It's quite usual to catch a whiff of dinner when crossing the threshold of an Indian diner, but it doesn't compare to the waft of fragrance that washes over one on entering Aki's. The air is heavy with spices, rich cinnamon interlaced with ginger and cumin. If they don't grind their spices fresh here, it at least smells like they do. While those intense aromas are enough of an atmosphere-builder, efforts have also been made with Aki's decor. Crisp linen contrasts with pressed metal and rich red colour, while a sticky-beak upstairs reveals squishy ottomans and a promising-looking bar.
This is the frontier of Indian food and it's about as far from the ubiquitous suburban takeaway as a Michelin-starred French restaurant meal is from a corner bakery croissant. An entree of blue swimmer crab is labeled as their signature dish with good reason. The delicate flavour of crab is easily overwhelmed, even in less distinctively spiced cuisines, but here it is the star of the show, gentling dominating even over the spicy coconut broth. Slow-cooked baby goat with garam masala and tomatoes is an impossibly tender introduction to this less common meat, though delicate stomachs might prefer the milder braised white rabbit, which floats in a mild coconut and fennel sauce. The menu reaches outside the usual Indian restaurant offerings with innovative flavours, modern touches and quite a few deft and surprising south Indian and Sri Lankan dishes. Aki's singlehandedly puts paid the myths of subcontinental cuisine, spawned from bain marie curries and pre-packaged supermarket sauces, effectively converting anyone who doesn't already count themselves a fan of Indian food.
Shelley Tustin
Open
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w
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Breakfast
Lunch
O
O
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Dinner
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Late
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Sun-Fri noon-3pm, daily 6pm-10pm
Indian
Entree: $12.80-$22.80
Mains: $18.80-$35.80
Dessert: $12.80
Set menu:
3 courses,
$48
Payment accepted: MasterCard, Visa and American Express
Licensed with bar. Wine is available by the glass.
Vegetarian options available
This venue accepts bookings. It is advisable to make a reservation ahead of time. Group bookings are supported.
All reviews and ratings are the expressed opinions of our users, and in no way reflects the opinions of yourRestaurants, its staff and its affiliates.
Posted by:
ClareLoves2Eat
|
20 May 2010, 11.15pm
This restaurant makes you feel like you are part of something special.
Me and a friend eat out in Sydney very often. Tonight Akiis blew my mind!
The Chef is hands down the nicest man. My friend saw him cook on master chef and we orderer the exact dish, it was a prawn dish and I nearly died it was that amazing.
The service is divine. The cocktails (apple martini) was amazing. just perfect.
The service was quick, it was a thursday and it was quite busy but the service was still fabulous.
We had the pancakes for an entree, wow, wow wow!!! Yum.
The waiters memorise the order, that was pretty cool to watch (and they didn't miss a thing).
Atmosphere is great.
what topped the night of was the chef. I think he must own the place too, becuase he was hands down so lovely and not a hint of ego. How refreshing. The winner was when he came to ur table and gave us a complimentary dessert on the house - just becuase he felt like doing it. He did it for a couple of people actually.
This place is special, delicious and just hands down a winner.
Go. Just go :-)
Food:
Visit: Thu 20 May 2010
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
ben.
|
26 November 2008, 4pm
overrated
I'd heard heaps of very positive reviews of this restaurant. The food was good but nothing amazing compared to other Indian in Sydney.
Food:
Visit: Fri 21 November 2008
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
Willum
|
31 December 2007, 12.39pm
My favourite Sydney restaurant
The food and service at this restaurant is fit to die for. If I had to nominate my last meal it would be at Aki's.
Food:
Visit: Mon 31 December 2007
Mealtime: lunch
Service:
Atmosphere:
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