Kisumé Opens on Flinders Lane
The World Loves Melbourne is excited by the recent launch of Kisumé in Flinders Lane. Chris Lucas has the ability to nail Melbourne in every way, to stay fresh and relevant and innovative and tap into what the punters want. Or at least maybe the punters didn't know what they wanted but they do now. The World Loves Melbourne has visited Kisumé for a soiree and we are looking to return soon. If there are people in this city adding to the reputation of Melbourne as a global foodie hub, then Chris Lucas and friends are part of that. We visited Kisume for an early dinner.
Kisumé [kiss-oo-meh] meaning ‘a pure obsession with beauty’. is the latest restaurant from Chris Lucas. The highly anticipated, three-level concept venue has opened its doors. Kisumé, at 175 Flinders Lane, will open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
The vibe is addictive. Modern Japanese with chic in spades. Kisumé is a contemporary Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar and restaurant residing on the ground floor and basement levels, whilst Kuro Kisumé sits on the first floor. Kuro Kisumé (meaning black) includes The Table, a unique omakase-style dining experience seating just 12, two private dining rooms with a similar bespoke offering, plus the Chablis Bar, the first such bar in Australia.
A place where the traditionalist and modernist meet, Kisumé is not only about the dining; there are many other facets to explore. Kisumé will stimulate your senses, time and time again.
Leading Kisumé’s kitchen is Master Chef K.S Moon. Joining Chef Moon as sushi masters are the Hatanaka brothers, Yosuke and Shimpei, who transport their mastery from Tokyo and Kyoto respectively, and will anchor the Kisumé sushi bar and restaurant.
Guests can enjoy dishes that draw on the purity and exacting nature of Japanese food but are uniquely Australian (nearly 100 per cent of the menu features produce from Australia and New Zealand). Seafood is, of course, a highlight.
Guests are offered two food menus featuring a selection of raw and hot dishes. Hero dishes include:
Tamago Mushi with Egg Custard, Prawn, Shiitake Mushroom, Foie Gras and Sukiyaki Foam
Steamed King Crab Gyoza with Quail Egg and Bonito Vinaigrette
Ulladulla Grilled Mackerel with Sesame Ponzu
Crispy Wagyu Truffles with Truffle Miso and Mozzarella
Chilled Hiyashi Lime Soba Noodles in Bonito Broth and Fresh Lime
Foie Gras and Beef Tenderloin with Yakiniku Soy
Seared Yellowfin Tuna Tataki with Wasabi Tofu and Chilli Yuzu Ponzu
St Helens Calamari, Chargrilled, Seaweed
A dedicated sushi bar also offers innovative dishes where diners can select from assorted and speciality rolls and sashimi including Alaskan King Crab with Spring Onion, Flying Fish Row and Soy Paper.
The Wine Trilogy
The Kisumé Winewall™, reminiscent of the wine wall Chris Lucas first introduced at The Botanical, South Yarra, is a visually outstanding collection with four separate glass cabinets devoted to Chablis, Pinot Noir, Riesling and rare Sake and Japanese Whisky.
The Chablis Bar, Australia’s first, offers up to 80 Chablis by the bottle and has a regularly changing selection by the glass. Chablis’ flinty, minerally and citrusy characters are the perfect partner for the delicacy and subtleties of fresh seafood.
The main Kisumé wine list (including Chablis list) rounds out the Trilogy, with wines chosen to complement the delicacy of the food. Kisumé will also offer single vineyard tap wines made by some of Australia’s best winemakers. The first in the line-up is a Riesling from Henty and a Pinot Noir from the Mornington Peninsula.
“Since I first lived in Tokyo and fell in love with the culture, food and history, it has been a lifelong ambition to open a Japanese-style restaurant. I’m also excited to be welcoming to Melbourne some exceptional international talent, including Master Chef K.S Moon, the Hatanaka brothers, Jonathan Ross and Markus Tschuschnig. I simply cannot wait for Melburnians and visitors to our great city to experience what we hope will be a magical restaurant.”
With interior design by renowned architects Wood Marsh (their first restaurant project in 20 years), Kisumé’s interiors lean towards minimalism and purposefully play on the senses. True to classic Japanese design, guests entering Kisumé are transported to another world. Expect a minimalist palette with concrete, softened by timber flooring, matte brass, grey leather, velvet and dusty pink curtains.
Designer Fabio Ongarato, through his thoughtful collateral and art curation, has also transformed Kisumé’s dining spaces into a gallery. Guests are invited to experience the striking and emotive works from famed photographers Nobuyoshi Araki from Japan and Australia’s Polly Borland.
The uniforms, inspired by Japanese culture and design, are a collaboration with Australian design house Alpha60, designed by brother and sister duo Alex and Georgie Cleary.
175 Flinders Lane
Melbourne VIC
7 days, 11am > late
Kisumé dinner service
Chablis Bar
A la carte available
Chef’s tasting menu available
Daily omakase menu available at sushi counter
Kuro Kisumé ‘The Table’ omakase experience opens mid-June