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Toshokan Austin Reviews
Phenomenal Omakase experience.
....especially this being my first time trying Omakase. Each course was a work of art, beautifully put together, showcasing fresh, top-notch ingredients. Chef Saine Wong and his staff were very attentive and such a pleasure to be around. I will admit this omakase experience was more than I wanted to pay, but I'm so glad I did it. I would love to come back for a second time!
AMAZING EXPERIENCE! The ambiance was great.
It was lively and filled with so much revelry for only having 6 guests at a time. Each course was meticulously done and was delicious. Chef Saine, Nadia, and Ian were attentive and a joy to be around. They catered to our allergies and dislikes very well. The price is as much as any omakase around Austin. Recommend going in pairs. Honestly, I can't wait to go again!
Saine Wong, is the Executive Chef and Owner.
Originally hails from Los Angeles and moved here during the pandemic. He curates the meal by talking you the journey of the ingredients and menu. He has a map with pins that highlight where what places he's been and another color of where the evenings omakase ingredients are from. The restaurant accommodates six people for an intimate experience. There's a sake pairing and/or sake & cocktail pairing you can add one. Chef Wong, interacts with everyone and it really was a fun experience. So glad I FINALLY got reservations. When they release openings, act fast as they fill up quickly! P.S. Bring your wallet, because you'll need it. Oh, he's a BIG Taylor Swift fan and travels to see her. You just might see him pull out a guitar and sing a song for you or with you.
Amazing experience.
10/10 sushi and the chef is really friendly. The drinks are amazing and overall it's a wonderful experience. Only thing I don't recommend is doing the optional add on dishes at the end - it was meant to be $300 for 14 plates each which is fair for 2 of us with the flat rate. But it somehow ended up a $700 with one of us getting the 4 additional plates and the other getting 2 additional. That's the only reason for it being 4 instead of 5 stars. Besides that huge jump not making sense to me I'd definitely recommend this place for a date night!
I had been unlucky snagging rezzys here since they first
I had been unlucky snagging rezzys here since they first opened and I was tired of losing sleep on the midnight drop. They switched the times to the morning so I figured I would try again and I finally got lucky and snagged some! We went back in August at their new Perish location. The whole experience exceeded my expectations. I was a little worried about parking upon arrival after reading some negative reviews about Pershing if you are not a member, but thankfully the gate guard was very polite, and it's gated parking so your vehicle is safe. Once you are seated with the others in the lobby, the amazing bartender does a meet and greet game with everyone along with your first alcohol sampler that was very unique and tasty. Once you are seated at the bar for dinner, you get a custom coaster with your name on it that's a keepsake, a nice little touch. The chef has a map of where he sources his food which is really neat to see as well. Every bite was unique and delicious, there wasn't a single bite I did not enjoy. I did not do the alcohol pairings and I am so glad I opted out for that because the old fashions were mind-blowing. It was made with Japanese whiskey and A5 wagyu rendered fat that was just dreamy. Pairing that with the A5 Wagyu sushi bite was a match made in heaven. The bone marrow was also one of the best I have had in this city. I had more reservations a couple of weeks ago and gave them to a buddy of mine, who sat next to an F1 driver. You never know if someone famous might be in your group! In the end, the chef played 6 or so songs that we all drunkenly sang along with him too, the cherry on top of a perfect night. Can't wait to come back!
6/5 best dining experience of our life.
Intimate and close event. Great, amazing, bartender and chefs. Well educated on the cultural background of the food they are preparing, and beautiful presentation. It is expensive, so please expect $135+ per person minimum, and can exceed $400+ quickly with two people and tip!!! Totally worth the money if you're willing to spend it. It's a nice anniversary, birthday, or even single person dining experience. I would do it once every few months due to budget haha, but that's cause I don't make big bucks! Really nice people who engage in conversation so don't feel uncomfy on a solo date. Add yourself onto the waitlist and keep an eye on your email! That's the way I got in.
Best fish I've ever eaten.
Best oyster. Best steak bite. You name it. This was the most incredible sushi I've had. I've been to Nobu, Uchi, Uchiko. Nothing compares to this and the mix of flavors in every bite. Had the sake pairing which was nice as well. It was pricey! But I felt like I was having a meal that you just can't have anywhere else. Can't wait to go back.
Nothing to complain about here! Another great omakase
Nothing to complain about here! Another great omakase choice in Austin. Casual vibes, modern and fun twists, nice people, good food, you just can't go wrong! The only difficult part to swallow is how much you have to fight for a reservation, but Chef Saine really helped me secure mine after a cancellation while honoring everyone as fairly as possible. Can't extend my gratitude enough! This 6 seat omakase experience located behind a locked bookshelf in the Native Hostel hosts a globally inspired menu for a fancy dinner with a loved one. Leave the snooty attitude at home because the staff consists of a talkative and wisecracking professionals that encourage conversation. You're greeted with a small alcoholic sipper before being escorted to your seat with a coaster you can keep. Without spoiling any surprises, you can expect every bite to be great with my favorite being the chutoro. As most do, you can choose to have a wine or sake pairing (or just order cocktails a la carte as I do) or extend the meal with some off menu options as well. Great drinks, great food, great fun (might just repeat that again and again). Getting a whole package with pairings, more food, your reservation, and tip can run you over $600 for two people, but this can be cut in about half for the standard omakase experience. Although this place is open only a few days out of the week, I suggest trying their omakase at least once if you're an omakase junkie like me! Beats at least half of the ones in Austin so far, and I can see myself coming here again (but maybe for a special celebration since we can't lie that it's on the pricier side of most here).
I am so grateful to have had a chance to dine at Toshokan
I am so grateful to have had a chance to dine at Toshokan ("library" in Japanese), one of the hardest reservations to score in Austin. I love the speakeasy feel, an intimate 6-seat sushi counter hidden behind a bookshelf. We were first greeted next to the Native Hostel bar by Wyn, the beverage director. Among the diners, we did a few ice breakers to get to know each other a little. Definitely sets the mood for the night, especially given there are only 6 of us! She then led us to the bookshelf, where we were greeted by Chef Saine and welcomed into the omakase room. The 14-course omakase was everything I wanted and more! We started with the signature maguro atop crispy thin potato, as featured on the cover of Austin's Tribeza magazine. Closely followed a few courses later by the juicy, soft otoro... that melt-in-your-mouth feeling (iykyk)! Chef Saine adds some unique twists of his own to his sushi, too! Loved the spicy marg-inspired hamachi - reminds me of the hamachi-chili/serrano pepper/ponzu combo that many sushi places do as a sashimi course, but this one had bolder citrusy notes on it. I also liked the Kona kanpachi with chili oil, with that added sweet-spicy kick! If I had to choose a favorite of the menu, it would be the Hokkaido hotate with Peruvian-inspired salsa verde and chili oil. I haven't visited Peru (yet... it's on my list!), but this makes me hella excited. I've never had such a combination with the scallop before, but it works so well! That, followed by the "steak and eggs" A5 wagyu... It's not fair at that point - game over! I added on 3 extra courses as chef's choice, which turned out to be Hokkaido uni, escolar, and foie gras... MY GOODNESS. They just knew the way to my heart! Honestly, I have no words to describe how happy I was during my dining experience. I had the sake pairing - which, to be honest, I struggled a bit to finish due to my low tolerance... But I highly recommend it if you're a sake fan! Wyn has quite the palate for pairing the sake to the sushi courses! I loved watching the chef work seamlessly with his sous chef, Hunter, to slice the fish and place the finishing touches before delicately placing each piece in front of each diner. He makes it seem easy, carrying light convos with each diner and creating a lively atmosphere while delivering excellent quality. Thank you so much, Toshokan team, for such an incredible night! 100% worth the hype and beyond!
The Good: :: it's a local business! :: it's got this
The Good: :: it's a local business! :: it's got this great speakeasy-style vibe to it without being pretentious :: intimate experience--there is limited seating (6 diners at a time only) but it feels cozy and accessible, and conversation flows quite easily among the diners and the staff :: the 14-course omikase experience is to die for. every single thing you eat is a delight on the palette. i've had the fortune of dining there a couple of times already, and they have not disappointed either time. every bite is balanced, allowing the highlight (whether fish or beef or something else) of the serving to really stand out in a pronounced way, accentuated by the few selective flavors they use to bring a burst of flavor in every course served :: they give you personalized name coasters, and there was even a hilarious customized coaster with "waitlist wednesday" on ours one time when we got in as part of a waitlist! love the personalized touch :: they do substitutions when necessary (e.g., you don't eat beef, they will use something else that you do eat) :: the alcohol pairings are fantastic--i always choose the sake path but they have other alcoholic beverages available as well :: the service is great--friendly, easygoing, honest, and will help you optimize based on your preferences The Bad: :: it's extremely hard to get reservations--however, you can try your luck at getting on the waitlist The Ugly: :: none Would I go back? Absolutely YES. If I can get a seat, you will find me and my big belly and gigantic rump ready to feast. Chef Saine is awesome and I'm looking forward to the next time I can snag a spot to dine there and see what he cooks up to serve his guests. This place is IN.
All I'll say here is Toshokan is ABSOLUTELY worth the hype!
All I'll say here is Toshokan is ABSOLUTELY worth the hype! I'm not entirely clear why Austin has spurred the creation of multiple highly specialized omakase eateries the past few years, but I've dined at most of them, and Toshokan is hands-down the best. If you're already familiar with Austin, you might be surprised that the restaurant is housed at the Native Hostel, which was forced to axe its accommodations business due to the pandemic (but which has pivoted to leasing its former sleeping spaces to local businesses). By design this insures zero crowds and complete focus on the cuisine (and beverages - probably stating the obvious that they have a stellar sake menu). A few pro tips: first, they open reservations for the *subsequent* month on the 1st - meaning they opened their May reservations on April 1st - and they do so at exactly 10am CST. I'd strongly suggest signing up for Tock (their online booking service, also used by plenty of other eateries) beforehand so you can quickly book: all you do is sign in, pick a time, & check out - problem being you might have a couple thousand other people trying to do the same thing at the same time. Also, assuming you don't mind dining solo, you can always try to snag a spot on their wait list; I've successfully done so several times. (You can put yourself down for two or more seats, but you're much less likely to snag a seat.)
I have had the pleasure of enjoying every omakase
I have had the pleasure of enjoying every omakase experience that ATX has to offer and I was thrilled to finally be able to add Toshokan to my list. While there are not too many differences between your omakase experience's, what stands out the most at Toshokan is the fact that it is a hidden speakeasy with incredible music, the personalized coasters are a great keepsake and I loved the fact that Chef Saine has a map with pinpoints to not only show you the countries where he has traveled, but also highlights where your meal for the evening has come from! Previous reviews have mentioned how hard it is to secure a reservation and I can concur. Reservations are released on the 1st for the following month and while they are typically released at the 10:00am standard time associated with Tok, sometimes the release time changes and for that reason, it is best to check and or follow them on IG. I do suggest setting your alarm as the minute reservations are released, they are sold out within seconds!It was a wonderful experience and we will definitely be back!
My friend made a reservation and invited me to join.
I had no idea it was a private omakase experience until we arrived and was blown away. The vibe of the chef, staff, and our dinner mates was so welcoming and the intimate space was perfect. The food was incredible. Every bite made my mouth tingle with delight and the sake pairings were on point. We added several a la carte items after the 14 courses and might have overeaten, but it was worth it. One of the most memorable meal experiences in Austin! I will be back :)
More than anything, what deserves the 5 stars at this
More than anything, what deserves the 5 stars at this restaurant is the ambience! Not only is it hidden behind a bookshelf with a true speakeasy experience and a welcome cocktail while you wait to be let in, but also the staff are super friendly, the music is bumpin, and if at least 5/6 people order the sake pairings, the chef will do a singalong at the end of the night on his guitar. Where else do you find that kind of experience? It felt like being invited to an exclusive house party!Sushi wise, Chef Saine definitely does his own twists on a traditional omakase, such as including a steak and egg inspired nigiri and foie gras nigiri. If you're a sushi purist, you should consider Tsuke Edomae's omakase instead, but if your focus is to experience new flavor combinations you haven't had in sushi, this is an excellent experience. For an entry point of $135 per person it's one of the more affordable omakase dinners in town. That being said, with the $85 sake pairing, and other add-ons at the end of the night you can easily take that to $300 per person if you're not careful. If you manage to snag a reservation to this place, you can be sure you'll have a fun time!
Wow! What an experience! I came here for a special event -
Wow! What an experience! I came here for a special event - Sushi with Strangers (6 total seats where you could only make a reservation for yourself) and it was perfect. It's so evident all the attention Chef Saine puts into each course of the Omakase experience. I also opted in for the Sake pairing. I can't recommend this place enough!
Great food, great service, outstanding setting.
We bought 2 seats at a charity auction and had a fantastic experience. The chef/owner and his team were all great. We loved every piece of sushi they served. The sake pairing was really tasty as well. Overall, a truly unique and intimate dining experience.
There was nothing about our experience at Toshokan that
There was nothing about our experience at Toshokan that wasn't perfect. A true 11/10 experience. Every single bite of the 14 course Omakase was masterfully crafted, carefully conceptualized, and executed PERFECTLY. From the flown in freshness of the fish, to the top tier creativity and selection of ingredients ; Chef Saine and his incredible team of 3 made this a meal never to forget. Each dish tells a story, and by the time the night is over you'll leave with your heart happy and your stomach full. Would give 6 stars if I could. Definitely will be back!
I almost don't want to go into a lot of details here and
I almost don't want to go into a lot of details here and ruin any surprises. Just know this, it's amazing. Hands down one of the best experiences you'll have in Austin food wise. The attention to detail, hospitality, and food will leave you wanting to come back within a week to enjoy again. The Chef/Owner is incredible, and the staff pairs perfectly together with him working the room of just six people eating at a time. I'm also missing about 8 more photos of other dishes, tried to just enjoy the event. About a 14+ or so Omakase Bring your Amex card and have fun! (That is....If you're lucky enough to snag a reservation!) That damn scallop dish! Sweet Baby Jesus.
Loved the speakeasy experience.
The sushi pieces were great but not perfect. There was a little too much rice for each piece and the flavor was slightly off.
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If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Toshokan Austin at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Toshokan Austin page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* MaternalRecord73, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* MaternalRecord73 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to MaternalRecord73 for any questions Peter may have as MaternalRecord73 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* MaternalRecord73 now uses their connections at Toshokan Austin to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If MaternalRecord73 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, MaternalRecord73 receives the $200 reward which is credited to MaternalRecord73's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Toshokan Austin!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
