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LuMi dining has been on our hit list for a while now. Occupying a spot where all the boats moor near Star City, it has a pleasant outlook. We were there in the evening, it was dimly lit with some perfectly placed lights above our table to highlight our food. With two chefs in action that compliment each other. An Italian Chef who has trained in Japan and a Japanese chef that has trained in Italy, making for an exciting sophisticated Japanese/Italian fusion dining experience. It is a set menu of 8 meals plus snacks for $115, which I think is reasonable considering the quality and presentation of the food, which is outstanding. For an extra charge you can add oysters or matching wines. The service was impeccable, personable and informative. The restaurant is also obliging to substitute dishes due to dietary requirements.

The meal began with a few different amuse bouche; a pea and parmesan soup and a mini loaf of bread which was so bleeping amazing, this set the precedent for the meal to follow.

The menu listed meal began with a light and nicely balanced dish of Snapper with roe emulsion and fermented cucumber.

Then came the Oxheart tartare with creme fraiche and sansho pepper, well seasoned and nice acidity. I felt a bit indifferent when reading this on the menu- but loved it, one of my favourites.

We then had the amazing Agnolotti – porcini, rye dashi. This was an Italian pasta with a rich mushroom flavour and Japanese inspired rye dashi.

There was a Tagliolini – eel, bottarga and orange. A very rich flavoursome dish as well as the Wagyu with celeriac and mustard – melt in your mouth beef with great flavour combinations.

After this came the Sorrel parfait a palate cleanser in preparation for the visual spectacle to come.

The star of the night was the Douglas Fir with rhubarb, raspberry and olive oil. It looked like a fried egg, but was actually ice cream with a silk texture and a dollop of olive oil in the centre representing the yolk. Simple and delicate.

The finale an amazing burst of flavour from a watermelon wedge infused with yuzu a Japanese citrus fruit.

An incredible dining experience with a fusion of cuisine and favours that you would not usually find working together. One of our favourite restaurants of the year gone.

https://www.lumidining.com/