450 Malvern Rd, Prahran
Phone 03 9510 2528
The definition of the verb kazaru is ‘to decorate, to adorn’, which offers clue to the concept of Kazari Collectibles; a contemporary and traditional gallery space that showcases some amazing Japanese and Asian inspired works. So what does this have to do with food? Well, at the back of this space you’ll find Cafe Kazari, a small eating area set amongst antique decorative objects and more modern sculptural pieces. And it is with the same appreciation of beauty of the pieces around them that is given to the food; simple, seasonal Kyoto home-style fare.
We turned up on a Saturday, lucky to have made a booking. Despite it’s hidden location, it is certainly a popular spot! Perhaps it’s the tranquility of the courtyard dining area, or just the fact that you get to look at such beautiful things while you eat.
The Spring lunch set ($18) consisted of two sozai – crisp steamed broccoli with a wasabi cream and a small block of silken tofu, garnished with grated ginger, spring onions and a ponzu-ish soy dressing. The set also included three grain rice, home made pickles and organic somen noodles in miso soup, studded with chunks of firm tofu and sprinkled with toasted sesame. A thoroughly healthful and satisfying lunch.
We also ordered some organic chicken dumplings ($11.50), six little suimai sized dim sum. They were so incredibly juicy and tender, and went well with the shoyu dipping sauce perked up with shichimi togarishi (Japanese pepper mix)
To share, we tried the Australian tiger prawns and avocado salad ($18) – how fantastic does it look? The greens included witlof, radicchio and various forms of butter lettuce. On top sat four huge grilled tiger prawns, chunks of avocado, sweet pickled onions and a refreshing parsley, lemon and extra virgin olive oil vinaigrette.
Once we’d finished with the savoury stuff, I moved to a green tea latte – milk infused with powdered maccha (green tea), frothed and patterned with a swirl of golden syrup. Mmm…it actually made for a wonderful combination.
I of course couldn’t resist the wagashi, which certainly pays homage to the Spring. I gather this is form of sakura wagashi; cherry blossom flower and leaf wrapped around a paste of red beans. Oooh…it just reminds me of my trip to Japan.
Dan chose the green tea tiramisu ($5) – a thin slice of green tea cake filled with marscapone cream. It was refreshing in that it wasn’t too sweet, which allowed the vibrant taste of the maccha to shine through. Check out the plump blueberries and oozy cream on top!
I was thoroughly impressed with Cafe Kazari – such respect for produce is hard to find, and this place has it in spades.
Oh wow, that all looks AMAZING! I don’t suppose I could ask a huge favour and have you take me there some time if they’re open on a Sunday? I could probably find my way there without a problem, but none of my other friends really go in for this type of food
Hi Mellie,
I just rang up to make a reservation at the cafe and the lady asked me how I found out about the place and guess what i told them? I said i read it from your site and she said she was going to have a look at it. I think she was really excited about it!
I’m goin there this Saturday despite being in an insanely-stressed-to-the-max mode. The wagashi looks too pretty to eat. We’re making plans to visit Kyoto next Jan…great place to go?
green tea latte & tiramisu looks so stunning for me .
i love your food find! seriously.
hihihi
will put this on my list to try – can’t believe i’ve never seen this place (especially cause i live around the area!!!)
that picture of the green tea cake and the mascarpone definitely leave me drooling..
Hi Mellie,
Thank you for writing about Kazari cafe. I’m frequent there. As a Japanese national, I’ve often lamented qulaity of so called “Japanese” cafe/restaurant. Soy sauce and rice don’t alone make any food Japanese! At Kazari, you can enjoy real Japanese taste/palate. The Chef is from Kyoto, capital of traditional Japanese cusine, and her soup stock is excellent!
Hey Anna – d’oh, they’re not open on Sunday! But if you can swing a Saturday, heh, I’m there!
Hi Vanessa – thanks for passing on my site to them! Well, I date say your insanely-stressed-to-the-max mode might benefit from a simple meal at Kazari. Just sit back and relish in the elegance and simpleness, and don’t be too in a rush to eat and leave. If the weather is good, the courtyard (with the water feature) will be ideal. Oooh…you will SO LOVE Kyoto. We stayed there for 9 days, and enjoyed every second. I’m still yet to post a lot of my Kyoto posts (I just keep getting side-tracked with current posts!). Just give yourself plenty of time there, as there is just so much to see and do!
Hey Bean Sprout – yeah…it looks pretty good, huh?
Hi Shelvia – thanks for your comment! As this place is hidden out the back of a Gallery, you would never know of it unless you walked out back. I like that
Konnichiwa Sayuri – thank you for your beautiful comment. I agree – it is so hard to find simple, traditional, home-style Japanese food in Melbourne. We had lots of obanzai when we were in Kyoto last year, and I do miss it! I must admit the miso soup stock for the somen was outstanding!
Hi Mellie,
The cafe placed a link to your website on their ‘Review’ section!
Thanks for letting me know vanessa. Hey…that is awesome!
That green tea latte looks amazing!
Hi Mellie,
With your recommendation, my housemate brought me to Cafe Kazari for lunch today. The food’s all right, and the green tea latte was actually pretty good! A snag though – the chair’s far too high to sit on. Had quite a sore back after.
PS: It was my housemate who introduced me to your blog (he’s also a silent stalker
). And I’m liking what I read. Keep up the good work!
Hi Tine – yeah..that chairs are rather high and conducive to upholding good posture. But hunt around, there are some more comfortable (lower) seats outside.
Glad you enjoyed it though. And welcome to the blog – both you and the silent stalker
My favorite spot in Melbourne so simple… its the best