Hoshino — Restaurant in Melbourne

To the owner's reply: I'm deeply disappointed that my honest concerns and criticisms have been met with threats of legal action. I carry no ill will and only want improvement for the cafe. Isn't open and honest discussion the purpose of google reviews?

Regarding the inconsistencies, I apologise for any confusion on my wording. I have added 'mains' to my statement of overcooked and undercooked food, usually the pork teishoku.

Am I not able to comment on food quality and still enjoy coming to the cafe? It's odd to imply that just because I'm enjoying some aspects of the cafe, I can't have an opinion on others.

Regarding staff conduct; The employee states she's not received written or verbal prior warning of any poor behaviour. Even if the reviewers felt the employee seemed tired and disconnected, does that justify immediate dismissal without prior warning? That is what I am worried about. I've witnessed the employee being beloved by regulars for nearly a year, so is one day of being overworked enough to get fired?

She told me that she had given notice 2 days prior, with full intent to work her remaining shifts. This is very different to being fired early and suddenly, especially for a long term employee who had devoted such care into the business.

For the free drinks, I understood that the arrangement was entirely ok with verbal confirmation from yourself the first time I had one, but I now understand that I've misinterpreted that, and deeply apologise if you feel cheated. I'm happy to pay for the free chais if you feel that'd resolve the matter. I'm confused why you didn't bring this up to me sooner, as you were aware of it happening.

As you said, I'm a returning customer and do enjoy supporting local business. My connection to a past employee gives slightly more insight into the practices, as well as the food. Your response to my original review is truly saddening and I remain hopeful you will treat present and future employees fairly, and hope nothing but the best for you and your business.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

I wrote a positive review some time ago talking about this cafe, but I cannot stand idly by while awful practices take place. Overall I often have their oat chai and banana bread which are fantastic, the food in general has been very hit or miss with overcooked/under cooked mains, especially the pork teishoku, but I see that they have a new menu now and hopefully those issues have improved. The staff in general are also lovely, I have come to know some of them and can say wholeheartedly that they are incredibly kind and hard working individuals.

I have been in a unique position of personally knowing one of these previous employees at Hoshino and can say that there are some dishonest and less than kind practices taking place.

A few reviews were written a few days ago from seemingly first timers going to the cafe. In both reviews they referred to an employee with an unpleasant attitude. I know this employee. The context missing from these reviews is the hours the employee spent on her hands and knees prior, in pain, cleaning up a mess that the owner of the business made. I think it is pretty understandable how that could make anyone feel exhausted and drained. The 2 customers in the reviews were in an unfortunate place and an unfortunate time but the owner did not try to clarify or rectify it, did not give any warning, and fired the employee over text and did not even have the capacity to understand that maybe he is the one that caused the situation in the first place.

I have seen how this employee is beloved by regulars, and how she has contributed so much to Hoshino. She has said to me how much she will miss it and how heartbroken she feels in this truly unfair act. I have not heard the best things related to how past employees have been fired without notice but I would hope that the owner would treat the other staff with a little bit more decency and respect.

I wish the best for the employees and future success of this cafe but this act has been truly...

Walked in for 4 on a Saturday around 11:15am. We were told we needed to go on a list to wait for a seat inside but we were able to sit outside without a wait. Luckily enough, sun was out and wind wasn’t bad so we were able to sit outside! I’m unsure if you can book online but I highly recommend doing so if you can, as it was already busy at 11 but it got even MORE packed and busy around 12 onwards for that lunch rush! So many people were waiting for a spot by the time we left around early 1ish.

We ordered via the QR code on the tables - we got the tonkatsu set, the creamy udon, another udon dish and the smoked salmon and avocado sandwich. We also got the matcha croissant, soy and black sesame basque cheesecake, a hojicha latte, matcha latte, and iced latte.

The creamy udon by far looked the most appetising of every savoury food we ordered! I had food envy when it got to the table! But everything generally looked incredible, and yummy, and it was definitely reflected in the taste too! My friends each liked their udon dish, my partner loved his tonkatsu and I loved the freshness and portion size of my smoked salmon and avo sandwich! How lucky was I to get TWO sandwiches! I had to take the other one home.

Matcha croissant is very strong matcha taste, for someone who doesn’t enjoy a very strong matcha taste probably not for me but if you love matcha - its definitely for you! The croissant itself was also crazy good quality - layers so buttery and an amazing laminated and crunchy outer! The cheesecake - didn’t enjoy the soy layer on top but that sesame layer was incredible, so good! Not too overpowering of a black sesame taste and very well balanced and creamy!

Overall - a really great experience. Pricey but expected. I wish they had jugs of water too! They had a water station near the front but it was just individual cups.

Parking - there is a train station out front and some diagonal parking directly in front - just be careful to check about 2hr spots and the 1 hour spots. Train station on the weekends would make it very easy to park though.

Vibe - very cute, kawaii, and reminded of cozy and small cafes in Japan (which is probably what they were going for anyway). Staff were really friendly and accommodating! It’s dog...

Hoshino in Ringwood East is a delightful Japanese-inspired café that seamlessly blends traditional flavours with modern café culture. Located at 6 Railway Avenue, this cozy spot has become a local favourite for its unique menu offerings and inviting atmosphere.

One of the standout dishes is the Creamy Udon, featuring chewy Sanuki udon noodles in a rich, velvety sauce, complemented by bacon, baby king oyster mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked onsen tamago egg. Another popular choice is the Ebi Tempura Curry Udon, which combines crispy tempura prawns with a flavorful curry sauce, creating a satisfying and hearty meal.

For those with a sweet tooth, Hoshino offers a variety of pastries and desserts. The Matcha Iced Croissant is a must-try, filled with a luscious matcha cream that balances sweetness with the characteristic bitterness of high-quality matcha. Additionally, the Blueberry Crumble Cheesecake has been praised for its delightful combination of textures and flavors.

The beverage menu is equally impressive, featuring a range of matcha and hojicha drinks. The Matcha Latte and Hojicha Latte are both popular choices, offering a comforting and authentic taste of Japanese tea culture.

Hoshino’s ambiance is warm and inviting, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing brunch or a casual catch-up with friends. The staff are known for their friendly and attentive service, contributing to the café’s welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine or simply looking for a new café to explore, Hoshino in Ringwood East offers a unique and satisfying dining experience that is...