[content_slider]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[content_slide]
[/content_slide]
[/content_slider]
MELBOURNE | Miznon is an Israeli street food chain owned by chef and Master Chef Israel host Eyal Shani, described by Yotam Ottolenghi as “the voice of modern Israeli cuisine”. Shani’s food has been lauded around the world, and today there are Miznon branches in Tel Aviv, Paris, Vienna, New York and, of course, Melbourne.
Miznon Melbourne is located on Hardware Lane, and is bigger than it appears at street level. Alfresco dining and a small dining area extend to a downstairs section, where the open kitchen lies, and a level upstairs. Downstairs is where you want to be. The energy of the chefs in the kitchen, shouting and directing, the fast pace, the eclectic music, the ambient noise – they all combine to create a vibrant, exciting space.
Israeli street food is what Miznon is all about, and the menu has a lot to entice hungry diners. One thing you can’t miss when you walk downstairs are the baby cauliflower that are everywhere. It’s the restaurant’s signature item and the perfect introduction to what Miznon is all about – simple flavours and quality produce. A whole cauliflower is brined, roasted whole with olive oil and salt, and served to share on baking paper. It’s a must try.
The other thing that Miznon is famous for are its pitas. Soft, fluffy, and dense pita is sourced from Brunswick Turkish bakery and restaurant Alasya. Filled with an assortment of ingredients, traditional and non-traditional, they’re a delight. We tried the ‘Pita With A Bone’ – bone in lamb rib stew, tahini, pickles, onion, chili, and the ‘Golden Fish’ – battered mulloway, aioli, tomato, coriander and vinegar. You can’t go wrong with either, but the Golden Fish is particularly delicious, with a wonderful balance of fresh flavours and textures.
Those wanting something other than pita are spoiled for choice. The ‘Sac de Coque, a bag filled with roast chicken, herbs, fried potatoes, and aioli, is delicious. The hraime, baked spicy fish with tahini and chili, is full of bursts of freshness and flavour. A cold board of thin roast beef strips topped with tomato seeds, chili, black pepper, and olive oil is also a great option.
For drinks it’s a few craft beers on tap and bottle, a handful of wines, and a small number of signature cocktails. The cocktails are particularly interesting, with ingredients like arak, mint, and sage adding a Mediterranean flavour.
It’s easy to dismiss Hardware Lane, with its many tourist focused restaurants of varying quality, but Miznon provides locals and visitors alike with a very good reason to come and take a look. No matter what you order, you can’t go wrong.
Miznon
59 Hardware Lane
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9670 2861
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Wed – Fri: 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 10:30am to 11:00pm