Ishizuka — Restaurant in Melbourne

I recently dined at this restaurant, and while the culinary experience was exceptional and truly memorable, the service was inconsistent, which unfortunately detracted from the overall experience. For a dining experience priced at $320 per head, I expected seamless service that enhances the immersion into each dish, but that wasn’t the case.

Throughout the evening, we were served by multiple staff members, each with their own way of explaining the dishes. This lack of consistency left me feeling confused at times, even having to listen to neighboring tables to fully understand the elements of what I was eating. Clear, engaging explanations are essential for such a high-end experience, and this was noticeably lacking.

A particularly frustrating moment occurred after the main course when a waitress approached and asked if we were still hungry. I was taken aback, as the phrasing felt awkward and out of place, almost like an upsell attempt. She then mentioned “Chef has rice, do you want rice?” but offered no context or explanation. Assuming it was an extra charge or something unrelated, we declined. Later, we realized it was an additional dish—duck with rice and sauce—that was complimentary and intended as part of the experience. Had this been explained properly, we would have accepted and enjoyed it. It was a missed opportunity that left us feeling let down.

Part of the issue seems to stem from a lack of alignment in the service approach. If certain team members are less comfortable engaging with guests, perhaps they would be better suited to kitchen or prep roles, while the more personable staff handle the tables. Clear and consistent communication is crucial, especially when diners come for an immersive, high-end experience.

I left the restaurant feeling disappointed and stressed, which is not how anyone should feel after such a significant culinary experience. I would encourage the restaurant to invest in staff training to ensure consistent, enthusiastic, and clear communication with guests. This would elevate the experience and match the exceptional quality of the food.

Also need to add the lady at the door was absolutely delightful and she had an opportunity to explain 1 dish to us and it felt so right!!! I wish I...

We came to this restaurant to celebrate our anniversary, but unfortunately, the whole experience was a letdown, especially for the price we were paying—over $300 per person. Sure, the atmosphere was nice and the chefs seemed skilled, but one of the waitresses was just so unprofessional, and it completely ruined the night.

Let’s start with the food. We were expecting something special for that price, but what we got was disappointing. The 10-course meal didn’t even include a proper main dish, and three of the courses were just small cups of soup. On top of that, none of the food was made fresh—we saw them setting up for the next session when we left, and it was obvious everything had been pre-prepared. For the money we spent, we expected so much more.

The service, though, was what really made the night worse. We loved the toro sushi (honestly, the best part of the meal), so we asked the chef for a second one, and he made it for us, no problem. But when the bill came, they’d slapped on an extra $40 for it—without telling us beforehand! We also ordered a Temaki, and the chef told us upfront it would be $60, which we were okay with. But then the waitress kept coming back to my partner to double-check if we really wanted it. It felt awkward and unnecessary. I had already confirmed everything with the chef, so there was no reason for her to keep asking. It made me feel like she didn’t think we could afford it, which was just insulting.

In the end, this restaurant didn’t live up to the hype or the price. Besides the toro, the food was underwhelming, and the waitress’s attitude was a real dealbreaker. For $860, I expected much better, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone looking for a special night out. You can find better food and service elsewhere for that...

My partner and I had eagerly anticipated dining at Ishizuka, so I planned a surprise visit for a special occasion. Unfortunately, the evening turned out to be a series of disappointments.

From the outset, the dishes failed to meet the high expectations set by the restaurant's reputation. Each course seemed to decline in quality. Some were inedible, like the pistachio nazakara, which had a texture akin to wet concrete. Others were utterly bland, such as the Wan broth and the Harako-meshi (rice dish) which lacked any discernible flavor. The Shiizakana A5 Wagyu was drowned in sauce, masking its natural flavors, while the venison tartare was overwhelmed by the wombok.

The tempura pepper was a particularly egregious misstep. It was so spicy that I couldn't stop drinking water for twenty minutes. My partner's serving was fine (we tried each other's) but upon inquiring with the front-of-house staff, we were told that this level of spice was not uncommon. They mentioned it affects 1 in 10 diners, recently even 1 in 3, despite the dish not being intended as spicy. No effort was made to alleviate my discomfort beyond offering ice water. There were other disappointing dishes, but I won't go through them all.

We had high hopes for Ishizuka, and wonder if the winter menu might be at fault, as friends have spoken highly of their experiences. However, for over $300 per head (excl. drinks), the quality and care in the preparation of the dishes were far below acceptable standards. We did not even get asked if we enjoyed the food, or how was everything (as fine dining establishments usually do), so there was no chance to voice our thoughts in person, hence why I am going into depth in this review. We left feeling thoroughly disappointed and...