Aoki Japanese Kitchen brings a bit of Japanese fusion to the foodie hub that Glen Waverley is slowly transforming into. Kazu Nomura was born and raised in Japan, and gained experience in various Japanese and French restaurants over more than 30 years, before eventually settling at Aoki....
Interior images of Mediterranean stalwart, Syracuse, have always piqued my interest, though I never managed to make a visit until now. Philippa Sibley has been in charge of the kitchen for just over a year - an even better reason to make my way there for lunch. The restaurant is cosier than expected, and exudes a classic warm and moody atmosphere. Syracuse was originally just a wine bar back in 1996, and there's still an impressive selection of wines to try (over 600!) as well as expert sommeliers...
Despite all the infrastructure works going on in the vicinity, the Royal Botanic Gardens is still a beautiful place to stroll through or jog around. Whether or not a visit to the gardens is on the cards, the row of restaurants along Domain Road provide sustenance for the day....
Rice Paper Sister, the sophisticated sibling of Rice Paper Scissors, is only two weeks old but is already leaving quite the impression. Like Rice Paper Scissors, Rice Paper Sister is based around shared dishes but the food is a bit less street-style. It may be the grown up sibling of the trio, but they still want you to eat with your hands. ...
Igni is an unassuming performer. It’s all too easy to walk right past the nondescript entrance without realising what’s inside. The restaurant is small, pared back, and relatively casual for fine dining. It seats about 30, and diners are treated to the spectacle of the open kitchen: the smell of cooking butter, the sight of flames coming up during service, the sizzles and crackles from the wood-fire grill. ...