Zai

Ph: (07) 4099 5888; Sheraton Mirage, Davidson St, Port Douglas 4877 www.sheraton-mirage.com

Japanese, $$ +
Open Tues-Sat 6-10pm; Licensed; AE, BC, DC, MC, V, Seats inside 70, Private rooms 22, 40, 6, Kids welcomed

Mietta's Review
Sophisticated setting, not traditonal Japanese. Run by the Sheraton Mirage. Not specialising in any particular aspect of Japanese cuisine, Zai can be very good but is expensive. Apart from Teriyake, sushi and sashimi there's also soups, noodles,tempura and hot pot dishes cooked at your table. Perhaps too extensive a menu in the situation.

Other published opinions

Courier-Mail Goodlife Restaurant Guide 2006 "Zai Japanese Restaurant in Pod Douglas is in a traditional Japanese building surrounded by picturesque gardens with trickling water features, little bridges and ornamental plantings. There's a sushi bar that looks into the kitchen. There's a menu complete with little pictures and graphic descriptions of the food"

Courier-Mail Goodlife Restaurant Guide 05 "A traditional Japanese building surrounded by picturesque gardens with trickling water features, little bridges and ornamental plantings houses this smart eatery. Lobsters, mud crabs and oysters destined for dinner plates inhabit the tank at the entrance"

Gourmet Traveller Australian Restaurant Guide 2005 "In a traditional Japanese house with shingled roof and pretty sub-tropical Japanese gardens, Zai is a tranquil oasis in the middle of thriving Palm Cove. As well as traditional cook-at-thetable dishes like shabu shabu and other hotpots, the menu offers a large array of seafood, meat and vegetarian options"

Courier Mail Good Life 12/10/04 Lizzie Loel "We were greeted warmly and taken to our table overlooking the garden. There's a menu complete with little pictures and graphic descriptions of the food and then there's the regular menu, which lists all the dishes including soups, noodles and barbecues."