4 Pines Bonsai Izakaya — Restaurant in Sydney

Really lovely evening with my daughter and my (almost) son-in-law.

I can endorse all the positive comments about Aaron. He was very attentive.

The food flavours were beautiful. If you have read other reviews, I would describe the flavours as subtle. These days unless the food burns through your oesophagus, people whine about it. If you want to burn off your tastebuds, don’t come here. But if you enjoy the subtlety of excellent food, you will love this place.

The Pork Katsu was unbelievable!

The Miso Eggplant is quite possibly the best egg plant dish I have ever eaten.

Kaarage Fried Chicken was as good as you could desire. Lived up to my dreams! It was so good I forgot to take a photo … and then it was gone! Yum.

The Wagyu Beef Tataki wasn’t as good as the hype. It was nice but I preferred other dishes.

The Lotus Roots Chips were a good filler but the wasabi was too mild.

The Edamame was nice. Much more mild than some I have eaten but also not too salty which can be a problem.

The Pork belly was delicious. Not fatty. Not tough. And not drowning in sauce. Well balanced and one of my favourite three dishes for tonight.

The Salmon Sashimi & Avocado Taco was too subtle for me (perhaps bland). I will not get it again but there are lots of other great choices.

Overall, excellent experience for those who have discerning tastes....

Bonsai is a casual Japanese diner located right opposite Manly Wharf, serving straightforward, no-frills bar food.

As a non-drinker, I focused on the food and service. While the service was exceptional—with friendly, attentive staff—the food was decent but didn’t quite stand out. Here’s a breakdown of our experience with their recommended dishes:

• Karaage Chicken: This dish was under-marinated and leaned heavily on mayonnaise for flavor instead of the chicken’s own seasoning.

• Pork Belly: A definite highlight, the pork belly was well-cooked with a satisfying marinade and a nice char. However, its presentation could have been enhanced with a rectangular plate.

• Salmon Sashimi & Avocado Tacos: These were the visual stars of the meal, boasting eye-catching plating and a flavorful salsa. The tacos, however, would have been even better with crispier tortillas.

• Okonomiyaki: Served as half a pancake, this dish felt somewhat incomplete and would be better serviced as a smaller circle. Priced at $12, it was good value, though the heavy use of mayo was a bit overwhelming.

Overall, while we left satisfied, the food didn’t inspire a strong desire to return solely for the culinary experience. Bonsai excels in service, but the dishes, though competent, missed that extra spark to make...

Had an absolutely amazing night at 4 Pines Bonsai Izakaya! The food was next-level—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. But the real MVP of the night was our waitress, India. She was an absolute star—super friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, and made sure our table was always looked after. Her recommendations were spot on, and she made the whole experience even better.

Now, the only problem? The craft beers were way too good… because I may or may not have enjoyed a few too many. Stumbled out of there way less gracefully than I walked in, but hey, that’s just a testament to how good the drinks were! If you’re looking for amazing Japanese food, stellar service, and dangerously drinkable craft beers, this is the spot.

Highly recommend—just maybe pace yourself...