Kazen

Ph: (03) 9417 3270; 201 Brunswick St, FITZROY 3065

Japanese, $$ -, * for Food & Ambience
Open Lunch: Tues-Fri noon-3pm, Dinner: Tues- Sun 6-10.30pm, Closed mon,some public holidays; Licensed, BYO bottled wine only, Corkage $2 bottle; AE, BC, MC, V, Seats inside 38, Outside seats 20

Mietta's Review
Owner and chef Kazuhiko Ueda was trained in the art of traditional Japanese cuisine and has also had experience with Italian cooking. He brings these two worlds together in his Brunswick St eatery, creating skilled and innovative food. Well worth a visit.

Other published opinions

The Age A2 The Good Life Melinda Houston 2/7/05 "it's comforting to know that some things stay the same. In a quiet block in the shadow of the commission flats, this modest but enormously appealing Japanese cafe continues to cheerfully provide traditional and not-so-traditional fare that's as good as it is cheap."

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 "KAZEN'S quirky mix of Japanese and Italian cuisines is perfectly suited to its Brunswick Street location, going by the eclectic Fitzroy types who gather to graze on risotto or sushi, carpaccio or tempura. Banter between tables in this comfortable bluestone cafe can make Kazen feel like a clubhouse"

The Foodies' Guide 2004, Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'Things are a bit different at Kazen.Take for instance,the beef carpaccio,an Italian dish lightly char-grilled and served with ginger and garlic.Delicious,but different,and that's why the menu goes here,with other items such as tofu salad with avocado and linguini with Japanese mountain vegetables and shiitake mushrooms.'

AGFG 2004, score 14/20, wide selection of vegetarian dishes, two courses for $25 or less

Age Good Food Guide 2003 score 14/20

The Age, A2, 23/8/03, John Weldon