Izakaya Jiro

There's nothing quite like going to a restaurant where they serve you dishes that make you sit back in your seat and think "wow" - Izakaya Jiro is one such place. Situated on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn, Izakaya Jiro's exposed brick walls, dark wooden features and Japanese artwork, gives the place a casual but warm and inviting vibe.

Whilst Izakaya Jiro offers all of the usual Japanese culprits (think edamame and okonomiyaki) you'd be crazy to go past trying their assorted sashimi (which came out as pretty as a picture and was incredibly fresh) and the spicy crab ball (which couldn't have packed more flavour if it tried).

However, the dishes that really made us sit back and think "wow" were the tempura eel (the dish of the night for me - crispy on the outside, but rich and buttery on the inside) and the spicy salmon and avocado salad (if I could have salads this good every day, I would be half my size).

And another hot tip - try not to be the designated driver. Izakaya's range of plum wines and sake are not only extensive - they are absolutely delicious.

Delicious food and even better service - if you're in the mood for Japanese in Hawthorn than you can't go past Izakaya Jiro in Hawthorn.

Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 13/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

The New Fave dined courtesy of Izakaya Jiro 

 

Le Clec

Le Clec in Hawthorn ticks all the right boxes - Incredible staff who are personable and passionate about what they do, an incredible venue that offers a modern, light filled courtyard out the back with heating for the colder months, and a unique but drool worthy menu that gives most brunch venues menus a fair run for their money (no standard eggs benny in sight at Le Clec). But what really sets Le Clec apart is the small touches - I'm talking complimentary sparkling water for the table (which let's be honest, won me over immediately) and the fact that the Courtyard out the back is pet friendly. 

But what about the food I hear you ask? Well lets just say the LFC (Le Chic Fried Chicken Burger with apple slaw, apple jam and kewpie) was hands down the best fried chicken burger me and fellow diner have ever had (huge call, I know - especially for those who know how much I love my fried chicken).



The chilaquiles (oven baked blue corn tortillas with shredded pork, black bean frijoles, avacado, fried egg and sheep's fetta) were also packed full of flavour and tasted as good as they look (although unfortunately the corn tortillas didn't last the distance and were already soggy by the time the dish was served).



But make sure to save room for one their home made sweets. Whilst not looking anything incredibly spesh - this white chocolate, coconut and apple cinnamon muffin was actually one of the best muffins I've ever had. It was dense but still clearly fresh, and wasn't overly sweet even though it was filled with delicious chunks of apple and white chocolate - only made better by a quick zap in the microwave.



With all of this talk about best this, and best that, you'd be forgiven for thinking I hadn't eaten for a week when I visited Le Clec. But do yourselves a favour and give Le Clec a go so you can see for yourself why it's the New Fave.
727 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

 Food: 4.5/5
Venue: 4.5/5
Service: 5/5
Total: 14/15
Verdict: the new fave - put it as number 1 on the to do list

The New Fave dined courtesy of Le Clec

Pepper Lunch

There's something about a sizzle plate which adds an incredible element of theater to a meal - and the  the sizzle plates at Pepper Lunch in Hawthorn are no exception!

Taking patrons food orders at the front counter, the venue feels like a cross between a fast food joint (think McDonalds / Hungry Jacks) and a mid-range Japanese restaurant. The Japanese inspired menu is extensive, offering everything from hamburg to teppan pasta.

The Japanese chicken curry is an absolute must. Served on a sizzle plate, the curry sauce is served on the side so that you can pour it on yourself  - the sizzle plate is also an excellent way to keep your dinner warm!  Sizzle aside, the chicken was juicy, the sauce rich and flavorsome and the corn added a delicious taste and texture to the meal.

But if you're heading to Pepper Lunch, I'd recommend sticking to the sizzle dishes - the teriyaki beef was cold and lifeless and was quite drab in comparison to their Japanese curry.

If you're in the area and craving some Japanese Curry - then I would say definitely head to Pepper Lunch.

Food: 2.5/5
Venue: 2.5/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 8/15
Verdict: like - get around to trying it at some - but stick with the sizzle plates.

The New Fave dined courtesy of Pepper Lunch

Okra

On dining at Okra in Hawthorn East, it quickly becomes apparent how they came to be awarded an elusive Chef Hat.  Set across two levels (a general dining area down the bottom and a function space at the top), Okra's menu blends Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian cuisine.

It's the little touches that turn a good restaurant into a great one, and for Okra this included serving its Khanom Jeep steamed chicken dumplings with yogurt, soy and aioli in a saucer of hot water to keep them warm, and the baked tangy oysters on a fiery Moroccan-esque plate to add an element of theatre to the night.

Okra's Thai Green curry is the stuff that dreams are made of - rich, fragrant and creamy, paired with Okra's homemade buttery roti Chanai bread, it's one of the best dishes I have had all year. Also showcasing Okra's exceptional curry skills is their whole snapper  - whilst a whole fish may be intimidating to some, the snapper was cooked to perfection and the curry sauce was bursting with flavour.

Unfortunately the okra (their signature dish) never really stood a chance with me - as much as I appreciated the flavours and the way it was cooked, I have never been an okra fan and Okra's Tumis balachan okra with chilli shrimp paste still didn't manage to change my mind. 

Whilst it's impressive that Okra makes their own durian icecream (and I'm sure it's a flavour that would entice some) I couldn't go past the coconut or green tea icecream - a must if you still have room after your decadent feast. 

Whilst the food and the service was absolutely exceptional, there are a few (inexpensive) touches to venue that could be added to take it to next the level (for instance, some nice soap and/or greenery in the bathrooms).  

Otherwise, Okra in Hawthorn East is definitely worth the trip - even if it's just to try a serve of their dream-worthy green curry and roti!

Service: 5/5
Venue: 3/5
Food: 4.5/5
Total: 12.5/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

159 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East, Melbourne

The New Fave dined courtesy of Okra