MEZUZU

7 Victoria Ave, Albert Park Melbourne, Vic
Tel: 9699 9022

As the song says: I think I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so”.

And I do think so! Recently I lunched at one of the best Shabu Shabu restaurants in Australia. It is called Kenzan in the bowels of the ANZ towers at the so-called” Paris end” of Collins Street, The Sofitel bit.

I have written about Kenzan before. Probably the first, and still one of the best, Japanese restaurants in Australia. In Melbourne they were the first and now they are one of fifty. But their Shabu Shabu beef is still lean and clean. The restaurant still stylish and their sashimi unblemished. Service impeccable.

Kenzan set the standard for places like Kobe and now Mezuzu in Albert Park.

But Mezuzu takes Japanese dining to another level. It reminded me of that line: “ Upstairs downstairs, in a lady’s chamber”. The business card calls it “ three Japanese menus” and that is why I use the “ upstairs, downstairs” analogy. And I believe it will give the new Jamon in Richmond a bit of a shake.

In this tri-star venue you can have a bowl of noodles in one place. You can have take away. You can sit outside with the Albert Park trendies for a snack. You can sit indoors for a classy upmarket nosh with chopsticks.

On a recent visit the street tables were full and people were streaming in for takeaway. Even saw some Celebes like the statuesque, chesty, model cum novelist, Tara Moss, and her boyfriend Mark Pinnell. It has become that sort of place.

I can tell you straight off that Mezuzu has the best eel. They serve it several ways. But order a slice on a hump of rice and you will not be disappointed. It is sensational. I ordered it twice.

Their sashimi and sushi are faultless. They have waft beef and stylish duck and pork and chicken that will get your chopsticks clicking. And their shredded beef cannot be topped.

But what gets you about Mezuzu is the style of the restaurants Plural. And the comfort.

An example: We started dinner with some perfect sashimi and sushi at a regular table with some icy cold saki. And then left the table for

Dessert on a padded couch. A library atmosphere

That was where I was introduced to “ red rice” saki. Which was earthy and wonderful. And I don’t remember much more. Hic.

But seriously, I would rate Mezuzu as one of the top four Japanese restaurants in Australia. And a serious chopstick clicker does not say that lightly. The eel is awesome.

February 3 2003