Just Open: Sake Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Sake Flinders Lane is set to open this Friday with executive chef Jean Paul Lourdes​ (ex-Joel Robuchon​ Restaurant, Tokyo) at the helm.

Melissa Collison Design has reworked the two-storey former Woody. P interior, adding a sushi bar, robatayaki grill and a Japanese stone counter with seats for 50 diners overlooking the kitchen.

This is the fifth Sake restaurant for Sydney-based Urban Purveyor Group, and the second in Melbourne.

In addition to dishes found at Sake Hamer Hall, Lourdes' menu offers a yakitori and noodle section. The kitchen is producing its own miso, a process that takes six months, smoking its own soy sauce and making its own tofu.

Sake Flinders Lane will also offer what it claims is Melbourne's largest selection of sake, shochu​ and Japanese whiskies.

In May, the fast-expanding group plans to open Sake Jr, serving fast-casual rice bowls and sushi rolls, at 555 Bourke Street.

Open Sun-Wed 11am-midnight; Thu-Sat 11am-2am.

121 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, 1300 670 910, sakerestaurant.com.au