114 Russell Street, Melbourne
Izakaya Den is a very easy to miss Izakaya style tapas bar and restaurant. As you navigate your way down the set of stairs from Russell Street and past the curtains, you will find yourself transported to a completely different atmosphere. The dimly lit basement bar which is adorned with a variety of liquor leads you into the restaurant area, where you can sit and watch the entire process of your food transforming from basic ingredients into a complete dish.
Entrance hidden off Russell Street
Dimly lit basement
Grill and bar area
Hot foods section
Prep and desserts
Master Den
Yuzuko
The yuzuko is a very light drink with the distinct flavour of the Japanese yuzu fruit, which often draws comparisons with the Italian Limoncello. It is an incredibly refreshing drink which is great at getting your appetite going.
Wagyu beef tataki
My two favourite dishes at Izakaya Den would have to be the wagyu beef tataki and the grilled ox tongue. I chose to order the wagyu tataki this time as I was looking for something lighter.
The chefs at Izakaya Den take advantage of the high quality ingredients and use their skillful technique to offer the wonderfully light wagyu tataki dish. The texture of the beef is kept in tact with only the lightest searing on the outer layer whilst being contrasted against the crispy fried shallots. The light ponzu sauce also acted to enhance the flavour of not only the meat but the entire dish.
The chefs at Izakaya Den take advantage of the high quality ingredients and use their skillful technique to offer the wonderfully light wagyu tataki dish. The texture of the beef is kept in tact with only the lightest searing on the outer layer whilst being contrasted against the crispy fried shallots. The light ponzu sauce also acted to enhance the flavour of not only the meat but the entire dish.
Yuzu curd tart with meringue
The food served at Izakaya Den is always exceptional and this time was no exception. The service was also very attentive and the bar staff were friendly.
Having visited Izakaya Den multiple times, I have never found myself disappointed. They constantly keep up their high standards of both the food and service which has in turn made them one of my favourite places to visit.
Having visited Izakaya Den multiple times, I have never found myself disappointed. They constantly keep up their high standards of both the food and service which has in turn made them one of my favourite places to visit.
Food Rating 9/10
Overall Rating 9.5/10