PERTH | James Parker Sushi & Sake has built a reputation over the past few years as on the the city’s best Japanese restaurants. The name of the restaurant might not sound typical for that of a Japanese restaurant, but the reasoning behind it is simple. The restaurant is located on the corner of James and Parker street in Northbridge.
The space is minimalist, low-lit with natural materials and lots of timber. Chill beats and jazz play quietly in the background, adding the the relaxing vibe. The main dining space features tables and seats but, when you book, try a see if you can nab a seat at the sushi counter, where you can chat with the chefs while watching them masterfully preparing sushi, sashimi, and tataki.
The menu and James Parker is extensive. There’s the aforementioned raw bar and sushi counter, along with a variety of cooked dishes. I highly recommend leaving things in the hands of head chef Naokazu and his team, and going for the multi-course omakase menu. This gets you a diverse, progressive dinner of the menu’s highlights, and what’s fresh and best on the day.
Seafood is a highlight here. Care goes into each piece, with the perfectly textured rice formed into balls by hand and served at the exact right temperature, according. When I visited, the sea eel (anago), and the fatty tuna belly (otoro) stood out particularly, for both their flavour and texture.
Margaret River wagyu beef tataki, served with a ponzu sauce, is outstanding. Make sure you also try the miso marinated grilled Patagonian toothfish. The sweet and savoury, flaky delight is one of the tastiest things on the menu.
To drink, it’s a selection of sake, wine, spirits and beer – both Japanese and local. I recommend a sake or two, leaving it to the staff to recommend which ones to order based on the food that you’re ordering.
James Parker Sushi & Sake
Shop 2, 182 James Street
Northbridge
Western Australia 6003
Australia
Telephone: (08) 9328 2525
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Tue, Thu: 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Fri: 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Sat – Sun: 11:30am to 1:30pm; 5:30pm to 10:00pm