One of my favourite places for a special but affordable meal is at Gyspy & Pig. Big Fil took me some time ago (see his review July 2012) and I've loved it ever since. It's classy Japanese that's perfect for something that gives a sense of occasion that you don't get from a run-of-the-mill sushi and bento box places but it's not so formal and over-priced that you couldn't go here more often than just for extra special occasions.
What I also like about G&P is that the food has been consistently above average each time I've been here. For a girly gossip session, I took Mrs H, Ms W and Ms H to G&P.
We all had difficulty deciding what to order as each of us had several dishes that were tempting us. Mrs H got the katsu curry- a lovely light, crunchy crumbed loin of pork w Japanese curry sauce and rice. It came with a trio of side dishes and a serve of miso soup.
I forgot to note down what Ms H ordered but I think it was the ton katsu - deep fried strips of pork loin.
Ms W and I both got the shoga-yaki - pork strips marinated in soy and ginger. It also came with the same trio of sides, rice, a mound of finely grated radish and miso soup. Great flavour in the pork, tender and a nice amount of fat to add that delectable juiciness to the pork.
Verdict
Food – 8.5
Service – 7
Ambience – 7.5
Price – 8
Overall
Love the place. It's small but intimate. Quality through and through. I love the fresh pots and bottles of complex and very tasty dressings and condiments that's on each table which you add to your salads and rice.
Address
Gypsy & Pig
Shop 3, 391 Little Lonsdale St
Melbourne
Telephone: 9640 0731
2 comments:
Totally agree with you. I've been a regular to G&S for years. It's my fav restaurant and also our family restaurant for any special occasion. Have been following Kenji San since his old restaurant in Liverpool street, that was nearly 6 years ago. I usually come here for dinner, have tried most dishes and they are mostly sensational. Tuna Carpaccio and stuffed chicken wings are dishes he kept from his previous restaurant, they are my must have dishes every time. Wagyu tataki, scotch eggs, Kurobuta korooke, Kurobuta eye fillet Tonkotsu, ebi fry, sliced tender Kurobuta belly & cucumber with special garlic sauce, Kurobuta ribs with chips, omurice etc. are all beautiful dishes. If you are after traditional Tonkotsu, highly recommended Kurobuta eye fillet, it is juicy, tender and succulent. Have it with the Tonkotsu sauce and mustard, it's sensational. Don't forget to check out their special menu board during your visit. The quality of food, flavors, presentation and service is always at the highest standard. Being a countless visit regular customers, I can tell you that Kenji San's cooking and plating has always been at the highest standard, presentation is the same, flavors never changes, you know what you can expect from this great chef. It's always amazing to watch him cook at the kitchen. From preparation, cooking to plating, he is a one man show chef with almost no help in the kitchen. From miso soup to dessert, he almost prep everything himself. It's very impressive watching a chef cooking with so much passion and thrive to always present the best food. I totally adore this place, very small but intimate just like you said. Even I've been visiting for years, it still never stop "wowing" my palette. Quality and sensational, G&S never failed to deliver an incredible dining experience.
Hi LSQ, many thanks for your comment and your insight into Kenji San's cooking - it sounds like you're a big fan of Gypsy and Pig :) It's a great place and definitely one of my favourite places for Japanese.
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