The Location
Tento is Japanese for Tent. We had lunch at this cool café in the groovy design precinct of Hill Street on a mild Spring mid-afternoon. Located on the deck between design shops, and away from the main roads, Tento makes for a revitalizing pause from Surry Hills shopping.
Tento has seating indoors or outdoors – both ambient – though the outdoor seating is on stools. While eating you can continue to window shop from Euroluce’s showroom imagining how their famous and expensive designer lights would complement your decor.
The Menu
The menu is divided into:
- Sando – Japanese thick sandwiches
- Ochazuke – Rice with savoury sprinklings drenched in green tea
- Noodles – Udon and Ramen
There’s also a traditional Japanese breakfast set with salmon, rice, tofu, onsen egg, snacks and pickles.
We both had the Yakibuta Tantan Udon and ‘Magaki’ Pacific Oysters. The Udon’s tonkotsu (pork) stock was rich and delicious and the pork slices were thick, soft and slightly seared.
The oysters were in an exceptional omakase (Chef’s specialty) dressing which tasted as though they may have been made of ponzu, koshu (yuzu & chili), Chinese pickles and coriander (though I’m guessing).
The Drinks
A comprehensive separate menu of drinks included the excellent sake imported by Honda – previously reviewed in Honda Sake Bar & Mino Sake Shop. I had Tsuchida 99 – a very rich and dark sake that complemented the tonkotsu sauce, and an expresso that was beautifully delivered in an earthenware cup.
Want to Know
Open from late breakfast to late lunch and some evenings though never on Sundays.
Don’t Want to Know
The music was a little loud and upbeat for such an ambient environment. Hope it’s quieter when you visit.
Wish I’d Known
Don’t baulk at $7 an oyster – it’s definitely worth trying at least one.
