Yakimono

Bright and funky, but still oozing class, Yakimono is a fun and delicious place to get together with a group of friends. Pop by for a lively night of Yuzu-scented Cocktails, Japanese Beers, flame-grilled Skewers and more Japanese delicacies.

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Location: 80 Collins, 80 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 8616 7900

The burst of pink, blue and green neon that marks the corner spot of Yakimono is a good indication of the vibe you’ll find once you climb the stairs to the second floor venue.

This is another of the hugely successful LUCAS Restaurants. The man who gave us Thai Fusion party times with Chin Chin and a high end French Brasserie in the form of Maison Batard is on a roll. Chris Lucas has already found a willing audience for his refined Japanese establishment, Kisume. But with his unerring knack for mining both ends of the Melbourne dining world, saw room for a more affordable spot with a high-energy atmosphere. Enter Yakimono.

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Channeling the lively Yakitori Bars of Tokyo and Osaka, the focus here is Japanese favourites, cooked over fire. Throw in delicious Cocktails along with an extensive range of Japanese Whiskies, Sake & Shochu – and that buzzing ambience – and you have a memorable night out with a gang of friends.

The Space

When you first enter the restaurant, you are face-to-face with a large open kitchen.

To the left, there’s a long bar and the usual Lucas Group talent for displaying pretty bottles to their advantage. The rest of the area is given over to a large dining room.

Although we’re visiting during daylight hours, the artfulness of the lighting scheme is such that you could almost be in Shinjuku at nighttime. Those neon hues from the exterior are present in bright orange spheres suspended from the ceiling and clever LED strips set into corners and architraves.

It’s moody, yet vibrant, at the same time. And it’s also surprisingly expansive. Not only that, but there’s another whole floor of tables a floor above, if needed, though its obvious use is as an events space.

The Food

As is the current trend, the kitchen at Yakimono does a number of Set (Setto) Menus to ease the stress of having to navigate the various dishes unaided. However, for once, the 3 of us decide to fly solo and make our own selections.

We dive straight in with the Dynamite Tuna Hako (3pc $14.5). These are a rectangular, 2-bite, Sushi Rice ‘Sandwich’ of Tuna Tartare & Crispy Chilli on a smear dollop of smooth Avocado. They are good, but we like our Chilli Crisp a tad crispier and hotter.

More successful are the Yuzu Prawn Gyoza (5pc $22.5). In fact, we like them so much that they are almost gone before I get a chance to take a picture of them! Fat with a juicy Prawn filling, they sit in a fabulous Ginger Chilli Sauce that we all launch into with our spoons.

Amongst other delights, Yakimono celebrates the Japanese love of skewers cooked over charcoal. With this in mind, we each choose something from the Cooked on Sticks section of the menu.

The Wagyu Beef Intercostal ($16.5) with a Smoky Soy Glaze is incredibly tasty and leaves a great umami-rich mouth-feel. In contrast, the Negi Chicken ($12.5), served with Chicken Salt & Spring Onion Oil is light and succulent. Then there’s the Koji-Marinated Lamb ($13.5) with Pickled Daikon Yakiniku. Beautifully flamed and retaining all its natural juices, it’s divine – though a smidge more Daikon wouldn’t go amiss.

After that, we share a lovely plate of Pork Tan Tan Noodles ($21.5). Yes. We know it’s Chinese rather than Japanese, but we are suckers for a touch of Asian fusion and this dish is great. Fragrant Minced Pork and Black Sesame in a Chilli Oil sauce. It looks appetising, smells wonderful and the flavour is bang on the money.

Now as we haven’t (for once) overdone it on our savouries, we feel we are entitled to a Dessert. And we are so happy with our decision. The Matcha Tiramisu ($16.5 and 3 spoons!) is excellent. Pillowy, not-too-sweet Matcha infused creaminess, and a hint of Plum Wine. It’s all topped with a dusting of Matcha Powder, a scattering of Raspberries and Raspberry Rice Bubbles. Suffice to say, we fight over the last mouthful.

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