THERE'S not a notepad to be seen at Wagaya restaurant in Haymarket. At this epitome of the computer age, reservations are made by SMS and diners use touch-screens to order everything from sashimi to cocktails.
Each table in the large modern-Japanese restaurant has its own screen, recessed into the wall at eye level. With the touch of a finger, diners scroll through menu options divided into categories including entrees and salads, grilled, sushi and sashimi, rice and noodles, and alcoholic drinks.
If something looks appealing, touch it and a more detailed picture and description pop up. Touch the "Order now" tab and the request is sent to the kitchen where a team of chefs starts cooking. Within minutes the dish is at the table, so diners can eat while deciding what else to try.
If it sounds complicated, Wagaya spokeswoman Junko Yajima says even the least tech-savvy patrons have no problems.
"The touch panel is obviously a very new thing to have in a restaurant, so we were worried customers would complain about it being too technological but so far no one has had any problems at all," she says. "They jump in straight away and are clicking like crazy, ordering away. I think because computers and the internet are so popular these days, this sort of technology in restaurants is really just the next step."
Diners seem to think so. The 200-seat restaurant is booked out most nights.
On Good Living's visit people queue up the stairs and those without a booking are turned away. At every table, diners huddle around the screens laughing and fighting over who does the touching. Next to us, a man tells his teenage daughter: "You can do the entrees, your brother can do hot pots, mum can take care of drinks and I'm doing the rest because I'm paying."
Paper menus for Luddites are left untouched at every table.
Our first choice is the home-made gyoza. On the screen they look delectable and they arrive hot and juicy, three minutes after we order. Next is udon soup and tempura, which is over-battered but tasty. Grilled wagyu beef skewers, crispy tonkatsu and scallop and garlic fried rice follow.
The touch screens are efficient, easy to use and fun but the novelty is intoxicating and low prices (dishes are $5 to $12) make it easy to get carried away and order too much food.
SMS reservations: 0416 200 223