In what is a very big step for The Lucas Group long-awaited, three-level concept restaurant Kisumé has finally been unveiled to the public, opening for lunch and dinner with designs to become a major player in Melbourne’s dining scene. Fashioned as a contemporary Japanese restaurant, Kisumé offers diners three options: the ground floor and basement with a sushi bar; and Kuro Kisumé on the first floor, featuring a unique omakse-style dining experience for groups of 12, plus two private dining rooms and a Chablis bar.
Master Chef K.S Moon leads a team that includes brothers Yosuke and Shimpei Hatanaka, sushi masters who have come from Japan to man the sushi bar and restaurant. 1005 Australian and New Zealand is the promise for the menu here, all used to mirror the purity and exacting nature of Japanese food. The result is menu items like Steamed King Crab Gyoza with quail egg and bonito vinaigrette; Crispy Wagyu Truffles with truffle miso and mozzarella; Seared Yellowfin Tuna Tataki with wasabi tofu and chilli yuzu ponzu; and St Helens Calamari, charilled and served with seaweed. Then of course you’ve got the assorted and specialty sushi rolls and sashimi at the bar, ranging from Alaskan King Crab with spring onion to Flying Fish Row with soy paper.
Wine is also a major focus for the restaurant, seeing as The Lucas Group have managed to assemble a very impressive team, leading by the inimitable Philip Rich and including Group Sommelier Jonathan Ross, who used to work at Eleven Madison Park in New York (currently rated the number one restaurant in the world). That’s some serious talent right there, which means the menu of everything from chablis and pinot noir to rare sake and Japanese whisky is in good hands.
The Chablis Bar is of particular interest as it’s the country’s first dedicated entirely to that famed French wine-making district. It stocks up to 80 chablis by the bottle and has a regularly changing selection by the glass.
Kisumé
Address: 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Hours: 7 days; 11am-late
Note: Kuro Kisumé ‘The Table’ omakase experience opens mid-June/.
Images supplied.
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