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Review: Fine dining at Melbourne izakaya Ototo

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Address 349-351 Flinders Ln Melbourne , VIC 3000 View map Opening hours Tue-Sunday Dinner Feature Accept reservations, Bars, Licensed, Events Price Medium ($20-$40 electricity) Payment eftpos, Visa, Mastercard Phone 03 9620 1343 Before we ordered drinks or looked at the menu or even sat down, we had been told our time was limited. “You have an hour and a half,” said the hostess in a tone between apologies and accusations. It’s not the most welcoming way to greet people, but I’m not sure that welcome is a top priority at Ototo, a new, mixed-use izakaya in the basement of Flinders Lane. Ototo is an extension of Akaiito, a more formal Japanese restaurant that occupies the ground floor. Continue down to find this sleek dark room with rows of semicircular cubicles, the ceiling of which is decorated with lighting ...

Review: Humbug represents the best fine dining in Newcastle at the moment

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Address 87-89 St . Hunters Newcastle , NSW 2300 View map Opening hours Lunch and dinner Wednesday-Saturday Feature Licensed, Accept orders Price Medium ($20-$40 electricity) Payment eftpos, Visa, Mastercard Phone 02 4044 4803 Disclaimer: I was born in Newcastle and I love the city like Novocastrians love rugby league and complain about light rail. Whenever a savvy young operator opens a new restaurant in my hometown, I’m vulnerable to the wild claim that Newcastle is a foodie’s paradise and Sydneysiders should put down their macchiatos and get the highways ready. But I’ve been on fire: an inspired restaurant turns heads in Coal Town every few years, but rarely starts a trend that’s bigger than new places that go beyond tandoori chicken on pizza. And while some amazing bars have launched in Newcastle over the...