Izakaya Tomodachi - St Kilda

The restaurant was empty but the food was outstanding. 20 Japanese businessmen in the private room said it all, this is a restaurant not to be missed.

This is one of my go to places for lovely Japanese food. It has a nice communal / group table lovely decorated. The seared tuna machi is a favourite and is to die for - yum. Always pleases.

Continuing to indulge my recent compulsion for Japanese, I tried this new Izakaya on Fitzroy Street for lunch on Saturday. Izakaya Tomodachi is a recent arrival, only opening in November 2014. There's a kittle bar on the left as you enter lined by a string of red lanterns and a teppanyaki table on the right opposite. Dark wood furniture, subdued lighting, an impressive wine rack at the back, and to add that touch of authenticity a colourful cloth fish suspended from the ceiling, a kimono on one wall and a banzai.I started with a warm flask of Junmai Ginjo which at $19 for 300ml is one of the cheaper sakes you'll find in Melbourne. I was in a grazing mood so just ordered a few dishes from the entree selection.First up were gyoza. They're described as pork on the menu, but they also do a prawn variety which is what I ordered. Very good. Four pieces served on a rectangular black plate with a lovely soy dipping sauce.Next I had unagi. I've never had bad eel, and this was no exception; very flavoursome, moist and soft on the palate, and a very generous serve for just $10.90.I would quite happily have ordered more but I was on a mission: new fromagerie in Acland Street, so I had to leave room for cheese! But, I'll definitely be back to Tomodachi for a more extensive exploration of their menu.

I decided to satisfy my newfound craving for Japanese cuisine by trying out this new Izakaya restaurant on Fitzroy Street for lunch on Saturday.

Decent wine list, and that's where the good points end.