Treasures of the ocean make for memorable meal at Sushi Ta-Ke

FARE Japanese.

AMBIENCE Cosy and intimate if you go early - the small venue gets loud after 8pm if fully booked.

COST The omakase sets range from HK$1,200 to HK$1,500.

WHO TO BRING A date.

TURN- ONS From the varied omakase Take menu, there were two memorable highlights. The abalone was stewed the day before and left to soak overnight in a specially prepared sauce. The mollusc, served warm in its shell, was beautifully succulent and tender, with a lovely hint of Japanese wine. The sea whelk was served two ways - natural and seared, and the latter execution was perfectly charred and richly flavoured with white truffle paste. Other standout dishes include the melt-in-your-mouth Kagoshima wagyu beef cubes, seaweed wrapped in thin slices of flounder sashimi on lemon with shiso and the uni gunkanmaki for its delectable freshness. The wait staff were knowledgeable about the menu, and friendly and attentive while respecting your privacy.

TURN-OFFS While our tea cups were assiduously filled at every opportunity, the green tea was unfortunately lukewarm. Also, part of the charm of sitting at the bar is to watch the chef work, but our view of the edomae preparation was obscured by the sashimi display window.

DRINKS Ta-ke has an extensive sake list (HK$350 to HK$19,880), and each bottle comes with detailed tasting notes as well as food pairing recommendations and the occasional interesting fact - one sake is apparently named after a number plate of a house.

SUSHI TA-KE

12/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, 2577 0611