Melbourne Lifestyle Blog
+4
Hidden along the quieter end of Carlisle Street in Balaclava, this Japanese eatery could easily be missed. Promoting itself as modern Japanese, En Izakaya may not be traditional, but it is authentic. The décor is sleek with touches of Japanese wood features to make you feel right at home in a real ryokan. The lunch time I was there, the service strengthened this, with a single woman serving with grace and politeness.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
I have been coming here for years and just realised I have never written a well deserved 5 star review.
This is a quiet, smaller restaurant in the middle of a shopping centre I often frequent. You walk in and feel peaceful, relaxed and ready to try everything. It is predominantly cooked rather than sushi but they do have sushi and sashimi and all of it is high, high quality and wonderfully done.
One of my very favourite dishes is Tuna Sashimi with a superb wasabi and pistachio sauce, it is a must try. I have come alone for lunch and with friends for dinner and no one has ever been disappointed. They have lots of vegetarian options which are all done delicately and beautifully, the plates look like picture. I have had so many things there, the wage and tofu is so different from any other places I have tried it. They have eel that is just heaven in your mouth. The dishes are small so look to enjoy and savour rather than fill up - but you do leave very satisfied
They have lunch special menus which allow you to try 4 small portions together that also come with the best miso soup you have ever had, it incorporates different types of seaweed rather than just the flat green, and the taste, especially in winter, as it comes warm and nourishing is also special.
Yes, another highly recommend.
On ANZAC Day eve we were grateful to find a romantic restaurant open for dinner! The interior was moody with stylish drop lighting and the service was fast and friendly.
The menu was sharing style, with dishes from the garden, sea and paddock and averaging around $17 per plate. We ordered the:
- Tuna Sashimi (w/ spring onion, soy & wasabi dressing),
- Hokkaido Scallops (sashimi & nigiri sushi) and the
- BBQ Ox Tongue
All dishes were elegant, balanced and extremely tasty! I particularly enjoyed the wasabi dressing on the sashimi :) Although, the portions can be quite small for a very hungry person!
Overall, an intimate atmosphere with delicious Japanese morsels, however I think a full meal would cost more than Zomatos suggested $80 for two. Although, we do go to town on our dinners!
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