TO DINE FOR Kazuki, a Japanese-inspired modern bistro is the brainchild of chef and owner Kazuki Tsuya, whose impressive resumé includes foodie heavyweight names such as The Lake House and France Soir. Kazuki’s menu fuses contemporary Australian and Japanese cuisine. After spending nine years in Daylesford, Tsuya has moved to Lygon Street in Carlton. The new interiors, designed by Design Office (Higher Ground, Congress, Marta), focuses on traditional Japanese elements – be greeted with soft grey tones and accents of Japanese elm, granite and leather touches. Tuck into scrumptious JapaneseEuropean dishes such as Kingfish Sashimi with Buttermilk, Finger Lime, White Soy and Ginger; Uni served on russet potato chip with beluga caviar and cultured cream; and Sher Wagyu Flank cooked over coals with smoked eel and port wine reduction. Desserts tread similar cross-cultural territory, with the likes of a dark chocolate tart with gianduja ganache, hazelnuts and miso caramel; plus a yoghurt sorbet with yuzu and verbena curd with Anzac biscuit crumb both appearing. 121 Lygon Street. Tel: +03 9349 2223
PERUVIAN PARTY With the recent opening of TokyoLima in Hong Kong, the cosmopolitan city now has an additional cuisine to boast about. Perched on Lyndhurst Terrace in the heart of Central, the late-night dining spot helmed by Peruvian chef Arturo Melendez serves up creative plates of Nikkei (Japanese-inspired Peruvian cuisine) eats featuring plentiful fresh seafood, interesting textures and native ingredients such as aji amarillo chilli, passion fruit Tiger’s Milk, pickled kiuri and citrus shoyu. The drinks menu, curated by mixologist Isabella Vannoni, is centred around an approachable sake list and inventive cocktails. 18 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2811 1152
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