Ishiya Japanese Stonegrill — Restaurant in Melbourne

I been driving pass this place for many many years and finally decided to give this a try .... and what can I say, the food is really good and enjoyable..... that is where that stop.... the experience on the other hand is not. The table is really small as you can see from the picture and really struggle not to tip or drop anything.

Ordered the set meals for 2.... started with entrees and that is where the experience starts to go downhill... we were rush through the course of the entrees one after another like in a sprint race. There are times we have not even finish the dish the waitress would just take it away without even asking. Imagine eating under time constraints.

Then the main meal comes.... so as you can see, waitress tries to fit everything in on the table.... ok finally we thought we can eat in peace, and few minutes into the mains, more disruption... waitress tried to fit in another hot grill stone and she tried moving around all our meals and started grilling one of our meat in order to remove a plate.... that is not on.... again more pressure and by that time we have lost all our mood and appetite. I was about to tell the waitress off as to what is she doing to our food. She could have just come over and let us know what she is trying or would do in a few minutes before actually just jumping in and do what she did. Basic courtesy and customer service. It is not a cheap place to eat and you felt like you are eating there in a race to the finish.

Really felt such a let down in a otherwise good food.

In reply:

Thanks for your reply. Totally agree with your point.... we are not mind readers. Please let us know that it is a condition to eat in your restaurant .... must have mind reading test before entry.

On the upside.... I did not say that the waitress is bad towards us nor is she rude. We merely shared our experience. In light of this, isn't it that business owner should look at exactly what happened rather than blame the customers who some are genuinely did not get that good...

Have you ever cooked your food on a hot stonegrill?

Last week I got to try this for the first time at Ishiya. I like the idea of cooking my food on the individual hot stone – it radiates less heat than a BBQ and you can cook it to your desire. The wait staff are on hand to help out if you’re not confident but it’s a lot easier than a BBQ. A tip is to cook quickly as the heat does fade over time, and choose spots that haven’t been touched if you’re going for a 2nd or 3rd round. As for the meat, it was high quality and the marbling on the cuts that we had meant that we were getting all the flavour.

What impressed me the most about Ishiya was the innovation of some of the dishes. I was already impressed with the quality cuts of meat, but their al la carte menu had some options that used contemporary presentation techniques with flavours that skirted around sweet, savoury, sour and citrus. The tuna tasting plate, and the scampi tarts in domes were particularly well done. The wagyu with fois gras deserves an honourable mention. Ishiya also brought the theatre in food for one course gas torching our wagyu. My mind was constantly blown throughout my Ishiya experience.

I could list every dish that impressed me but I’d be listing the menu. I advise you to look at my pictures and see how good the dishes were.

As for drinks, we shared a jug of yuzu choya soda which was very refreshing. I also tried the matcha sake bomb which I’ve never had before, but would have again and again and again!

We were treated to a dessert bento box which blew my mind – 9 individual desserts served in a wooden box. I was scared that we wouldn’t finish them but we did – the stand outs was the yuzu sorbet, activated charcoal chocolate soft serve, citrus crepe cake, matcha brulee cake.

Ishiya took me higher than higher in terms of what Japanese food can be. Classic Japanese with innovative twists....

My son’s 18th birthday dinner at Ishiya Stone Grill Japanese Dining was an extraordinary affair, a celebration we’ll remember for years. The service, led by two young Japanese ladies, was the epitome of Japanese hospitality – attentive, polite, and incredibly welcoming throughout our time there, which was around an hour and 45 minutes. The culinary journey began with the A5 Hida Wagyu Tataki, a starter that melted in our mouths, setting a high standard for what was to come. The Wagyu hamburger rib followed, tender and flavourful, a perfect continuation of the Wagyu experience. But this was just the beginning. The main course was a beautifully presented A5 Japanese Wagyu platter, showcasing the finest cuts such as A5 Kagoshima Wagyu, full-blood Australian Wagyu, and a variety of other meticulously prepared beef selections. Each slice of Wagyu was a marvel, richly marbled and cooked to perfection on the stone grill. To complement the sumptuous meats, we savoured the Pineapple Sake, an exquisite choice that was both refreshing and invigorating. The restaurant’s generosity shone through when we were offered two additional special sakes, enhancing the festive spirit of our special occasion. The evening concluded with a charming dessert platter, a sweet symphony of matcha cheesecakes, macaroons, and chocolates, all arranged with care around a ‘Happy Birthday’ sign – a personal touch that was much appreciated. This wasn’t just a meal it was an immersive experience that showcased the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine and the warmth of its culture. Ishiya Stone Grill Japanese Dining is not only a restaurant we dined at, but a place that provided a moment in time we will cherish forever. A heartfelt thank you to the staff for an impeccable evening – we are already looking forward to...