tastebound.com

I was in Melbourne a few weeks ago on business and I found myself wandering the downtown area in the early evening. A few of you may know that I really hate eating at a restaurant alone. “Loser” is one thought that pops into mind, as well as the fact that I don’t know what to do with myself when I can’t talk to a companion, read a book, or be distracted by something on TV (subtitled movies are out for obvious reasons). So, I figured that if I was going to avoid eating in my room – which I also dislike – I was going to have to find a place that would work for me.

I had strolled through the ChinaTown area earlier in my ambulation and there seemed to be a few, though not many, japanese restaurants. This would be perfect, me thinks. I can sit at the bar and be “alone” while enjoying the company of all those around me. And the chef will be my entertainment to sway the awkwardness of eating alone into the advantage of being able to focus on the food preparation.

After walking a fair bit, I came across a basement restaurant that looked very promising, Nihonbashi Zen. Japanese garden motif in the front, with a dark yet stylish interior beckoning the sidewalk traffic. I stopped down the steps to review the menu and was presented with a business card and a recommendation for the kushiyaki (skewered food). What the heck, they seemed nice enough and I certainly was hungry.

Nihonbashi Zen interior – Modern Japanese

As I entered the restaurant I quickly realized that I was the only customer there. Not surprising, as it was still somewhat early in the evening. I was shown a seat at the bar and left with two menus, a beer/wine list and food menu. I was very much in the mood for sushi, so I ordered a japanese beer and deferred to the chef as to what he recommended for my meal. After a short wait, which was notable only for the fact that I was still the only person in the restaurant, I received a platter of sushi. To say it was fresh and tasty would be putting it accurately. The fish was excellent. And new to my palette was prawn sashimi. I’ve never had raw prawn, but it was extremely good. So good, in fact, that I am surprised I have never come across it before.

The bar, looking into the kitchen and over the drink selection

I had ordered the small sashimi platter and realized quickly that it was not going to be enough to still my hunger – so a request for the menu was called out. Still being the only guest, the service was quick and courtious, and I had a menu to peruse within moments. It was quite extensive, but mostly focused on the skewered dishes. So many choices that it was hard to decide. As I looked over the offerings, turning back and forth between pages, weighing the advantages of each interesting dish, the hostess came over and asked if I needed any assistance with deciding.

Me: Is the calamari kushiyaki good?

Hostess: Oh, yes. Very good.

Me: How about the scallops?

Hostess: The scallops are excellent.

Me: And the beef?

Hostess: Yes. The beef…, very good.

Me: So, everything is very good, right?

Hostess: Yes. All good.

You can see my dilemma. Thankfully the Hostess saw it too and suggested that instead of ordering a few kushiyaki that come with two skewers each, she would do a bunch of different ones of a single skewer a piece. I thought that was a grand idea and ask her to choose for me. After a short bit I was greeted with a plate of grilled items that were presented quite beautifully and brought forth the most divine aroma.

Assorted Kushiyaki, including calamari, scallops, and prawns

The assortment consisted of a whole prawn, calamari rolled with japanese basil, two types of chicken, scallops, and beef. Each was a complex set of flavors, some pungent (japanese basil) and other sweet and savory. It was quite wonderful. After finishing my meal (and artfully getting through the prawn – I just ate it shell and all, like in China, though leaving the head as an offering to the food deity of your choice) I took the opportunity to catch the hostess and let her know how wonderful the meal was. I also realized that I was still the only person in the restaurant and I had been there at least an hour by that point. It turns out that she is potentially the owner, and at least the manager, and her name is Amy. She commented that it was unusual that there was not a crowd, and that they had seen a brisk business the week before during the Commonwealth Games. So my plan to blend in with the crowd had pretty much become a bust.

Interestingly, I heard a commotion at the entrance. It seemed a party had arrived and was inquiring whether or not they could bring in their bottles of wine (the restaurant was not BYO). After a quick conference with the Chef, Amy said flatly, “No” and the group was turned away. At least they have principles, I guess.

My attentive wait staff came around and offered me the dessert menu. I figured that since I had made it this far I might as well make a full evening of it. I ordered a glass of port and a bowl of green tea ice cream. Great combination, it turns out. By this time I had a 20 oz. beer in me and need to use the rest room. No worries about it being occupied. But what was nice is that they had put polished stones in the sink basin. Not a big thing, but it really added a touch of class.

It’s the little things like polished stones in the sink that make a place

After finishing up, I got the bill and gave my thanks to Amy and the staff. On my way out I passed two young men perusing the menu. The waitress had just handed them a business card…

Nihonbashi Zen
Entrées $7 – $21
Mains $23 – $32
Licensed. Wine is available by the glass.

87 Lt. Bourke Street,
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9639 7050