Review Saxe - Melbourne

Review 3.5 We were most disappointed when we arrived to be told, despite booking the restaurant, we were to be seated in the bar. We had planned on a leisurely lunch enjoying their seven-course degustation menu in the more refined, quieter restaurant setting rather than being jammed into a confined, noisy area. Perhaps a phone call to the guest prior to arriving at the restaurant would be courteous to advise of changed seating arrangements. The folk at the next table had also booked the restaurant. One person was looking after fifteen people and whilst she was very efficient, the experience was certainly not relaxed. We enjoyed the degustation offerings and flavours also the presentation of the dishes.

Amazing banquet menu, we go for the 5course with a truffle pasta added into the feast. My partner had the wine pairing and it’s awesome I hope I don’t have to drive! 5-star restaurant totally recommended, website is awesome. Just small thing I kinda put off with the booking fees, don’t like the inflexibility of the reservation system. Good food after all!

The food here was excellent. We had the degustation I think it was for 5 courses. Everything was delicious and they were very accommodating for our groups dietary requirements. The staff were really good would definitely return. The decor is lovely too.

Can’t even begin to describe the experience! Such an amazing food, texture and tastes. Also the service, Paul recommended the best wine and made the experience soo pleasant! Such a great night!

I had the slippery Jack mushroom gnocchi, delicate texture, definitely a full-bodied dish. The imperial mandarine dessert was so delicious that I had ordered another dessert, pumpkin pie, see photos Everything was to die for, will be back!

Having driven from Perth to Melbourne over three weeks, this was the best meal I have had. They took us in happily past their closing for a Christmas Eve supper that was absolutely one to remember. Excellent food, cracking music, awesome staff, and Joe the chef is as passionate about his craft as his food is a culinary experience. Truly stand out resto and definitely one to try. Five utterly deserved stars!

Fantastic modern Aust menu @Saxemelb with Asian and French influences. Of course we prop ourselves at the bar. I was surprised to discover a Tokubetsu Junmai that went so well with the Mackerel and bonito. Open since Oct. Must try! Hang with the crew at the bar, have a banter and let them entice you into cocktails, sake, wine and vermouth. Oh...and if you pick the degustation, listen to their suggestions. Your waiter always knows what is best.

Superb Food, Incredible Service and Great Venue. Have the Mushroom Arancini. You won't be sorry.

Dined here last night for my husbands 30th Birthday, we did the degustation with matching beverage pairing and loved it! Amazing food and wine and great ambience. Definitely recommend

Fabulous Chef with enormous knowledge of his industry and who takes the time to meet and greet his guests individually.. Delicious variety of great food on offer at very reasonable prices and a sommelier who really knows his stuff. Fabulous food, fabulous booze and a fabulous environment leads only to a completely fabulous experience. A must for everyone in a casual setting. Definitely don’t miss.

Great to see Chef and owner, Joe Grbac with his own restaurant where he can once again showcase his considerable talent. We sat downstairs to watch the action and were treated with great food and great hospitality. Highly recommended - will come back to to try the lounge - but most all of for the food!

Amazing food and service. It has been a long time I have been so impressed and for such a good value too.

Get in early this is going to be a busy room. Based on our soft opening experience expect beautifully crafted produce driven delights. Joe Grbac in his element, a nice new space and a dedicated team.

Great with Gluten Free and you never miss out, whatever your dietary requirements. Leave the wine choices to the expert Sommelier and you will not be disappointed. Food AMAZING!

What a brilliant dinner . Chef is super nice . Staff was funny and knowledgeable. We loved it .

Amazing food, great service, beautiful fit out.

We were invited to Saxe for some beautifully plated fine dining. As in typically the case with this type of food the portions weren’t overly generous so in that sense the value isn’t necessarily there given the cost but if you’re a foodie this place is for you. <br/><br/>We experienced interesting flavours and textures and uniquely conceptualised dishes utilising the highest quality ingredients and perfect precision in presentation. Opting for the degustation also ensures you try something different given you aren’t choosing yourself (kangaroo tartare anyone) resulting in quite the culinary adventure. You certainly won’t have a boring meal

Located close to Adina Hotel on Queens Street, is this restaurant and bar run by Joe Grbac. It's a casual and intimate space and there are two levels where you would get a different dining experience. They focus on small to medium share plates that are good for sharing.<br/><br/>The menu has a good range and the waitress told us that they keep the menu compact as they focus on the fresh and native ingredients for the season. They are ingredients driven and the menu focuses on seasonal and simple flavours. <br/><br/>We went with the wine pairing as well and the waitress recommended a good pairing for our dishes. <br/><br/>The staff in Saxe Kitchen are very knowledgeable and you can trust them in deciding the wine pairing as we really enjoyed it. Decided on the feed me menu as we wanted to try a bit of everything.<br/><br/>For entree, we started off with a gooey Mac and Cheese which was presented in a cheese croquette form and a flat bread with salted prosciutto with a touch of truffle oil. It was light and filled with flavours and I liked how it was a nice start to the meal. We also had the salmon tartare which was fresh and the ingredients worked really well together. The finger lime brought out the flavour to the dish and it was light and refreshing.<br/>We then moved on to our mains which was zucchini flowers and pork. The pork consists of three different types of meat, the shoulder, neck and belly. I liked how they all had a different texture and it was cooked through perfectly. The zucchini flowers were nicely cooked and the batter used was light and crunchy.<br/>For desserts we had the chocolate mousse on a tart with fresh strawberry compote. The chocolate mousse was light and the strawberry added in the acidity and sweetness to the dish which was nice. We opted for hot chocolate and was presented with a nice hot cocoa which I really enjoyed. It was rich and creamy and you get an option to add in sugar if you like. The hot cocoa was served with petit fours to finish off which was a nice sweet ending to the meal.<br/><br/>Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner here at Saxe Kitchen, the dishes were nicely articulated and presented and the staff was attentive and hospitable.

A sophisticated space in the middle of the city, Saxe is serving up modern Australian cuisine with flair and elegance. This two story restaurant has nailed it's aesthetic... with mood lighting, a long marble bar and lovely banquette seating. The downstairs area has views of the kitchen, and is bustling and relaxed. Upstairs is more refined and fabulous for dates and larger groups. The background music is a fantastic mix of fun tunes, and the whole atmosphere is pleasant and fun.<br/><br/>We were welcomed by the loveliest staff, and were talked through the chef's 'feed me' menu. Five courses are hand picked by the kitchen, with the aim to highlight the natural flavours in fresh and local produce. We chose to have the accompanying wines, and each one from the riesling, to the Pinot Noir were absolutely fantastic. Picking the chef's menu is a fabulous option, as it frees up the decision making, and you get to try some amazing dishes that you may not have otherwise picked.<br/><br/>We were presented with several starters. Small tasting plates of delicious treats including crispy and gooey mac and cheese croquettes, flatbreads with salty prosciutto, and a delicious and fresh. salmon dish. The kangaroo tartare with Kakadu plum and candied pecans was outstanding, and definitely delivered on flavour.<br/><br/>Our first main was a steaming bowl of hand made gnocchi with the most fabulous ragu. The slow cooked sauce was so delicious, and the little potato dumplings were the perfect foil for this amazing ragu. We also had the duck leg with beetroot three ways, and this too was a fabulous plate of food. The duck was so succulent, and beautifully seasoned; and the earthiness of the beetroot worked amazingly well. A side of delicious duck fat potatoes was totally addictive, and by this stage we were seriously stuffed.<br/><br/>We waited a little while, savouring our wine before finishing up with the cutest dessert. Little jam jars of stone fruit trifle was the perfect ending. An elderflower set custard was topped with sponge cake, diced fruit and strawberry sorbet. As a dessert lover I found this dish really highlighted the amazing fruits, and the textures made it unlike the traditional trifle that you may expect. This was definitely trifle, but executed in an elegant way.<br/><br/>Few restaurants have perfected that balance of amazing food with friendly and efficient service. However, Saxe has managed to do so, and dining here is not just fun, it's a culinary experience that will leave you anticipating your next visit.

4.5. If you are after a unique dining experience, this place is a must try! The two-storey restaurant offers two different dining experiences - a more casual, intimate space on the ground floor or something more refined upstairs.<br/><br/>We were seated on the ground floor and got to see the bartender in action with our customised mocktails and Chef Joe Grbac at work in the kitchen! Chef Joe Grbac is a renowned chef from Former Saint Crispin, The Press Club, Il Fornaio etc, so I was so excited to try what he had to offer!<br/><br/>We had some sharing dishes:<br/><br/>CAULIFLOWER MACARONI CROQUETTE WITH TRUFFLE MAYO - This croquette was really crunchy and it really brought out the flavours after dipping in the truffle-rich mayo sauce.<br/><br/>PRAWN TAPIOCA CRACKERS - This was one of my favourite dishes - It was so addictive and I can't stop eating it! Crunchy and it was like little tiny balls of tapioca joined together to make a big piece of cracker.<br/><br/>HEIRLOOM CARROT PICCALILLI, WALNUT - This was really interesting, besides the carrot and walnut, there was a sponge-like cake there for a different texture and flavour.<br/><br/>KANGAROO TARTARE, BBQ PLUM, PECAN - I don't normally eat kangaroo but it wasn't too scary (haha) and tasted great. The pecans and bbq plum are a unique touch to the dish and added some colour.<br/><br/>GNOCCHI, RAGU OF PORK, TOMATO, PARSLEY - This was really really flavourful and the gnocchi was so soft! It matched perfectly with the ragu of pork and tomato sauce.<br/><br/>BBQ DUCK LEG, BEETROOT - Our favourite dish - the bbq duck meat just literally falls off the bone! So tender and delicious with the beetroot made in three different ways.<br/><br/>We finished off with the STONEFRUIT TRIFLE and the fruits were the juiciest ever! The whole trifle was just so nice and refreshing - no sour bits!<br/><br/>Overall, this was an amazing experience and dinner. Very filling and satisfying! All the dishes were really unique and you can tell they have made everything carefully and included every little element to make the dish stand out. Thank you Saxe Kitchen.

We had a variety of dishes from the feed me chefs selection shared menu. We started our meal with potato flatbread with pancetta, mac & cheese croquette and kangaroo tartare. The flat bread was just amazing, the sauce complemented the dish very well. The kangaroo tartare was an interesting dish, it's something we usually never order, but we were pleasantly surprised. It was actually really good. Then for mains, we had gnocchi with ragu of pork and bbq duck legs. Again, they were both delicious, the beetroot in the duck dish made it much more enjoyable. Definitely would come back if we get the chance.

My partner and I had a feed me chefs selection shared menu which is perfect.<br/><br/>Whist there were a number of highlights we started with a gnocchi of ragu of pork, tomato and parsley. The gnocchi was soft pillows of the best gnocchi I've eaten. And the pork just melted in my mouth. Gosh it was sooo good lol. <br/><br/>The duck leg was perfectly cooked for me, the meat was medium, the skin firm, and it was full of flavour. This was my favourite dish. Yummo! We both smashed this dish hihi.<br/><br/>The heirloom carrot piccalilli and walnut dish was fantastic. The carrot was crunchy and this dish was the perfect accompaniment. <br/><br/>My glass of NZ Pinot Noir was just perfect, and not something that I'd generally order. Try this if you can.<br/><br/>I almost forgot, the dessert of stone fruit truffle was delicious. It wasn’t too sweet, and I really enjoyed this dish. <br/><br/>Overall this place was excellent, the food, the wine and the service I can't comment on as this was an invitation. <br/><br/>But in my experience, this place is definitely worth a visit! Try it, you won’t be disappointed.

This evening we enjoyed the 5 course share menu, a great couple of wines in this stylishly modern venue playing the sound track of our youth.  Upstairs dining is more a la cart and less about sharing while the downstairs Saxe Kitchen menu is polar opposite with great tapas dishes and nibbles. We started by sharing four dishes:  The Turkish salad with Atlantic salmon.  This dish was the lick the plate worthy, the  taramamsalata was oh so moorish, the grapes add a burst of sweetness, it had a fabulous mix of flavours and textures. <br/><br/>The Potato flat bread with spicy sauce and pancetta was incredible, the potato bread was a light and like a flaky pastry (and not at all dense) and topped with a fabulous tomato sauce. <br/><br/>Our third starter was the Caulflower and cheese Croquette topped with truffle oil, this wonderfully creamy filling was coated with a crunchy shell and topped with a truffle mayo that bought the dish to life.<br/><br/>Our fourth shared dish was the handmade sautéed gnocchi with wild nettle purée, zucchini and peas, I can only describe this as WOW. This dish had a spectacular depth of flavour and the gnocchi where the lightest I’ve ever tasted. I don’t think words can do this dish justice. It’s death row last meal EVER worthy. <br/><br/>For dietary requirements we had two different mains, we had the Barramundi, with carrots and wombok .  The skin was perfectly crispy and the fish itself so so succulent. Perfect.<br/><br/>We also had the BBQ duck leg with beetroot. The duck leg was incredibly fall off the bone tender and flavoursome and I really enjoyed the inclusion of the sweet almost jerky style beetroot. <br/><br/>For dessert we had the stonefruit trifle, this deconstructed dish was elevated with the very clever inclusion of a strawberry sobert. The sorbet cleansed the palate and kept each mouthful fresh, I can’t believe how much I loved this considering trifle doesn’t normally interest me. <br/><br/>Would thoroughly recommend and thank Saxe for their generous hospitality.

Saxe has been on my go-to list and when one of the stooges’ birthday came up, I was in charge of scoping out a place we haven’t checked out. Which means, SAXE it is! At Saxe there’s an a la carte or a set menu and of course, we got the set menu since we are oh so indecisive. Now, you can have the 5 course for $105 or 7 courses for $145. The staff recommended that we start off the 5 course and see how we feel since she was very certain that we’ll be full (that’s a big assumption mate!).

Zomato Rating 3.5 We were most disappointed when we arrived to be told, despite booking the restaurant, we were to be seated in the bar area. We had planned on a leisurely lunch enjoying their seven-course degustation menu in the more refined, quieter restaurant setting rather than being jammed into a confined, noisy area. Perhaps a phone call to the guest prior to arriving at the restaurant would be courteous to advise of changed seating arrangements. The folk at the next table had also booked the restaurant. One person was looking after fifteen people and whilst she was very efficient, the experience was certainly not relaxed. We enjoyed the degustation offerings and flavours also the presentation of the dishes.

A brilliant restaurant in the heart of the city. This chef hatted restaurant now offered a shared menu. A lovely wait staff guided us through the menu and she kindly offered suggestions. The service was very attentive and was excellent throughout the night. <br/><br/>As there are lots of small dishes on the menu at reasonable prices you can easily cover the whole menu if you’re with a larger group. As there were only two of us we still managed to mix and match what we both liked and didn’t feel like we were missing out. The highlights of the meal were Asparagus. This vegetarian dish wouldn’t usually be my first choice however this one was brilliant. The piped parma reggiano gave it an incredible taste. The Beef Cheek was melt in the mouth. Accompanied by broth and noodles, this was a very accomplished dish that looked simple in appearance but ate extremely well. By far one of the most tender beef cheeks I have eaten for a long time. The dessert of Brillat Savarin And Mango Cheesecake was served in a jar with layers of creamy cheese and pops of mango and sorbet. Really well constructed and not overly sweet with a great balance. <br/><br/>Really worth a detour for and it’s shared menu and top notch service really make it worthy of this.

Fantastic service once we got to the restaurant. The MB9 wagyu rump was the standout dish for me, so tender and full of flavour. I will definitely be back to try the degustation properly next time.

Evolving with Melbourne’s ever-changing restaurant scene, Joe Grbac raises the bar with Saxe. The two-storey restaurant offers two different dining experiences. Guests can choose to dine in the new more casual, intimate space on the ground floor known as ‘Saxe Kitchen’ or for something more refined, dine upstairs at ‘Saxe’.<br/><br/>Under the guidance of Grbac the kitchen is in safe hands. Grbac’s resume includes stints abroad at three-Michelin- starred Hospital Road in Chelsea, two-Michelin-starred The Square, a restaurant in Mayfair. Back at home, Grbac is probably most known for heading up the kitchen at the Press Club alongside George Calombaris and partnering with Scott Pickett to open critically acclaimed Saint Crispin in Collingwood.<br/><br/>Opened in October 2017, Saxe is Grbac’s exciting solo adventure where he continues to refine his style, favouring seasonal produce, cooked with experience and passion.<br/><br/>The recently launched ‘Saxe Kitchen’ downstairs, introduces a relaxed and informal approach to Grbac’s unique style.<br/><br/>We loved tasting our way through the menu. <br/><br/>To start, a selection of snacks whetted our appetites. The Kedgeree fritter was a thoroughly modern interpretation of the humble kedgeree - Crispy fritter encasing gooey spiced pulses mixed with rice and topped with curried egg. The seemingly simple dish of carrots were also a highlight. We loved the umami-laden caramelised carrots that were topped with crunchy sunflower seeds. <br/><br/>For something comforting and perfect for the unseasonably cold Melbourne winter, we recommend the gnocchi with pork ragu, tomato and parsley - a beautifully flavoursome dish which was highlighted by the light gnocchi. Simply comfort food at its best.<br/><br/>If you love rich, bold flavours, then the beef cheek is for you. The beef cheek was tender and delicious, with caramel undertones. Paired with an earthy Asian braising sauce and noodles, the cheeks fell away at the weight of our spoons whilst still retaining their integrity. <br/><br/>Whatever you do, do not leave without trying the mushroom crumpet. Think seared mushroom crumpets dripping in a rich mushroom sauce filled with diced mushroom sauce and generous melted slices of comte. It’s a thing of beauty.<br/><br/>Dessert time continued to please at Saxe Kitchen with the Mandarin trifle which was a beautiful celebration of the citrus fruit. We loved the layers of sponge intertwined with mandarin cream, curd and refreshing sorbet. <br/><br/>With dim lighting, timber communal tables, bar seating and an open kitchen that pumps out an all day and night menu, Saxe Kitchen welcomes you with a warm embrace. Elegant yet approachable and graceful, Saxe Kitchen presents a memorable dining experience that is quintessentially Melbourne. We simply cannot wait to return.

The food and ambiance is great let’s get that out of the way. We ordered the 5 course degustation ($110/pp) for the two of us and one cocktail each. When paying I realised that it came to $330 which I don’t believe our 2 cocktails were $55ea. Then saw that we were each charged extra for our main $40ea. Very sneaky! Served the receipt covered with their business card. As I was reading the receipt the guy that was serving me kept distracting me to rush the payment. So I paid and now it left a bad taste in my mouth. Lessons are: 1. Always read your receipt and make sure you read every item being charged. 2. Don’t return to this restaurant.

Came here as the menu looked great with many bold And interesting combinations.<br/><br/>Recommend: cauliflower truffle croquette, kangaroo tartare and octopus dish<br/><br/>Don’t recommend: desserts, beef rib, duck, anchovy filo.<br/><br/>It’s a very bold menu and the things that were great were amazing. A true gastronomic experience and as is always the case in this type of venue(except Attica), not every dish is a hit. Nothing was terrible and the service by the British waiter was absolute top class, banter and all.<br/><br/>It is a little pricey but the upstairs area is the most luxurious layout I’ve ever seen with large, blue velvet couches to boot. Perfect to take your mistress!!!<br/>

It’s a great place for a special work lunch. It was a little pricey and the food was good but not amazing. You could tell the quality of the ingredients was good but the execution could have been better to do the ingredients justice. <br/><br/>The chocolate dessert was interesting - it had coriander seeds and beetroot. Coriander was subtle and you could get the crunch however I think the beetroot overpowered a little. There were little dollops of this amazing quality dark chocolate that truly lifted this dessert - definitely recommend trying this one just because of the interesting choice of ingredients

Had high expectations on this place. Food was nice but the service and everything else just didn’t feel right. We came in and were told staff are all busy making drinks so we had to wait. Then we were brought upstairs sitting there for 10 mins before shown the menu. Then another 15 mins before someone came to order. No one asked us if we want a drink to start with. We ordered the 5-course menu and was told the main will only be the chicken option and if we want duck we have to add $5 each. $5 is nothing but for a $105 per head tasting menu? Really? A couple of entrees were nice. The main - duck is disappointing. Then they chose the cheapest dessert (chocolate mousse) to throw in the menu. Yeah, it’s nice but it’s nothing special.

Food and service were both brilliant!!! The wait staff have a wonderful knowledge of the wine list also. <br/><br/>My best friend and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would highly recommend Saxe!

4.5⭐<br/><br/>To try:<br/>- the 5 course degustation, just the right amount of food and a lovely variety showcasing the chef's skills<br/><br/>It does appear to be a less popular venue and is quite empty until after 7pm but definitely a restaurant that will quickly make it onto the 'Best of Melbourne' list

We ordered off the menu and enjoyed the food. Staff were attentive and friendly. <br/><br/>The only dish I was unsure about was the pork belly. Mango dessert as recommended was nice.

I had a 5 course meal that night, the experience was unforgettable. On my second course, I found a short hair on my second bite, told the waiter, he came back saying to me, its must be my eyelash, because it has mascara on it, but still willing to replace my dish like doing my a favour without any apology. the whole thing just turned me off, will not go back anymore

Great unexpected fine on Elizabeth Street in the city centre. Modern European cuisine in a plush trendy setting. Staff here are definite foodies who take pride and knowledge in explaining each dish to you as it’s presented. <br/><br/>We started off with the bruschetta and rock melon and the anchovy strips in puff pastry (way more delicious than I was expecting) and a dish called snap-crackle-pop (picture included).<br/><br/>Mains included pork scotch fillet, John Dory and the zucchini flowers with shared sides of potatoes roasted in duck fat and green leave salad. <br/><br/>Dessert finished off with stone fruit parfait and mango cheese cake and coffees. <br/><br/>Food was excellent and well presented and loved all the different dishes and tastes presented. My only negative was the length in between courses which was way too long but definitely worth a visit

The thing about service is that it can make or break a dining experience - unfortunately for Saxe it broke the experience. Not only was it slow, it was rude - with our waitress making a number of snide comments and rolling her eyes at our table on a number of occasions for no good reason - inappropriate, and rather embarrassing for our client lunch.

Exquisite that's Saxe, I attended a private function on 27 Nov, wine and food degustation, Tapannappa wines and Saxe food. The wine was excellent and the food served was a match made in heaven. Thanks to really great service from the Saxe crew mouth watering food from the chef it made it a night to remember for my wife and I. Thanks Saxe, Armadale cellars and Tapannappa wines.

Quality food, atmosphere and impressive winelist. Going back for another experience soon to try their degustation. Can’t wait to go back there and enjoy a beautiful meal with good friends!

Beautiful food with exceptional lunch value of 3 courses for $55. Impeccable service. This place is deserving of its hat and would definitely recommend for a business lunch if not dinner

Incredible venue, absolutely beautiful with brilliant looking and tasty food. My girlfriends and I sat outside in the sun, indulged in a few G&Ts and ate incredible food. The master chef featured mandarin dessert was spectacular

Came here for a business function and was pleasantly surprised by the amazing 7 course vego degustation menu created by the chef. <br/>For appetizers we were served with fried capers in oil with truffle oil mushroom paste on bread. It was so tasty, what a great start!!<br/>First course was celeriac, 63 degree egg, celery buttermilk comte crumble aleppo. It was ok with subtle flavours.<br/>Second course was bortolini beans with roasted mushrooms and pumpkin. It was an interesting and delicious combo.<br/>Third course came with artichokes, green lentils and potatoes. It was predominantly salty and filling. <br/>Fourth dish with beetroot & barley was another filling dish. Barley was really nice and chewy, cooked to perfection.<br/>Fifth dish was cabbage, melon with<br/>asparagus purée. It was difficult to decipher the purée as asparagus as it didn’t have a strong flavour. <br/>Sixth dish was a soft sponge cake served with mandarin, blood orange, sheeps milk yoghurt and almond. It was light and very enjoyable. <br/>Unfortunately I had to rush off to a meeting before tasting the last dessert which was a chocolate blackout cake with cream, hazelnut, prune and earl grey. Will have to come back to try this interesting combo of flavours.<br/>Overall the ambience was great and service was very friendly. However it took over 2.5hrs to serve 6 dishes with matching wine which was too long for a business lunch in my opinion.

Went there on a random Thursday night after work. Staffs are friendly but the service here is a bit slow. Menu is not very extensive. There were 4 of us so basically we ordered most of the things on the menu. My favorite are the beef short ribs and the pork. Meat are very tender and full of flavor can tell it has been cooked for a very long time. All the ingredients are local and very fresh. Here you can taste the real Australian flavor.

On a Friday night, I made a last minute reservation and was expecting to be turned away. We were in luck. Table available. The restaurant is upstairs.<br/>Our wait staff was friendly, but there was something uncomfortable with his approach. I can’t really explain it nor pin down on what it is, but hubby’s description was “he’s on the fake side”.. could possibly be it. By all means, he could have been completely genuine but that’s how we felt. It’s not a extensive menu. A one pager. I do remember I had struggled a little to decide what I will order as nothing really jumped out at me. We enjoyed our meal and hubby was happy with his wine.

Thanks Joe for another amazing night out with great service and incredible food. Wine matching was great. See you again soon. Pete and the team at Metro.

Our meal at Saxe was very underwhelming. The sommelier was very pushy and in our faces, and did not seem able to accept that we were not planning on drinking as much as he hoped, trying to push alcohol on us all night long. The food was hit and miss, and the vegan menu was one of the worst I have experienced. The food was bland and unimaginative. Our carnivore friends were similarly unimpressed. Will not be returning.

A genuinely great emerging Melbourne restaurant.  Had a lovely dinner with the family: service and food second to only the rare few.   Great value but a terrific menu and wine list to choose from.  Will be going back soon, I'm sure.

We had the degustation which I quite enjoyed by my companion found had too many fish courses. I love seafood so was not faded but I did acknowledge that the eel course did have a strong flavour and aroma. The chicken dish was our favourite, with the breast being cooked so beautifully, tender moist and juicy it reminded me of the chicken I'd had many years ago at Cutler and Co (before the renovations) They make you wonder whether you'd been coming and eating chicken wrong all your life.<br/><br/>Overall pleasant but not standout.

Amazing food and great atmosphere! Wait staff were attentive without being overbearing. Loved every dish I had and they have a great wine list! Can’t wait to go back again!

Eating at Saxe was a superb experience. Staff were attentive and informative with a good knowledge of dishes provided. It was interesting hearing the background to each dish. We had the degustation menu which was paired expertly with delicious wines. A particular highlight were the pork and quail dishes. Cannot recommend this restaurant more highly.

My husband and I went to Saxe for a special birthday occasion after hearing great things. We were not disappointed. We went for the 5 course taster menu, which was delicious. The waiter recommended the wagyu beef, which was a highlight, served with a beautiful glass of Barolo, also a recommendation. <br/><br/>The food is obviously prepared with skill and care with inventive combinations of food that work really well together. <br/><br/>The ambience is sleek and intimate, which the made the perfect setting for our special night out. We will definitely be back!

SAXEy as as get go! <br/>Beautiful fit out, brilliant food and fantastic hospitality, Saxe is not to be missed. Joe Grbac has been a staple in the fine dining scene and it was great to hear he is now the owner and chef of this special addition to Melbourne's varied food scene. My partner and I enjoyed the down stairs bar overlooking the kitchen where we could see Joe on the pans - even though the restaurant was busy, Joe managed to find time for a chat and to explain his fantastic food. Highly recommended - we will be back!

3.5 Would I return? Sure, for a drink. <br/>Booked for a work event, we had the place to ourselves. Our menu choice therefore will have differed slightly from the norm. I had kangaroo for a starter which was tender and tasty. The beef cheek main fell apart which is exactly what you anticipate. The portion sizes were maybe a little small but I guess that’s the gourmet look Saxe is going for. Cannot comment on the price personally. More likely to go here for a drink; the staff took the time to talk us through some red wines and whiskeys which was appreciated and certainly enjoyed.

Nice room and staff were very welcoming. Had the 5 course menu & added a special chicken dish. Glad we did it was the star of the night. The chocolate tart for dessert was amazing. Not lovers of chocolate desserts it was an absolute delight not sweet and the sour cream I’ve cream was devine!

We went on quite a busy day and found it hard to attract staff’s attention, but in saying that, the food was excellent and the little additional touches made the experience very worthwhile. Highly recommend a visit ! <br/>

I came here for a birthday dinner with my partner and it was fantastic! We went for the 7-course degustation and it served an excellent variety of food off the menu. There wasn’t a single dish I wouldn’t recommend - everything was so flavourful and clearly carefully planned out. The presentation was great too- letting the food speak for itself with no main ingredient being smothered by its surrounding sauces or seasonings. The two desserts that came with our tasting menu were honestly the best I’d ever eaten!<br/><br/>The service was excellent too - we had several different servers throughout the three-hour experience and each were incredibly knowledgeable, professional and charismatic. Well done on providing a great experience (and for all the climbing of the stairs!)<br/><br/>I would highly recommend trying this relatively new restaurant out - you will be guaranteed delicious and richly flavourful food and a great atmosphere. I wouldn’t recommend it for large groups or for a quiet intimate experience as there is limited seating and it does get noisy (but I enjoy that sort of experience myself), though it does make for a quality date night.<br/><br/>If I could fault it in any way - and I suppose it’s not really a fault here - but I would recommend the five-course degustation instead of the seven-course as the servings are very generous and it was definitely a struggle to get through all the dishes without being a little uncomfortably full. <br/><br/>Congratulations on opening a winner - I can’t wait to come back for my next special occasion! <br/>

The holy triumvirate of delicious food, delectable wine and inch perfect service. One of the best meals I’ve had in years! Go the truffle rissoni and push it out to the luewin estate chardonnay and you’re life will be changed (for the better).

We went here for dinner for my partners birthday. The restaurant has beautiful decor and the perfect space between tables to have that intimate setting for a special occasion. We ordered oysters, entree duck and kangaroo tartare then main duck and beef wagu. We could not fault the meals -Absolutely beautiful - produce / meat very high quality and all with creative flavours and presentation. The deserts were fantastic although the presentation of the cheesecake was not as good as my chocolate moose. Throughout the evening the staff were very attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu and wines. Ultimately, a fantastic up and coming restaurant. We will be back!!

Me & my friend had dinner at Saxe few weeks ago , I actually quite like their dishes , I ordered the dish is called “ courgette flower,broad bean, butter bean & white onion broth”. Chef use an unique vegetable which can only find at few Chinese vegetable market & is quite expensive. Will go back again for sure .

This was one of the best chef’s menus I have ever had. Each course was an amazing balance of flavours and textures. I couldn’t fault anything about Saxe, from the service to the drinks to the food, it was truly wonderful! Seriously, if you’re unsure whether to go or not, just book already - you won’t regret it!

Food was very good, may have been under staffed given holiday season as service was rushed and big gap between meals. In line with a place that’s only been open for 3 months... Wine service excellent! Worth a try...

Last Friday MIL and I headed off to Saxe for our now traditional 'pre-Christmas' Christmas.  The upstairs dining room was packed, and all the food coming past looked amazing.  We opted for the 7 course tasting menu and settled in for a delicious couple of hours.  The seven courses consisted of 4 starters, a main and two desserts, one of which was a very interesting take on a cheese course.  The kangaroo tartare was a highlight!  Really interesting take on kangaroo and a delicious tartare. A wonderful way to celebrate and definitely worth a visit.

Great addition to the city with all the right flashes of what Saint Crispin used to be before someone got greedy. Lovely fitout and great staff. Friendly and know their stuff. Food was beautiful. Every dish with great technique and elements of surprise. Wine list is concise but has some great options and plenty of choice under $100. Few more Pinots wouldn’t hurt though 😬. Half a point off because I can’t spend Saturday afternoon drinking wine upstairs next to the window.

Amazing food. Original, unpretentious using seasonal fresh ingredients. Friendly staff who knows exactly what is coming out of the kitchen and the wine list. We had a gluten intolerant diner and a vegetarian in our group who say that they will be back. Tip: have a cocktail or two downstairs before and after your meal. Interesting modern cocktail list and a mixologist who will also rock something up just for you. Love it and must go back before the rest of Melb finds out.

We decided to try this new gem this evening and opted for the degustation choice amongst the 4 of us. Each dish was perfectly prepared with the most amazing flavours delivered at each turn! The ambience is warm and inviting and the staff superb. We look forward to trying this again by the amazing chef. You won’t be disappointed. Such a Great new restaurant and one to watch.

Had a wonderful dinner at Saxe. Had the chef’s selection and everything was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious! Staff were so knowledgeable and friendly. The space was very comfortable and inviting while also being cool and classy! Can’t wait to go back very soon. Would give more than 5 stars if I could!

I had a beautiful meal at Saxe! I opted for the spanner crab, bass groper and cheesecake dessert and it was all delicious. The bass groper was cooked to perfection and paired with chorizo black rice - it worked perfectly. The cheesecake with the tapioca pearls was divine. I also enjoyed some fabulous Italian wine. The decor looks amazing in the upstairs dining area. Downstairs seems to have a more relaxed vibe. Staff were very knowledgeable and service was also top notch. I highly recommend Saxe and I’m looking forward to going back. This will become my regular go to!