West of Kin - Asian Fusion in West Melbourne
Authentic Asian fusion at its best.
Positioned in a heritage-listed property in Braybrook west of Melbourne, Asian fusion restaurant, West of Kin, is a welcome newcomer to the area.
Different from its sister restaurant, Kin, in the east on Chapel Street, this modern eatery pushes the boundaries of high class dining experiences, serving up authentic, delicious dishes, using seasonal ingredients not found in your average restaurant.
Quality is what you'd expect with two Chef Hat awarded consultant chef Sam Pinzone in the kitchen. Sam previously worked under Neil Perry at Rockpool, Jacques Reymond and recently was executive chef at the refurbished The Rose Upstairs in Fitzroy. He's joined by head chef Alex Kim.
Living in Richmond, with so many cafes and restaurants to choose from, I haven't needed to travel across Melbourne in search of places to eat. Then West of Kin invited me to trial their new winter menus.
Keep scrolling for delicious goodness...
Chai Latte
Wonton fries, Lup Cheong & Beetroot arancini, Master stock shredded duck egg noodles with kimchi and warm sago pudding
BRUNCH
It's refreshing to see a different brunch menu pop onto the scene and this one's definitely worth the travel.
The menu featured almost entirely asian choices; Abalone congee, Okonomiyaki, Bibimbab and WOK Soft Shell Crab bun mei, to name a few. Having grown up in a half-asian household, with a Chinese Australian mother, this menu was all I could have hoped for in a breakfast/brunch.
I ordered Wonton fries, Lup Cheong & Beetroot arancini, Master stock shredded duck egg noodles with kimchi and warm sago pudding. Everything was delicious.
If you're not one for a heavy breakfast in the morning, I'd recommend coming for a late brunch or lunch, that way you'll be able to try a few things and make a real feast out of it.
Abalone congee, fried shallot, fried garlic, XO, master stock egg
Imitation squid ink cannelloni, prawn & squid filling, wasabi pea puree, smoked yogurt, viola, sesame & yuzu granita
DINNER
A few weeks after my brunch experience I was back at West of Kin for their Winter Dinner with a group of Melbourne influences. I knew from my brunch visit that the meal to come would be amazing.
We were treated to 10 courses plus matching wines. The stand outs for me were the cannelloni, flounder with pipi's, stir-fried mushrooms, WOK salad with a secret ingredient in it (which I won't spoil for you) and Korean wrap "Bossam" with braised pork belly and kimchi. Designed to share, each dish had individual flavours yet they all complemented each other really well.
While the dishes are on the more expensive end of dining, West of Kin is the perfect place to bring the family for a special meal or book a table for a date night.
I would definitely recommend a visit for your next brunch or dinner out.
Lei xx
Stir-fried mushroom, black and white fungi, baby sweet corn, viola, dap ca, almond snow
Cho-gochu-jang ceviche king fish, avruga caviar, almond cream, quail, egg yolk, sea cucumber, ice plant, kelp infused oil
Deep fried flounder, pipis in black bean sauce, crunchy wild rice, can nouc
Valhrona chocolate mousse, fresh & freeze dried raspberries + Taiwanese pineapple cake, yuzu granita.
I dined as a guest of West of Kin for both brunch and dinner. However, all comments and opinions are my own.