Hanabishi Ph: 9670 1167 ; 187 King St, MELBOURNE 3000 www.hanabishi.com.au Japanese, $$ +, *** for Food Open Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm 6pm-9.30pm, Closed All public holidays; Licensed; AE DC MC V EFT; Kids Welcome Chef Akio Soga & Masahiko Iga (11-10-10) Owner Akio & Eiko Soga (11-10-10)

Mietta's Review
A mixture of classical and minimalist Japanese design, this is one of Melbourne's finest Japanese restaurants. With the right advice, some excellent and unusual dishes can be tried. Everything is done to the highest standards and is quite perfect.

Other published opinions

Age Good Food Guide 2012 Score: 14.5/20

Age Good Food Guide 2011 Score: 14.5/20

Age Good Food Guide 2010 Score: 14/20

Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 14/20

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 14/20

Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 15

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide "The two-level restaurant with its timber floors, bright-blue upholstered chairs and flattering lighting may look a little tired, but the exquisite Japanese food is always sparkling. The simple lunch menu caters to a time-poor business crowd, but it's at night when the knives at Hanabishi really shine."

Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 16/20

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "The simple furnishings and stark wooden flooring belie the rich dining experience at one of Melbourne's premier Japanese restaurants. The daytime menu is good, but the evening dining has the real flair."

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 1 Black Star, Good vegetarian options,'By day, it's a good if undistinguished Japanese restaurant feeding the city suits.By night, a hand-drawn menu of specials emerges, aimed at foodie ex-pats and other discerning eaters-and this is where the action is...has a reasonably priced wine list'

Age Good Food Guide 2004- 2 hats, score 16/20

Herald Sun, weekend, eat, Bob Hart, 21/6/03. One of Melbourne's best Japanese restaurants has an efficient laid back lunchtime atmosphere which, by evening, has become a rather luxurious establishment.

Age Good Food Guide 2003

Age, A2, 23/8/03, John Weldon

Age, Sunday Life, 31/8/03, John Lethlean

Age, Epicure, Restaurants, 28/1/03

Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, 28/7/02

The Herald Sun, 09.03.99, Stephen Downes Score: 10 out of 20."