Kisumé – Delicious Japanese in Melbourne

In keeping with our “travel rich, die broke” motto, let me introduce you to Kisumé. The Australian named Kisumé Australia’s “hottest restaurant” for 2017; Delicious magazine named Kisumé that year’s best new restaurant in Victoria. On the Kisumé website, they self describe their food as having “the purity and integrity of Japanese cuisine while infusing it with Japanese sensibility.” First let me say that we consider ourselves “sushi connoisseurs” and until now, it hadn’t occurred to us that Australia would offer good sushi. We knew we had a popular place when the only seats left in the three story restaurant were a couple at the sushi bar. Kisumé  is modern, eclectic and minimalist. There are dozens of efficient staff milling about. You are escorted to your seat by a hostess and then a sommelier brings your wine. It’s the kind of place where if you get up to use the washroom, your cloth napkin will be refolded for you upon your return. There are 3 floors of seating as well as a dozen people sitting at the upstairs counters. We had a view of the dessert chef, the salad prep and the grill in the back where flambé edamame beans and filet steaks were set alight. Work your way through the omakase – a tasting menu with optional upgrade to the very best sashimi. The food was delectable. Simply, exquisite. From the delicate sashimi and sushi to the saki-soaked grilled salmon to the rare filet served with a flamed foie gras. Unique, fresh flavours added sparkle to some old favourites. Definitely a fusion of Japanese and Australian. The wine list includes a variety of different sakes to savour and some crisp Chablis to complement your meal. ()ho knew that Chablis is one of the best wines to complement raw fish?) Of course, the price tag was grand too. With sake, and 2 glasses of wine we parted with $365. No tipping required – this is Australia. This dinner will nicely dip into our kid’s inheritance! (UPDATE: as of 2023 the omakase price will run you $275 per person!) Kisumé is located at 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne and is open for dinner 7 days a week and for lunch Tuesday to Sunday. Reservations required. Book through Open Table or online: Kisume on-line Other fine-dining experiences you may enjoy: Pluvio – Ucluelet, BC Le Petit Chef – various cities The Argentine Experience Read about our Michelin Star Dining Journey: Okeya Kyujiro (Vancouver, BC) Lars (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) Kissa Tanto (Vancouver, BC) Wild Honey (London, England) St Lawrence (Vancouver, BC) Cranes (Washington, DC) AnnaLena (Vancouver, BC) Masayoshi (Vancouver, BC) Published on Main (Vancouver, BC)