Mr. Miyagi

“Girl who cannot eat with chopsticks is girl not worth talking to,” or so says the newest resident of the ever-growing Windsor end of Chapel Street, Mr. Miyagi. Based on the iconic sensei from the Karate Kid films, the restaurant/bar is a welcome addition to the brunch-heavy end of Chaps.

Co-owner and creator Andy Restein says the concept was born on a regular boys’ night out along the shopping strip.

“If I was on death row, my last meal would be Japanese,” says Restein. “And every week we’d pick a new Chapel Street place every week, and I wondered why there were no really cool Japanese places.”

In its essence Mr. Miyagi wants to deliver you traditional Japanese specialties – with a twist. Concrete floors and iron detailing lend the restaurant a New York bar vibe, which comes out in use of neon signs, eclectic art and a hallway to the bathroom reminiscent of the backstreets of Tokyo. Seating is casual with a mix of stools and crates up the front perfect for perving on passing foot traffic. Alternatively, pull up a pew at the bar and watch the sashimi masters at work.

The menu is broken up into rounds: one, two and three. Round one has all your favourite Japanese snacks, including edamame ($4) and Daniel San katsu bun ($15/3pc), and also new age interpretations such as David Chang’s ramen gnocchi wagyu bolognese ($15).

Round two delves into share plates of sashimi, sushi hand rolls and skewers, whilst Round three takes it to the next level, including a salt roasted Otways pork belly ($30) and a miso glazed kingfish ($29). Dessert of kobacha pumpkin with white chocolate pumpkin ganache ($15) was a standout.

Thirsty but no prior knowledge of sake? No problem. Mr Miyagi has a simple three step process to help you decide that which soothes you. Sakes come in a range of sweet and dry, hot and cold, ensuring you can find the perfect drop for whatever your mood.

In the last words of the famous karate instructor, “Mr M says if you can read this you need another drink.”

MR MIYAGI
99 Chapel Street in Windsor
9529 5999
mrmiyagi.com.au