I visited in mid November – Brew Bar, Kuro Dining and Kuro Bar. The 10 seater chefs table is slated to open before the end of the year.
Brew Bar, which is not actually a bar, is open during the day and sells tea and coffee to a primarily take away crowd as well as a very small number of snacks. It’s an interesting choice to include as there is a very popular coffee shop next door which has more food offerings.
Kuro Bar & Dining is currently only open for dinner but is planned to start opening for lunch around the same time as the chefs table opens.
It comes with some very solid credentials – the Executive Chef has worked in Michellin Star restaurants in Tokyo and Paris and the Head Chef came from Bar H, a restaurant which sadly joined the growing list of recent Surry Hills restaurant closures.
Caesar Salad
The food tends toward Japanese fusion rather than strictly Japanese and includes for example a Japanese take on a Caeser salad as well as a duck confit dish. Mains are around the $40 market although there is a black market sirloin which is $150.
I’d describe the dishes I had as solid rather than outstanding but given they had only opened the day before my visit this is probably understandable. I suspect the food will get better over time as they find their feet more.
The wine list is fairly long and includes a few by the glass. There is also a signature drinks list which are prepared by “mixologists” which consists mainly of cocktails which are described as having Japanese and European influences as well as sakes and whiskies.
Services is professional and polite. The maitre d gives the impression he is very passionate about his job and genuinely wants to ensure everyone enjoys their visit.
Overall a welcome addition to an area of the city in which good food options are pretty sparse.
368 Kent St Sydney