Mike Kim
Google
We dined at Aoi Tsuki during our trip to Melbourne. It was an experiential dining masterclass and felt almost theatrical from the way each guest was ushered in from the foyer to the dining area. There aren't any freestanding tables - everyone is seated around the chefs, and every seat is catered to with the same level of individual care. The waiters are invisible unless you need them, upon which they appear before you call - they are attentive, anticipative, and unintrusive - refilling beverages, clearing plates and placing the appropriate cutlery for the next course barely noticeably. It wasn't the decadence of truffle chawanmushi, grated foie gras on wagyu, smoked duck, the caviar, and the almost mandatory presence of bluefin tunas that you expect at this level of restaurants that impressed me the most. While appreciated and expected, I find them all too cliche and 'safe'. It was the innovative dishes - like the King George Whiting nigiri (topped with sesame) - that really made this place distinctly singular. This particular fish is endemic to the south coast of Australia, and it shows the chefs' understanding of the region's ingredients and their respect for locality. The sesame was a great touch and it's this type of signature creativity I'd like to see more of. The abalone, and its rendered liver, mixed together with rice, was another favourite - hints of overlap with Korean cuisine that we appreciated. My favourite part of the experience was the interactiveness. The chefs were conversational ("one bite please!") and always available to answer questions or fine-tune seasonings to preference, and my post-meal chat with the chef is one of the most memorable points of my entire trip. Thank you for generously and unguardedly sharing your insights, and for the skillful care and intention with which you served us.