Kazuki’s

Kazuki’s – Daylesford’s delightful high-end Japanese – has relocated to the gingham-clad heart of Lygon Street.

The snacks. Picture: Nicole Cleary

121 Lygon St, Carlton

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kazukis.com.au

Kazuki’s – Daylesford’s delightful high-end Japanese – has relocated to the gingham-clad heart of Lygon Street.

Beautifully, considerately lit, there are smart design touches throughout the new restaurant. The ceramics are gorgeous, the chairs supremely comfortable, the cutlery refined.

Kazuki Tsuya himself delivers dishes that make up the five- or seven-course degustation served on Friday and Saturday nights (a la carte available other times) that starts with a handful of snacks that sets the bar high.

A plump Goolwa pipi might come uncooked, untouched save a sliver of pickled ginger to highlight its sweet sea saltiness.

Lamb with spring vegetables. Picture: Nicole Cleary

A long crisp nori canoe smeared with terrific whipped cod roe and topped with pearls of Yarra Valley salmon roe for a few mouthfuls of swoon-worthy salty creamy crunch might follow, while profiteroles piped with chicken liver parfait and topped with plum jam are easy to make friends with.

There’s a sense of Euro style teamed with Japanese sensibilities that defines the meal that might include cured kingfish with a subtle lingering ginger heat, pork with diced apple teamed with spanner crab, and the highlight – a large Skull Island prawn swimming in a sake butter sauce with a few dots of Avruga.

Kazuki's in Carlton. Picture: Nicole Cleary

While portions are supremely generous, watch out for the expensive, Euro-centric wine list.

But for a special occasion in refined surrounds, Kazuki’s offers Japanese tranquillity in the heart of boisterous Lygon Street.

Must-eat dish: Skull Island prawn with sake butter

Cuisine: Japanese

Chef: Kazuki Tsuya

Price: $$$

Open: Lunch Fri-Sun; dinner Tues-Sat

Bookings: Yes

BYO: Tue-Thurs only

Instagram: @kazukisrestaurant