Everybody has to have a favourite restaurant. Some of us need six. You need to have some place where you feel totally at home when you are out to dinner and, depending on who you are dining with and what they want to eat, a smorgasbord selection of favourite places.

Totally at home

Wabi Sabi Garden is an inviting new Japanese restaurant, that is a wonderful discovery, hidden away in a fascinating little corner. Not a place you would stumble upon but a destination in itself.

There is something that makes you feel totally at home. The ambience, the intriguing mix of authentic Japanese aestheticism and the eclectic décor is Japanese style 2007, direct from modern day Tokyo. It is a fantastic space with two big dining areas flowing into a Japanese garden and an open air eating area at the rear.

Seafood menu

This is the second restaurant venture for Sophia Davis and business partner Tomoya Kawasaki. They also have the very popular Wabi Sabi Salon in Smith St, Collingwood.

Everything has worked out brilliantly in this new venture, not least the head chef, Atsushi Kawakami, this being his 3rd restaurant to open and create the entire menu.

Out of this world

They serve a range of exquisite appetizers and platters and offer beginners a set menu.

The predominantly seafood menu mixes traditional styles with modern tastes from around the world with the Japanese genius for adapting everything.

Highly recommended are the fresh oysters with a totally out-of-this-world dressing and the hiramasa - lightly scorched kingfish sashimi with lime dressing and a garnish of fried garlic chips. You will love it but make sure you book.

Hours: Lunch, Tues - Fri 12 - 3pm. Dinner, Tues - Sun 6pm - 9.30pm.

(Last order 9.30pm Sun-Tues & 10pm Wed-Sat).