Ichi Ni Izakaya is not number 'ichi' at all

Ichi Ni Izakaya


12 The Esplanade
St Kilda 3182
(03)9534 1212

I have always been fancying dining in this joint on the Espy, St Kilda. Driving past this joint almost everyday makes me check this place out on foodie blogs which surprising suggest that this Japanese eatery is a 'hit and miss'.


Took a short stroll from home and arrived at 6:30pm on a Saturday, the place was already packed on this hot summer day. As we didn't make a reservation, we were lucky enough to be offered a space at the bar. The decor was very traditionally japanese and I was impressed with the amusing juxtaposition of western and asian crew.

Raising Sun Pale Ale ($9.50). This ale is so honeyed and crisp. I adore it.

Tapas (Yakitori) have arrived after witnessing chef showcasing the process of cooking on a flame grill.

(From left and clockwise) Nasu & Cheese which is eggplant grilled with a slice of cheese on top. ($6/2 skewers); Hotate (Scallop) ($12/2 skewers); and Gyu (beef) ($9/2 skewers).

To be honest, they are unexpectedly flavourless. Only a tad of grill taste can be detected. I would only rate them 6 out of 10. However, I have to say the eggplant with cheese was quite special.

Ichi Ni rolls ($25)

The serve was just alright, I could taste they were made in a rush and without delicacy. At this point, El and I were quite disappointed. However, the worse is yet to come.

Large sashimi ($42)

I must say this is a bloody rip-off. Sashimi was not of a decent serve and fresh. This reminiscent me of the sashimi platter ($52.50) we had at Koko in Crown, which was, in contrast, decent-sized and utterly fresh. For extra $10, I would go for the latter with no bloody doubt.

Now, the worst dish of this session is popping up...

Soft shell crab rolls ($16.50)

It was an absolute fail. Rice was just cooked, thus way too soft. (Sushi rice is supposed to be cooled down before assembling into sushi). Unfortunately, it eventuated in such a disgraceful way.

To conclude, with my asian palate and pursuit of premium taste, this joint is not recommended. Also, it was extortionately priced. The final bill was whopping $132. (I don't mind paying a hefty load of money if a satisfactory taste is on offer). However, if you are after a good vibe and a drink session with mates, this can be on your list.

Ichi Ni Izakaya is not number 'ichi' (one) at all. Depressingly.

Be proud of Proud Mary

Proud Mary

172 Oxford Street  Collingwood VIC 3066 (03)9417 5930

Coffee is absolutely prerequisite to a productive day of mine. Apart from 'caffeinating' myself, I am also after an exquisite quality of coffee. As a 'coffeehead', I believe coffee should be appreciated the way wine was. 


Stepping into 2012, one of my plans is to try as many cafes as I could and thus refine my palate. Proud Mary is renowned as one of the top cafes in Melbourne. I sincerely concur.

Walked in at 3pm after the first ever drive into Collingwood. Being directed to the communal table, first thing caught my attention was the amusing packaged coffee beans. The design was so chic that you couldn't think of what it actually is.

As usual, a 'Magic' please. Drooling over the blackboard behind the bar, first round for me was 'Kenya Karatina AA'. It was suggested that vibrant citrus notes and lush body will be addressed. Um (taking the first sip)...It was obviously piquant and softly astringent. Also there was a tad of earthy aroma permeated through. 

Magic of single estate ($3.5)

One coffee doesn't suffice. Second round was Costarica' La Candelilla'. This is utterly different. It was mellow and suggesting nutty notes. Truly delicate.

Magic of single estate ($3.5)

I wonder what the cup reading is if I got this looked into by tasseology. The lovely heart on the bottom right resonates how enamoured of coffee I am. lol

With the diversity of coffee beans and making processes, I believe 'Proud Mary' retains the quintessence of cafes in Melbourne outright.

Koko @ Crown Melbourne

Hi, everyone!! Thank you for your patronage to this blog.


Here it goes my exciting first blog...


As Elsa was rewarded 'Service Leader' at Crown as an appreciation of her diligence, we had a chance to redeem the $180 Food & Beverage voucher at Koko. How awesome!


Koko is a renowned fine dining Japanese restaurant located on 3rd floor at Crown Towers (right next to Club 23). As I strolled in, the serenity is indeed welcoming and staff was extremely courteous. We were allocated a table by the window (It was still early, 6:30pm) and an artificial square pond. Guided by waitress dressed in a simplified Kimono, we stepped on the cobbles sitting in the pond and proceeded our discreet table.

Before the arrival, we had already skimmed through the menu available on the internet. Therefore we had a brief idea what to order. Beverages should not be neglected on this special day, I had a Yuzu Mojito ($18) which is a Mojito with Rum replaced by Yuzu shochu. 

What a fantastic summer drink by the Yarra River witnessing the tranquility of water.

Our beloved sushi platter has arrived. Koko Chef's special sashimi ($52.50).

Spider roll ($29). I loved the texture of soft-shell crab. It was a pleasure munching it.

As Elsa fancied some soup, she ordered Dobin Mushi ($16.5) which is a Dashi consomme. I was surprised that it was served in a clay teapot. 

Frankly we were half-stuffed by the time we gobbled the grilled scallops with miso mustard sauce. Hotate Misoyaki ($8 each). It was so succulent but I found the sauce on the sweet side.

Here comes the main dishes. We soon realised our eyes are bigger than our stomachs.

Wagyu Yanagawa ($51). Australian Wagyu beef striploin in soy mirin sauce. I wouldn't rule out the fact that we were almost full which leads to depreciation of its taste. But it was still very beautiful.

After a 10-min wait, we had our last dish, Gindara Sakamushi ($48). It is a fillet of steamed black cod in seaweed broth topped with caviar. I indeed discovered the similarity of this broth and the soup we just had. And I do prefer black cod fillet pan-fried (like the signature dish at Nobu) after this attempt.

Moment of truth, let's plonk the ratings right here...

Decor/Vibe: 9/10 (Loved the traditional japanese decor and the water feature)

Service: 9.5/10 (Almost a 10, the half point was deducted as there was a wait when the place got busy)

Flavour: 9/10

Value: 7/10

Re-visiting possibility: High