TATSUMI Modern Japanese Cuisine

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Address

Chancery Lane
100 Gloucester Street
Central City
Christchurch
Region: Canterbury
Licence: Licenced+BYO
Cuisine: Japanese
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Contact

Phone: 03-366 1038
Fax: 03-366 1037
Website: www.tatsumi.co.nz
Email: tatsumi@xtra.co.nz

Open

Lunch: 11:30 to 14:30 Mon to Fri
Dinner: 18:00 till late 7days

Close on Public Holiday

Comments

Thank you for voting us for People's Choice Awards 2010!!!

Since opening in December 2007, Tatsumi has earned an excellent reputation and has been renovated in May 2009.

Our chef has had extensive experience in some top restaurant around NZ.
He creats mouth- watering, authentic Japanese dishes with a modern western twist, all at reasonable prices.

Our menu features delectable entrees, traditional dishes such as Sashimi, and delicious mains including Teriyaki chicken, Softshell crab, and Tempura.

Menus

7739_All_Day_Menu_2010.pdf
7739_Dessert_Menu.pdf
7739_Drink_Menu.pdf
7739_Lunch_Spesial.pdf

Overall DineOut Score based on 29 reviews

Total		8.6
Food		8.9
Dessert		8.3
Presentation		8.6
Service		8.7
Environment		8.1
Toilets		7.9
Child Friendly	Very

Review by: debbieelliston (32) on 24th August 2010

Total		9.8
Food		10
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		10
Service		10
Environment		9
Toilets		9
Child Friendly	Yes

Just had the most amazing lunch with a friend today 22/8. This would have to be THE place to eat Japanese in Christchurch I was in charge of picking the food, I only have to be told once - started of with the miso and edamame, then the most delightful pan seared scallops with buerre blanc, fish carpaccio (groper) I could really have eaten that on my own and then some. The beef tataki was sensational, organic tofu and seaweed salad fresh bursting with flavour, I love soft shell crab and they do this really well - then to finish teriyaki chicken with rice - we were in heaven. Beautiful service. $100 for 2. If you have not been here - I really do suggest you give this place the patronage it really deserves.

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Review by: Bing57 [DineOut VIP] (42) on 19th August 2010

Total		8.6
Food		9
Dessert		8
Presentation		10
Service		8
Environment		8
Toilets		8

Cold, wet evening in the city as we 6 made our way to this highly praised restaurant. The place was, apart from us, full; always a good sign. We had to wait a short time to be attended to at the table but with apologies we were under way. We began with a selection of appetisers for the table: Tako-wasa (chopped raw octopus soaked in spicy Wasabi sauce), Yuba & Celery (Tofu skin, black fungus and celery marinated in sesame oil), Kimpira (Sautéd and simmered thinly sliced lotus root), Beef Tataki (Raw beef tataki with Ponzu gelee), Smoked Venison (Rare smoked venison loin with blue cheese, truffle oil) and a fish dish marinated in soy sauce I think. It all looked spectacular and the tastes were amazing - the venison was perfection, the lotus root was crunchy and firm, the octopus was slippery but with just the right hit of wasabi.
On to mains: Tender Spareribs (Sweet and Spicy tender oven pork spareribs with creamy wasabi mashed potato and salad - yum),Teriyaki Chicken (Grilled chicken thigh in a sweet soy sauce marinade with tempura onion rings and grilled rice ball),Fried Squid (Fried Squid and Watercress with Garlic Butter Sauce with salad - stunning), Soft Shell Crab (Tempura soft shell crab with Yuzu pepper salad), King Prawn Tempura (Five huge king prawns tempura served with tempura sauce and freshly grated daikon radish and ginger with seasoned rice), Sliced Pork Belly on Rice (Sliced pork belly with spring onion & mayonnaise on rice), Breaded Chicken cutlet (Deep-fried crumbed chicken thigh served with coleslaw salad and seasoned rice with Japanese Worcestershire sauce). Not as much sharing of dishes at the table as I might have hoped for but I was as much to blame for hogging my dish as any other.
Complementary green teas all round and thn onwards.
Still room for pudding so 4 x Black Sesame Crème Brulèe with Japanese flavoured shortbreads (very light crispy top, blue/grey brulee, very mild but tasty) and 1 x Green Tea Fondant with Kapiti vanilla ice cream and candied sliced orange (runny bright green centre).
Overall a great evening, attentive service, beautifully presented food, tasty and unusual, very good value for money at just under $200 for the 6 of us.

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Review by: AndreS (4) on 18th August 2010

Total		9.7
Food		10
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		10
Service		10
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A
Child Friendly	Extremely

Having eaten at most of the expensive and well rated Japanese Restaurants in NZ, and many many others too I can without DOUBT tell you this is the best Japanese food in NZ as far as I am concerned. We loved this place, the food was amazing, service was excellent, they were good about finding room for my 13 month old son to sleep in his large stroller and have I mentioned the food. I am a foodie, when I go on holiday I go to eat, but we never eat the same place twice because it's so nice to go to new places and try different things. This place is the first place we have eaten at twice in 3 days EVER and if I lived there I would eat there frequently! The smoked venison with blue cheese and balsamic was LEGENDARY as was the ribs (not very Japanese we thought) with wasabi mash, which was just WOW.
I wish I had 1/10 of the chefs talent for food combinations!

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Review by: gemuwes (1) on 16th August 2010

Total		9.1
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		9
Service		10
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A

Came from Auckland with friends and decided to eat at Tatsumi for dinner. Best decision of the day! My husband and I are vegetarians, the staff was very accommodating even confirming whether we can have fish sauce in one of the dishes.
We had the deep fried tofu for entree, sauce was very nice and delicate.
For mains we had a vegetable tempura and tofu steak. I can't fault any of the dishes. The tempura was light, non greasy and crunchy. The tofu steak was firm and seasoned well. If anything I would love to have more on the plates :) but the portion was probably just right, anymore would have been pure greed!
Excellent place, if I live in Christchurch would definitely go again, 'til next time Tatsumi!

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Review by: Bubbles4me (24) on 19th July 2010

Total		9.0
Food		9
Dessert		8
Presentation		9
Service		10
Environment		9
Toilets		10

Back again on the weekend to our favourite Japanese restaurant, if not very favourite of any kind in Christchurch! The staff are fabulous i.e. polite and knowledgeable. Toilets super clean. BYO wine and in entertainment book.
The food is fantastic especially the scallops, sashimi, chilli prawn omellete .... in fact it is all yummy! Dining at Tatsumi is a true top rate experience!

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Review by: ieatpeanuts (4) on 5th July 2010

Total		9.6
Food		9
Dessert		10
Presentation		9
Service		10
Environment		10
Toilets		10

This is the second time I have eaten here and I must say the first thing I love is the consistency of excellence. The wait staff are all amazing, quite happy to explain the menu and answer any questions, friendly and non intrusive. For an entree we ordered a tasting platter consisting of 6 items from the menu, Beef Tatiki, Octopus, Yuma and Celery, Smoked Venison, Lotus Root and Smoked Salmon. They were all exceptional, I especially loved the beef, it was melt in my mouth! For a main we had Soft Shell Crab, Tofu Steak and shared the raw tofu salad, it was all simply divine, light and fresh but so delicious and filling! The desserts I simply adored, I find it quite hard to find outstanding desserts in Christchurch as every restaurant seems to stick to the same formula, however the items were similar here but with a lovely twist, we enjoy the Sesame Creme Brulee and the Pumpkin Creme Caramel, both which were wonderful, light and creamy, full of flavours, which weren't overpowering but complemented their respective dishes. The drinks were also wonderful, as non drinkers and people who don't normally drink soda we generally stick to water but were offered their childs beer which was great! The price was also great, with our Entertainment card was $73, without, $98. It is really good to see that you can experience exceptional service and food without having to pay excessive prices!

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Review by: Skye (8) on 24th June 2010

Total		8.6
Food		9
Dessert		9
Presentation		8
Service		8
Environment		8
Toilets		7
Child Friendly	Yes

Celebrated our wedding anniversary recently at Tatsumi. Nice service. The food was excellent. Had the salmon and it was to-die-for. The assortment of appetisers was okay but the portions were extremely small, especially the octopus. However, it gave us an idea as to what to order next time (the lotus hearts!!!)
While I had the melt-in-your-mouth salmon, my hubby had the squid and my daughter, the teriyaki chicken. Everyone was pleased with their selections. The highlight of the evening, however, was the anniversary surprise dessert of Green Tea Fondant. It was Heaven on a plate! It was so uniquely different and delicious that we ordered another one, plus Black Sesame Crème Brulèe (YUMMY!!!)and the Pumpkin Cream Caramel (too subtle a taste to make an impression!)
The gen-mai tea was so refreshing and delightful that we determined to buy some for home. All in all, a brilliant dining experience. And we will definitely return, especially for the Green Tea Fondant!!!

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Review by: S.A (13) on 19th June 2010

Total		8.3
Food		8
Dessert		8
Presentation		8
Service		10
Environment		8
Toilets		8

Lovely environement and after having lived in Japan for a while its fairly authentic too.
We had scallops- well cooked, tuna sushimi and deep fried tofu - which was also very good to start.
We orderer the pork cutlet- lovely, tempura prawns- good and soft shelled crab- also good and deep fried chicken- which was superb for mains.
The sesame creme brulee was unique in a good way, a lovely crisp texture on top, with a balanced sesame flavour that was not too sweet. I would recommend you try it.
The service was exceptional. Warm, friendly and accomodating. They gave us complementary warm sake because when we went to leave there was a huge party splitting the bill which meant we had a long wait. Recommend!

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Review by: krisyen (36) on 7th June 2010

Total		8.3
Food		8
Dessert		8
Presentation		9
Service		9
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A

A small restaurant tucked away beside Chancery Lane opposite the library, this has been a find. There are an abundance of Japanese restaurants in Chch but this is one of the ones I like the most in the affordable category. They have the standard sushi and katsu don and tempura but something different that they have is the deep fried soft shell crab - so good! And because it's soft shell you don't have to spend an hour trying to get the meat out, you just eat it as is. I like that you can dine in this place in an hour because their service is very quick and efficient.

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Review by: duke (19) on 2nd June 2010

Total		8.5
Food		8
Dessert		9
Presentation		9
Service		9
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A

Back to Tatsumi last night for BF's birthday. I can only echo the comments I made in my last reveiw. It was fantastic. I told them it was Tom's birthday in advance and they came out with a dessert plate with candlles and "Happy Birthday Tom!" written in chocolate They sang too! A very nice touch. And I will add that I normally wouldn't order dessert at a Japanese restuarant but what they provided was yum. Some sort of Green tea fondant with accompanying icecream, berries etc. Thanks for another great experience Tatsumi, will keep coming back.

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Review by: duke (19) on 6th March 2010

Total		8.9
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		9
Service		9
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A

I have been going here since its Kaze days and as Tatsumi it is a fav. Great service - attentive, warmed towels and prompt. Endamame and miso fantastic. We also shared the scallops, tender and juicy. The seaweed and tofu salad (I'm not a big meat eater but have not really found a tofu meal that I liked either until tatsumi) 9 pc Sashimi - tuna, salmon and groper. Soft shell crab tempura - I tell ya, I could just eat that yummy batter all day (but would be frowned upon I imagine), salmon and avo on rice. I commented to the boyfriend that we didn't really converse or look at each other the whole meal, just heads down getting the chow down. A couple of non alcoholic beverages all for about $85. Fresh, tasty, healthy-ish, value for money with top service and a pleasant atmosphere.

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Review by: food.love [DineOut VIP] (152) on 3rd March 2010

Total		9.2
Food		10
Dessert		9
Presentation		9
Service		8
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A

This is the second time I've come to Tatsumi. The last was quite some time ago, maybe two years. I remembered it being very good and after reading recent Dineout reviews, I was pleased to see that nothing had changed in that regard.
So we made a booking for Sunday night and cruised in around 7.00pm, really looking forward to some good eating.
The place was absolutely packed to the brim and I was quick to mention how lucky we were to book a table!
Menu's were given out promptly. Our drink order was taken straight away and we received them very soon after.
As far as food goes, we ended up ordering half the menu. :) For starters to share we ordered the Beef Tataki (raw beef tataki with Ponzu gelee), Smoked venison (Rare smoked venison loin with blue cheese, truffle oil) and Pan-seared scallops with Miso Beaurre Blanc sauce. All these dishes were absolutely sensational! Especially the scallops. Fresh and just lightly seared, they were just so delicious and tender!
After our appetizers we shared a bit of sushi. We went for the Eel and cucumber roll. The eel was warm and just so tasty!
After the sushi came the Sashimi. We ordered 'Today's Fish Carpaccio, served with Yuzu pepper vinaigrette and spring onion. It was Terakihi tonight and it was very, very good. One of my dining companions loved this one so much, he just about ordered another one. I was quick to stop him, reminding him of exactly how much more food was to come!
On to the main dishes. We ordered the Tofu steak, which is organic tofu steak with ginger sauce and bonito flakes with seasoned rice and boiled greens with sesame sauce. We ordered this after having seen someone next to us have it. Very tasty!
Fried squid came next with watercress, garlic butter, scorched rice and salad. I don't know how they did it, but that squid was so tender and easy to eat! Usually squid tends to be tough and chewy.. not this squid! It was great and if you want a nice, light dish, this is the one to order!
Later came the Tempura soft shell crab with Yuzu pepper salad. Yum! You definitely couldn't miss the flavour of the crab, even if a little on the oily side compared to the other dishes we'd ordered. Bit rich and heavy, but tasty!
The highlight of the night was definitely the final dish.. the Teriyaki salmon. Grilled salmon on a bed of creamy wasabi mashed potato with tempura onion rings and candied sliced orange. This meal was absolutely divine, melt in your mouth magic. I don't think I've ever eaten anything like it before in my whole life. It really was an incredibly amazing dish and the salmon was cooked beautifully! Usually for me cooked salmon is quite rich, oily and difficult to stomach, but this salmon was perfect. Soft and free of any greasiness. All the ingredients on this dish went together so well, I would come back to this restaurant for this same dish twice a week if I could! :)
Now, the waitress had forgotten to put our order for sliced pork belly through so we never got it, but that was definitely a good thing as we just about couldn't breathe at this stage. But we COULD breathe just enough to order some dessert.
Green Tea Fondant, Pumpkin Creme Caramel and a Black Sesame Brulee. I'm just about drooling just typing this out! All were of excellent quality, light and delicious. The perfect way to end our meal. I think the Green Tea Fondant was especially good and I can't wait to go back and get another one! Yum!
Overall, Tatsumi is a 10/10. The service was quick, friendly, helpful, polite and professional and the meals (ALL OF THEM) were well and truly a taste sensation. Tatsumi has definitely ticked all the right boxes and we'll be back again and again! Thanks so much for an EXCEPTIONAL meal!

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Review by: Mr Lu [DineOut VIP] (381) on 24th February 2010

Total		8.0
Food		8
Dessert		8
Presentation		8
Service		8
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A
Child Friendly	Yes

A fine peace drew its special cloak about me as I stepped off busy Gloucester Street into the arms of the Tatsumi Japanese Kitchen, an inner city haven where immaculately presented waitresses will serve you with exquisite Oriental courtesy, in the manner to which you are accustomed.
The décor is simple Shinto, with a heavenly hint, and the menu is good enough to excite the palate sufficiently well. Wine is never a strong point in Japanese restaurants and neither should it be, necessarily, so it came down to a less than basic local chardonnay (the house wine) as everything else was ‘by the bottle’. The wine was served by my waitress Saori, direct from the bottle to the glass, at my table & at correct temperature so full marks there.
On the street outside the temperature must have been over thirty degrees Celcius and not only were the restaurant’s two decorative potted shrubs looking desperate in the sun but some passers-by were eyeing me with what looked like blatant malice aforethought as I sipped my chilled wine. No matter as I was content behind what must have been the cleanest, clearest glass window I’ve seen in a long time. Not a streak or mark anywhere. Well done Tatsumi!
A first course of Summer Rolls, being chicken & cucumber wrapped in rice paper with a sesame dressing was a quantitative surprise - 6 substantial pieces of crisp, cool goodness, so very perfect on a hot February day in the Garden City.
Closely followed by an Organic Tofu & Seaweed Salad which was rendered supreme with fried spring onion slices, large, succulent but firm blocks of tofu and, of course, one of my favourite dishes, seaweed.
Saori checked on me a couple of times during this period and I assured her I was thoroughly enjoying my little interlude in the restaurant; I was certainly smiling on the inside!
Continuing in the same vein I stuck with the tofu for a main and ordered an Organic Tofu Steak with Ginger Sauce, Bonito Flakes, Seasoned Rice & Boiled Greens with Sesame Sauce. All this for a mere $16.00. The harmonious marriage of ingredients & flavours on this plate left me fully satisfied and the visual presentation was both colourful and carefully executed to complete the ceremony. I do love the delicate & sensitive Japanese treatment of food.
Not especially wanting a dessert I resisted to the best of my ability; however, Saori pointed out the Black Sesame Crème Brulee on the menu and I was ‘toast’ as they say. Along came a feisty little bandit, or should that be ‘member of the Yakuza’, dressed up in plain clothes as a crème brulee and stole my fickle heart. It was a suitable consolation to not having a coffee.
Try Tatsumi if you want to experience some ‘benevolent aforethought’ at a very reasonable price, a convenient location and with more than acceptable levels of service & cleanliness.

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Review by: Strathan (2) on 22nd February 2010

Total		9.0
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		9
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A

My wife and I enjoy Japanese food and we have been to many Japanese restaurants and we both agree that Tatsumi is fantastic.
We went with no reservations where seated quickly the staff where very dutiful and pleasant and the food and drink was great.
I would and already have recommended Tatsumi as a place to go its reasonably priced and a fantastic experience it will definitely become a regular visit for us.
Enjoy

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Review by: Bubbles4me (24) on 8th February 2010

Total		8.8
Food		9
Dessert		8
Presentation		9
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		9
Child Friendly	Very

This is the THE BEST Japanese restaurant in Christchurch. Located just opposite the public library at the entrance to Chancery Lane. Licenced and BYO wine (a real bouns). It had a revamp of the decore and menu the middle of last year and now it really can't be faulted.
My family (including 12 yr old daughter - this is her fav place)and friends are "regulars" here, maybe dining once a fortnight at least. Last visit 30 Jan. 2010. From the moment you are welcomed by the lovely staff and sit down in the calming atmosphere of this restaurant, you will be impressed. A lovely touch at the start of your meal is the hot hand towels.
The menu is a mixture of dishes for sharing or to have individually, there is not a problem with sharing dishes if you like to "graze."
Top picks:
* Tofu (starter) is absolutely silky soft (it will restore your faith in eating tofu for all of you out there who are sick of tasteless/rubbery offerings!)
* Sashimi, always fresh
* Beef tataki, delicious
* Scallops are to die for (succulent, with a light bluere blanc sauce, will leave you wanting more!)
* Cripsy chicken (sounds boring, but trust me, this dish is devine!)
* Chilli prawns with omellete (shelled prawns covered in a sweet chilli style sauce, served with a light mini omelette)
....I could go on...do try the desserts.
Try this fabulous restaurant, once you've been you'll keep going back for more!

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Review by: nk47 (5) on 16th January 2010

Total		9.6
Food		10
Dessert		10
Presentation		9
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		8

I've been to Tatsumi several times and am finally writing a review after yet another great meal there. The food is always so nice and always leaves me feeling full without feeling like I've overdone it even if I try several dishes. That doesn't mean that the portions are small, just that everything feels fresh and light. I'd never had a dessert at Tatsumi until my last visit and will definitely be going back for the green tea fondant again.
The staff are also very nice and there's always a warm atmosphere. It was good to see a group of Japanese diners bring out the chef to thank him!

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Review by: Raph-NZ (2) on 8th December 2009

Total		8.8
Food		10
Dessert		7
Presentation		9
Service		10
Environment		8
Toilets		7

Tatsumi honestly makes me want to go back everyday. The food is amazing and the service better! I am a omnivore and my partner is a vegetarian yet we are both cursed with having so many good meals to choose from, I love the raw beef and Kimchi salad and my partner loves the Tofu steaks. The Tofu is some of the best I have ever had and they have multiple tofu dishes. Every entrée is delicious and the perfect size.
The service is so warm yet professional in a traditional Japanese style which I have a great appreciation for!
I am also surprised at how little we spend each time with everything being very reasonably priced.
I'd book ahead just in case but you can nearly always get a table for two!

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Review by: Kismit (3) on 16th September 2009

Total		9.2
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		9
Service		10
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A

My sister from Auckland and I came here for dinner one Sunday evening as recommended in my entertainment book.
We were extremely impressed with the service, food - the whole experience.
Very warm and polite waitress, the food was delicious. We ordered the teriyaki chicken and tempura vegetables finished off with the most AMAZING, complimentary green tea.
Would definitely return to this Japanese restaurant, its up there!

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Review by: mark.wins (2) on 6th July 2009

Total		8.9
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		9
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		8
Child Friendly	Yes

Three of us went to Tatsumi after reading the Dineout reviews. We were all impressed with the meal quality and level of service. We tried the mixed appetisers - but found that a couple of them were a bit too exotic for our taste. The soft shell crab and the crispy chicken were very good. We are planning to return soon.

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Review by: JyK (4) on 3rd July 2009

Total		8.3
Food		9
Dessert		9
Presentation		7
Service		7
Environment		7
Toilets		8

i went to tatsumi a few weeks ago for my birthday. i had made a booking beforehand which was good as they were quite full on a sunday night. they service was good, although not consistent. the food came out quick and was beautiful, quite different from other japanese restaurants in christchurch! i loved the dessert. we ordered the lot to share-try the blck sesame brullee! bathrooms were very clean and tidy. overall, this could become one of my favs.

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Review by: wazon (2) on 30th March 2009

Total		8.5
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		8
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A

Fantastic little place with lovely atmosphere and friendly service, with beautifully dressed in traditional kimonos waitresses.
Beef tataki highly recommended! Wouldnt go for the sake again though...

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