Izakaya Umina, Cremorne

Izakaya Umina is located in Cremorne. It has a simple shop front so you may not realise this hidden gem exists. While the name “Izakaya Umina” sounds Japanese, the restaurant is best described as Modern Japanese with a splash of French technique. Owner and Head chef Tomo is Japanese but is trained in French cooking. I love this combination.

The venue is beautiful with a selection of tables and then there's selected horigotatsu seating towards the back where you need to take off your shoes and sit on a recessed floor. There is still leg room.

I was actually quite excited because I’ve dined at Tomo’s previous venues so I had high expectations to be honest. Let’s start the date night meal. 

Firstly there’s the whipped smoked kingfish with soba buckwheat lavash crackers with caviar ($18). The whipped smoked kingfish is smooth and rich in texture. The crunchy lavash crackers make for the perfect luxurious scoop. This is a great dish to start the meal and warm up the tastebuds. 

Izakaya Umina has a selection of drinks. By recommendation we order the Isezaki (drink on the left, $21) which has Heiwa Yuzu shu, cointreau, roku gin and cucumber. This drink is well balanced with sweetness and acidity. I highly recommend.  I also liked the Laid Back ($21) which is made of jim beam, burbon, southern comfort, popcorn syrup and wattle seeds. This drink was a stiff drink but was also mellowed out with sweet popcorn tones. I loved it. I loved both drinks.

Next on the menu for Izakaya Umina is the Fried Cauliflower and Broccoli with the saikyu miso, pea and sultana ($19). This dish is definitely more attuned to Modern Australian with a touch of Japanese fusion cuisine. The textures of the cauliflower and broccoli are enjoyable to eat. The saikyu miso elevates the dish, along with the textures of pea and sultana.

There's a signature at Izakaya Umina and it's the Signature Sashimi ($26) with salmon, scallops, white ponzu, watermelon radish with whipped kombu. This dish has so much flair, style and sex appeal - the fresh sashimi is so beautiful sits on a the white ponzu. It's not until you peel back the layers that you discover the creamy whipped kombu at the bottom to bring the dish together. This was a cracker of a dish and is a must order.

 From the yakitori skewer menu at Izakaya Umina, there's the Chicken wings (2pc, $10) with dashi butter. That dashi butter though, it's very finger licking good. It lingers on the palette in a delicious way. The chicken is well cooked.

I also try the Black Angus tenderloin MB2+ beach mustard gremolata ($21). It's a stellar looking skewer served up with the gremolata which is a zesty herb sauce and soy sauce. The saltiness of the soy sauce compliments the gremolata so well. Tomo really knows how to maximise flavour from amazing produce.

I'm here at Izakaya Umina on a Thursday night and it looks to be a nearly full restaurant. It appears to hit peak around 7pm-8pm so you may need to be patient with the food coming out. Sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.

One dish immediately caught my eye at Izakaya Umina. It was on the Weekly Specials menu which had the Scampi Ramen with truffle oil, crab and scallop broth with black fungus, leeks and herbs. Firstly, I have to say, I really enjoy chewy ramen noodles and they had soaked up that lovely crab and scallop broth. So yum. The scampi is enjoyable to eat in that rich, tasty broth too. I highly recommend this dish.

For those who just enjoy wholesome and fresh produce, you can't go past the Classic Sashimi (9pc, $25),  with salmon, blue fin tuna and scallops. I like the fresh wasabi and the produce was certainty of high quality. So good.

For dessert, at Izakaya Umina, there's the Mango and Mandarin Parfait ($17) with mango and olive oil sorbet, macadamia, cheesecake and chocolate. The dish is beautifully presented and I am eager to dig in with my spoon. The sorbet is really smooth and refreshing and I enjoy the cheesecake flavours with crunchiness of the macadamia. A great way to finish the meal.

Summary: Overall, I am blown away by my meal at Izakya Umina. Head Chef and Owner Tomo balances flavours, textures and fuses different cuisines together so well. My favourite dishes were the Signature Sashimi, Scampi Ramen and the cocktails. Amazing stuff. 

Make sure you book to avoid disappointment.

Location: 8/255 Military Road, Cremorne. 

Price: Depends if you do set menu or free style your choices. I would pick a few dishes (ranging from $17-51) and share

Opening Hours:

Mon, Tue - Closed

Wed- Sat 6pm to 10pm

Sun 6pm to 9pm