Those who've visited and loved Taxi Kitchen or Lucy Liu over the years will be be no strangers to British restaurateur-slash-chef Michael Lambie's masterful takes on Southeast Asian flavours. Juni is the first Melbourne restaurant in four years from Lambie, and we couldn't be happier he's returned to our fair city.
"I’m thrilled to be back cooking in Melbourne – it’s become my hometown – and I’ve wanted to open up a restaurant here again for a long time," shared Lambie. Sir, consider your citizenship request granted.
The restaurant is named in honour of his mother June, who passed away earlier this year.
With head chef Hendri Budiman (formerly of Coda) joining him in the kitchen, Juni is set to offer visitors an exciting taste of what two hospo greats can achieve when they join forces.
Large plates include a dry-aged half Chinese duck with cucumber, pickled daikon, spicy hoi sin and pancakes; steamed barramundi fillets with black bean, ginger flower and leeks; and fragrant lamb shoulder with Malaya curry, chilli sambal and condiments galore (if you order this one, you'd better share – it's for two people or more). Plant-based eaters will no doubt order the all-vegan Japanese pumpkin and eggplant red curry with lychee and hot mint.
Only planning to stop in for a drink? The bevs on offer will cater to every kind of liquor (and non-alc) lover. There's a generous selection of global wines, beers and spirits, but why not wet your whistle with an Asian-inspired cocktail or mocktail or two? The Dragon's Eye Spritz is a ginger and lychee lover's best friend, while the virgin Coconut Nojito certainly won't play second fiddle to the boozy options.
And in case you get peckish, the snackier end of the menu features cocktail-friendly bites such as seared tuna tataki with ginger and wasabi dressing; sizzling half-shell scallops with spicy tom yum brown butter; crayfish dumplings with ginger and green onion; and togarashi-spiced cauliflower with sesame, tofu and walnut furikake.
Juni is suitable for dates, business lunches, pre- and post-theatre gatherings and anything in between. We recommend booking at the website.