Izakaya Den - Melbourne - Basement, 114 Russell Street, Melbourne

I feel that there could be better Japanese going on in Melbourne and I am praying that there is more to come in future. I still think Sydney is better but only for Japanese and nothing else.

But I am thankful to the God of Food that Izakaya Den did arrive. 

It is dark, it is secret and I feel like a movie star as I swipe the curtain away upon entering.

I love it, I love it, I love it!

Lunch is great - a set menu with about 3 courses.  The barramundi is superbly cooked as are the wagyu and seared raw tuna.

But dinner is the best!  It is work waiting in the queue on Friday or Saturday night but try and go on another night during the week.

A lot of it is about the sake - hot, cold, warm, sweet, strong - it is a big menu decision in itself. For those who are not lovers of sake, there are quirky Japanesy style cocktails too.

Favourites for dinner are the quail, grilled barramundi (again with the barra), umaki japanese omelette, spicy tuna tataki, daikon salad, wagyu - hang on, is that almost the entire menu?

But then you also have to try the specials - surprises like crumbed fried sardine with a splash of lemon and some Japanese sauce or the duck liver parfait with deep fried wonton skin are trully exceptional.

Desserts are for me just "ok", but don't respect me with any decisions here, as I am not a big fan of Asian desserts. But you can always go across the road to Il Bacaro for a pannacotta and sauterne - a perfect solution I think.

The service is impeccable.

Price is around $65 per head but it really depends on how much you eat. I am a guts so it can cost up to $80 or $100 with some good sake.

Excellent - and my folks love it too - even better.

9/10

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