My aunt visited from New York, you know that city where the coolest of the cool make it first, and we catch on to food trends a decade later. So where in Melbourne could I take her for dinner? It had to be healthy, it had to be fun, it had to be open late on a Tuesday evening.
Ichi Ni Nana is part of a three story enterprise (Village People above, and Upside on the rooftop). It definitely has the cool factor – dim lighting, clean but with quirky Japanese inspired décor, so much to choose from that my aunt spent almost 20 minutes picking what to order…
Tuesday night is was buzzing so much in the courtyard, we elected to have a quiet booth for a cozy party of eight instead.
Highlights: this place has the best vegetable don I’ve ever had. I lived in Japan for six months, so this is a big call. The veggies are fresh. The veggies are interesting – not just your usual carrot and potato. The sauce is sweet and flavoursome. The serving is substantial. The don is brown rice.
The spicy edamame were also a treat. No photos before eating almost all.
The agedashi tofu is another option for vegetarians. This was beautifully presented with greens and mushrooms. I really enjoyed this dish, but it is best shared for those wanting variety.
This food is best with beer and I really enjoyed the Kosciuszko Pale Ale on tap. There is also a suite of sake, shochu and cocktails.
Desserts include an ice-cream recipe passed along generations – the rosewater pistachio combo was a treat!
Another highlight is the chocolate filled springrolls – why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?
The verdict was that my aunt loved it. She enjoyed the flavours, the service and she continued to talk about it for days to come.
Ichi Ni Nana is part of a three story enterprise (Village People above, and Upside on the rooftop). It definitely has the cool factor – dim lighting, clean but with quirky Japanese inspired décor, so much to choose from that my aunt spent almost 20 minutes picking what to order…
Tuesday night is was buzzing so much in the courtyard, we elected to have a quiet booth for a cozy party of eight instead.
Highlights: this place has the best vegetable don I’ve ever had. I lived in Japan for six months, so this is a big call. The veggies are fresh. The veggies are interesting – not just your usual carrot and potato. The sauce is sweet and flavoursome. The serving is substantial. The don is brown rice.
The spicy edamame were also a treat. No photos before eating almost all.
The agedashi tofu is another option for vegetarians. This was beautifully presented with greens and mushrooms. I really enjoyed this dish, but it is best shared for those wanting variety.
This food is best with beer and I really enjoyed the Kosciuszko Pale Ale on tap. There is also a suite of sake, shochu and cocktails.
Desserts include an ice-cream recipe passed along generations – the rosewater pistachio combo was a treat!
Another highlight is the chocolate filled springrolls – why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?
The verdict was that my aunt loved it. She enjoyed the flavours, the service and she continued to talk about it for days to come.
Ichi Ni Nana
127 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy 3065
03 9417 4127
ichininana.com.au
Opening hours:
Monday and Tuesday, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 5:00pm to 12:00am
Friday, 12:00pm to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 12:00am
Weekends, 12:00pm to 12:00am
127 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy 3065
03 9417 4127
ichininana.com.au
Opening hours:
Monday and Tuesday, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 5:00pm to 12:00am
Friday, 12:00pm to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 12:00am
Weekends, 12:00pm to 12:00am