Supernormal — Restaurant in Melbourne

Short: Great service and delicious food. I recommend to book in advance. Great for dining alone.

100% would dine here again, alone or with friends. Definitely a nice night for a treat. I paid well for what I received; a great overall dining experience.

BOOKING Yes. I recommend to book. It's easy to do online. I had my eyes on this restaurant for a few weeks now and I was checking on different nights of the week. Availability was pretty widely available until 24h before and after that it's a bit of a gamble but not impossible. They're usually fully booked each night though.

SERVICE I have only good things to say.

My server gave me great attention despite managing several tables. He advised me with opinions on dishes, letting m know what was popular, advice for portions - and many dishes were available half-portion which was great because I love to try a lot of different things. It's hard when dining alone because you often need to commit to just one plate lest you have lots for take-away.

At the end of my meal I tried to give my server kudos through his supervisor, and he said his name was Max. Thank you Max!

This was definitely service I'd expect at a fine dining restaurant - the deportment of the staff, the way things were brought and described as they came to the table, the timing in which I was served, the way the plates/cutlery were replaced and cleared, the timing in which I was checked in on, presentation of the food on the plate... Again, only good things to say about the service here.

ATMOSPHERE Atmosphere was great. Quality of fine dining without the pretentiousness, in a comfortably casual setting hidden in the CBD. Very unassuming storefront. Tables weren't too close together - despite being fully booked every night it seems like they don't try to capitalize on it. There were lots of folks at tables chatting and music playing - It was not too loud which can be a huge turnoff for me when I'm looking for an enjoyable dining experience. Could be casual, could be fancy; dealers choice.

MENU A very solid menu. Good variety but also not too many choices (decision fatigue, anyone?). There was an extensive drink menu and I particularly appreciated the non-alcoholic menu on this night. Options for a non-alcoholic beer and a few cocktails. I hadn't planned on it but then ended up ordering an impromptu six-course meal for dinner. No regrets.

(Pictures posted)

Beef tartare. I went half portion. Very fresh and a light kick. I really liked it. My spice preference is mild to medium - I like a little spice for an accent, keep me warm through the meal, and I still want to actually taste everything! Would order again.

Lobster roll. A justifiably very popular item. I probably could have eaten 5 of them. Melt-in-your-mouth brioche bun. Absolutely would order again. I don't see lobster rolls on many menus in Melbourne (I'm Canadian and I often can't resist a lobster roll!!).

Prawn and chicken dumplings. House made. Again, I went half-portion. And a nice little kick with the crispy chilli. Was delicious and would order again but I wouldn't make it a destination.

Kimchi. House made. Again, perfect amount of kick for me. Great snack or appy but again, wouldn't make it a destination.

Duck bao. Crispy perfection! The meat came off the bone so smoothly. Duck to bao ratio is greater but this is only a comment/observation. I had absolutely zero complaints. The remaining duck was amazing to eat on its own. Absolutely would order again.

Peanut butter parfait. Delicious. A great way to finish. Would order again but not make it a...

Supernormal. The name itself, a playful whisper of the extraordinary, hints at the culinary journey awaiting within its sleek, almost minimalist confines on Flinders Lane. But to call Supernormal merely "extraordinary" would be to undersell a dining experience that consistently elevates, intrigues, and utterly delights. This is not just a restaurant; it is a masterclass in sophisticated Asian-inspired cuisine, delivered with an almost surgical precision and a palpable passion.

Stepping into Supernormal is to enter a realm of refined energy. The buzz is vibrant yet never overwhelming, the lighting artfully dim, creating an intimate atmosphere that nonetheless feels expansive. It’s a place where hushed conversations about exquisite flavours intermingle with the clinking of chopsticks against porcelain, a symphony of gastronomic anticipation.

And what an anticipation it proves to be. The menu, a tantalising tapestry of familiar forms reinterpreted with a daring hand, promises much. But it is in two particular dishes that Supernormal truly transcends the everyday and ascends to the celestial. The Shark Bay Scallops roasted in kelp butter are, quite simply, a revelation. Each scallop, plump and pearlescent, arrives kissed by the grill, their inherent sweetness amplified by the subtle, briny embrace of the kelp butter. It's a dish of understated brilliance, a testament to the power of purity and perfect execution. The butter, infused with the essence of the ocean, clings to the delicate mollusc, creating a flavour profile that is both comforting and exhilarating. A tidal wave of umami that leaves an indelible impression.

Equally captivating, and possessing a far bolder character, are the Xinjiang Lamb Ribs, Cumin and Chilli. This is a dish that grabs you by the lapels and demands your attention, then rewards it tenfold. The lamb, falling from the bone with an almost indecent tenderness, is a canvas for the heady spice blend. The cumin, earthy and aromatic, dances with a chilli kick that is vibrant without being aggressive, leaving a lingering warmth on the palate. Each bite is a journey to the Silk Road, a testament to the power of well judged spice and expert roasting. These ribs are not just food, they are an experience, a culinary embrace that lingers long after the last morsel has been savoured.

Of course, not every dish can reach such dizzying heights, though even the "good" at Supernormal outshines the "spectacular" elsewhere. The Marinated Fremantle octopus is a prime example. Tender and beautifully textured, it showcases the quality of the produce. The marinade is clean and zesty, a pleasant opener. Yet, it lacks the spark, the unexpected flourish that elevates the scallops or the lamb ribs. Similarly, the slow cooked lamb shoulder, while undeniably comforting and deeply flavourful, feels like a well-trodden path. It’s a reliable and satisfying dish, certainly, but it doesn't surprise or challenge the palate in the same way as its more adventurous counterparts. They are good, solid performers, but in a cast of culinary superstars, they remain supporting characters.

Supernormal, then, is more than just a restaurant; it’s an institution. It’s a place where precision meets passion, where familiar ingredients are transformed into something extraordinary. While some dishes shimmer brighter than others, the overall experience is one of consistent excellence and genuine delight. Supernormal doesn’t just live up to its name, it exceeds it, time...

Update 8th Apr 2024 Last time we stepped into Supernormal, it was like diving into a pool of joy, so we made sure to plan ahead and secure a spot for our out-of-town pals. And let me tell you, Supernormal didn't just meet expectations; it threw a party for our taste buds!

Here's what we ordered: New England lobster roll Duck bao A whole flounder swimming in burnt butter dashi and shaved kombu Gippsland striploin with roasted kimchi & spring onion (half size but full on flavor!) Peanut butter parfait dancing with salted caramel and soft chocolate Japanese whisk three milk cake, a dessert fit for dessert royalty

My personal favorites? Well, let's just say the duck bao, peanut butter parfait, and three milk cake are like old friends I can't help but visit every time. And don't get me started on that flounder – the burnt butter dashi had me licking the plate!

Our out-of-town buddies? They gave Supernormal a double thumbs-up and already started planning their return trip. Looks like we've found their new favorite spot in town!

2023 We (party of two) were organized enough to book to dine i at Supernormal this time as we had walked in a few times without booking and was told the wait time would be 90 min +. Extremely happy with our dining experience with delectable food, great ambience and 5/5 customer service.

We ordered Kingfish, mandarin dashi, pink daikon; Korean rice cakes, sweet chili, sesame (5*, this was so delicious, the rice cakes were either pan fried or deep fried to give it the super crispy texture, coupled with the sauce, just amazing); Hunan-style beef tartare, fragrant chili oil (5*, this came with a cracker and was absolutely a delight to have the beef tartare with the cracker); Twice-cooked duck bao with vinegar & plum sauce (5+, to us this was the highlight of all the dishes; very flavorful and crispy and the baos are fluffy, coupled with the plum sauce, it’s a match made in heaven); Slow-cooked lamb shoulder, eggplant (5,even though both of us did not usually eat lamb, we still really enjoy eating this dish as the sauce was just delish: it also came with a bowl of cabbage and was a lovely complement); Peanut butter parfait, salted caramel & soft chocolate ( 5+*, another must have dish to us).

The server was super fantastic and knowledgeable too, he suggested to go half servings for the Korean rice cakes and lamb shoulders, otherwise there might be too much food for the two of us. We did listen and he was absolutely right (we were still super full even at half...