Esora

Staff was knowledgeable and provided detailed explanation of dishes and where ingredients were from. The dishes have so many complex flavours, ingredients, and colours. My favourite was the chicken wing stuffed with mushroom. The staff came around and showed us all the mushrooms the chicken wing will be stuffed with. Love that the chef incorporated autumn ingredients to the dishes. I really enjoyed the tea tasting experience. Not a lot of restaurants provide tea tasting so it was a nice treat. The financiers they gave us as parting gift were so flavourful and buttery, best financier I've had

A delightful Japanese Kappo style dinning experience, with best quality seasonal ingredients and great culinary skills. Presentation was artistic too. Our fav dishes were the chicken wing stuffed with juicy mushrooms, and the Kinmedai with crispy skin. Tea pairing was nice to try too.

Beautiful and quiet dining space. Each dish was crafted with love and in unison. My favorite was it's miso soup although each dish has its own uniqueness. The oolong sparkling tea was a delight and is a glass complimentary. You could however add on tea pairing which I think is unique experience.

Overall it was a nice dining experience. There was one miss that the very first appetizer, the sando-like biscuit with citrus fruit inside, was too bitter… Favorite: the pear-shaped dessert.

If there's one thing that makes Esora stand out, it's the way Chef Takeshi Araki beautifully intertwines nature’s fleeting autumn treasures with refined culinary craftsmanship. The newly curated 7-course lunch menu at this Michelin-one-star gem offers a vibrant, multi-sensory journey through fall’s finest flavors, all for $178++. From the moment you step in, it's clear that this isn't just a meal – it's an experience. The lunch begins with a refreshing glass of Champagne (or sparkling tea for non-drinkers), immediately setting the stage for an exploration of autumn’s best. The first bite is a standout: Esora’s signature foie gras monaka, paired with kosui pear from Yamanashi and candied green lemon from Hiroshima. The sweet, citrusy contrast to the rich, buttery foie gras is a brilliant introduction to the season’s nuanced flavors. Then comes the delightful surprise of the deboned chicken wing, stuffed with a medley of autumn mushrooms like maitake and shiitake, delivering earthy, umami-rich bites beneath a crispy exterior. The meal continues with delicate somen noodles served in a clam consommé, topped with caviar, an exquisite, silky dish that celebrates the ocean’s harvest. The chargrilled kinmedai (golden eye snapper) takes center stage next, its subtle sweetness enhanced by sautéed yellow leek and kujo green onion from Kyoto. The meal wraps up with a rich donabe dish of braised wagyu and burdock, which is comfort food elevated to art – perfectly tender, with a deep, savory complexity. And to close, a light yet refreshing pear and yogurt ice cream provides the perfect sweet note, leaving you with a taste of autumn’s crispness long after the last bite. Esora’s autumn lunch offers a perfect balance of artistry and nature – a true celebration of the season, and a must-try for anyone eager to experience the culinary beauty of Japan in fall.

The chefs have their way of infusing summer ingredients in the most delicate yet profound way that pleases my taste bud. The service is impeccable, food presentation is top notch. Try to come early before other guests to soak in the whole vibe of the dining area (sky well lit) to yourself! I’m excited to try their creations in winter!

Friendly staff, great service, amazing food - it was a wonderful experience! The cleverly and creatively designed dishes work wonderfully to create a harmonious and delicious menu. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, this is definitely a place to go!

Extraordinary and beautiful. Beaty was visually obvious as much as it was in the taste of these dishes. Delicate flavours and fresh quality ingredients. The “Spring garden” on a tray was a journey by itself. Oolong tea with orange and jasmine buds had been designed well. For me, the “dashi” that opened the dinner, and our palate at the start was a 💥 bang. Spot on! Certainly will return in near future.

Esora is an oasis of elegance and refind cuisine. Experienced their seven course autumn menu and every dish was wonderful. Went with the wine and saki pairings and each was the perfect accompaniment to the courses. The team is attentive and friendly and the three hour seating is just right. Highly recommend.

the best new japanese restaurant in my books! outdoing yet another japanese restaurant in the robertson quay area that i have been wanting to but have yet to review. this restaurant will get a star, there, i hope i don't jinx them! but in all seriousness, looking at the way michelin dishes them out, esora ticks all the boxes. it's one of those places that you just can't wait to write a yelp review for!:) a holistic approach that delivers an experience, being same but different. attention to details, no sauce, garnish too insignificant. where the inclusion or exclusion of which changes, enhances or detracts. the perfect balance that doesn't overwhelm nor leave your keen senses feeling deprive. service, ah yes, a crucial component of that experience. a friendly, well informed and cross trained team that works in sync, flowing as one, the strength of each making the sum of parts stronger. exquisite but not just a pretty face. from the pieces of cutlery and dining ware, to the presentation and plating. you think you have seen it all but then they deliver more. yes, the food will speak for itself. flavours exploding via umami bombs! techniques, if you ask, will be gladly shared verbally. showcasing the best produce they can procure in the regions where they thrive. no dish will taste the same, as each has a complex twist. the "what is that, in a good way" smells fill the room and lifts the anticipation to the next level, whilst your palate waits. pacing is even as the machinery grinds into full gear when all lucky reserved guests showed up. wow, i expected nothing less and they delivered plenty more, a wonderful and complete experience that made for a perfect anniversary celebration! thank you, next........am so glad summer is coming when menu will be changing and esora will be blowing me away, again!