Ito is a Japanese Izakaya that blends tradition with creativity. Located in Surry Hills.
We spent about $100 per person, a la carte.
We spent about $100 per person, a la carte.
Food
This is the wagyu tartare, beef fat potatoes, onion soy for $33. It was rich and buttery, melting on the tongue with umami depth from the onion soy. Crisp beef fat potatoes added a satisfying crunch, balancing the dish with their golden savouriness.
This was the yellowfin tuna, bonito bread, bottarga for $9 each. The tuna was silky and fresh, its delicate sweetness enhanced by the umami depth of bottarga. The bonito bread added a crisp, smokey contrast, creating a perfect balance of texture and flavours.
The WA octopus for $28 was tender and a bit chewy. It was overall unremarkable, with the yuzu fennel and green olives adding brightness but lacking a memorable punch.
The roasted eggplant tasted like a lasagne. This $26 dish was perfect for vegans, with tomato miso for the “meaty savouriness” and whipped tofu for “cheese”. It also had the same texture as lasagna. We would come back for this dish.
The Moreton Bay bug $32 was succulent and sweet, perfectly complemented by the silky, umami-rich pumpkin chawanmushi for an unforgettable bite.
The prawn and scallop ravioli for $38 were luxuriously tender, bursting with sweet, oceanic richness in every bite. The hotaru ika and tobiko added a briny pop of umami, elevating the dish with layers of depth and texture.
The mushroom noodles for $33 were deeply savoury and umami-packed. The miso added richness and the black pepper provided a subtle, warming kick. Every bite was silky, earthy, and utterly satisfying.
The veal katsu for $54 was crispy but lacked depth, with the wasabi mustard mayo adding a slight kick but not enough to elevate the dish.
Service
The service was attentive and efficient.
Review
Overall this was a lovely eatery in the pocket of Surry Hills. Some dishes were delicious, but nothing stood out for us to return asap. Ito is still a great spot to take friends so it remains a contender for future double dates.
Thanks for reading. Happy eating.
Thanks for reading. Happy eating.
