The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement

Just Open: Toko Melbourne, Prahran

Veda Gilbert

Miso salmon at Toko Melbourne.
Miso salmon at Toko Melbourne.Julian Kingma

Toko Melbourne, the fourth Japanese venue from the Toko Group (following on from Toko Sydney, Toko Dubai and Tokonoma Sydney), opens its Greville Street doors on Friday, and diners can expect the same attention to detail and quality as its predecessors.

Guests enter through a traditional Japanese cubbyhouse reception before being ushered into the warm, understated main area with natural timber, exposed brick walls and low lighting.

Divided for social drinking and dining, the latter boasts two communal tables backed by a wall-mounted sculpture from artist Reni Kung that captures the natural elements of light, wood and stone – a theme that carries throughout Toko.

Sophisticated: The dining area features a long communal table.
Sophisticated: The dining area features a long communal table.Julian Kingma
Advertisement

Outside, brightly coloured oil-paper umbrellas hang from the courtyard ceiling in the Japanese garden, where you'll find the whisky bar with more than 40 Japanese whiskies and other single malts from around the world.

Not to be outdone, the extensive sake list, curated by Australian sake sommelier Paul Birtwistle, boasts 60 sakes.

Then there's the food. Minced on site, hand-rolled wagyu gyoza come with white ponzu dressing, while the tempura Moreton Bay bug with yuzukosho-mayo is an absolute must. Tasting menus are also offered.

Wagyu gyoza with white ponzu.
Wagyu gyoza with white ponzu.Julian Kingma

A private dining area with traditional tatami mats and a sunken bench is available, or sit at the sushi bar and watch the masters work.

Advertisement

Open Wed-Thu 5pm-late; Fri-Sun noon-late.

142 Greville Street, Prahran, 9521 3155, toko-melbourne.com

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.

Sign up

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement