Machi

Machi is an izakaya-style establishment located on St Kilda's bustling Inkerman street, dedicated first and foremost to the art of Japanese eating and drinking, offering a laid back environment for catching up with friends and family with a focus on quality food designed to share in stylish but comfortable surroundings.

Accompanying the wide range of sake, is a smorgasbord of Japanese small eats comprising of tempura, gyoza, sushi, sashimi and the like.

To start we indulged in the sushi and sashimi mariawase - an impressive mix of sashimi combined with scallop tempura, moreton bay bug sushi, seared salmon. The nigari sushi boasted a tenderness exhibited by high quality produce. The seared salmon nigiri was our favourite - this melt in your mouth nigiri combined the best of both worlds (partially cooked, partially raw).

For mains the short rib was perfection - Tender and delicious, with caramel undertones courtesy of being slow-braised. Paired with an earthy Asian braising sauce, the ribs fell away at the weight of our spoons whilst still retaining their integrity. 

The Miso Cod was similarly delightful. The cod was beautifully fresh, vividly white and had been cooked to perfection. We were blown away by the silky texture and the golden-brown charred bits of caramelised miso on the fish. It was a stunning dish.

Our dinner ended on a sweet note with Machi's decadent dessert platter. An assortment of Japanese inspired desserts, each item was a welcome departure from the mundane items usually found and offered its own unique characteristics – from the enjoyable chocolate spring rolls to the smooth, rich consistency of the ice creams, to the vibrant flavours of the Japanese black sesame pannacotta.  An exemplary display of Machi's versatility.

Machi has a band of loyal followers and it is easy to understand why.  Unblemished execution of Japanese food in light of its vibrant atmosphere, desirable beverage selection and overall dining experience, Machi has certainly earned our stamp of approval.

Location: 14 Inkerman Street, St Kilda
Phone: (03) 9534 5000
Link: https://www.machi.com.au/