They’re back

Last September Docklands sadly lost its Kobe Jones restaurant after six years at Waterfront City following the sale of its premises.  

But Kobe Jones is back and opened for business on December 29 at WTC Wharf at Northwharf.

And the even better news is that it has added teppanyaki to its menu via a separate venue.

The new Kobe Jones and Riverside Teppanyaki both overlook the Yarra, and the restaurants look great. They offer a great opportunity for a lunch, dinner, cocktail party or corporate event. With lots of local parking, free WTC water taxis from Federation Square, and a tram right next door (Spencer Street bridge) it is easy to get to and hard to resist.

Kobe Jones’ food philosophy has always been that food should be easy to eat and always shared with friends and family. The food is designed to bring the simplicity and beauty of Japanese cooking and meld it with nuances and surprising flavours of the west.

Nothing has changed at Northwharf and all the favourites like No1 Special and Volcano roll are still on the menu.  The menu is still huge with a selection of sushi and sashimi hot rock, rolls, small plates, signature dishes and set menus for couples and groups.

Riverside Teppanyaki has been custom-designed and chefs cook in a traditional Japanese teppanyaki style. Part of the allure is to watch the chef’s knife and cooking skills while your meal is being expertly prepared.

Whether you are seated as a couple or in a group, you are involved in all the action as your menu is cooked to order. The table is like nothing else in Melbourne and is the newest and largest teppanyaki table in Australia, featuring 19 cooking stations and seating for up to 44 people at the same time, using the latest technologies available for induction (electromagnetic) cooking and all-ceiling ventilation.

Lunch – Monday to Friday 11.30 - 3.00 
Dinner – Monday to Saturday 5.30 – Late (Sunday operations will commence later in the year).

Because shoes matter

Michael Avina puts his heart and sole into his work.

Because we all become attached to our favourite, comfy pairs of shoes, Mr Avina approaches his shoe repair business with the utmost care and attention.

“We do the same high-quality repair work on all shoes, from high-end to medium-low end,” he said.

“It’s all the same to us. The shoes are important to their owners, so they are important to us.”

Mr Avina and his business partner, Alex Shinder, opted to open their Phil’s Shoe & Bag Repair outlet at Victoria Harbour because of Docklands’ potential.

“It was an opportunity for us,” he said.

“Docklands is a growing area, and we provide a service that was missing.”

“Here in Bourke St, we are perfectly situated for the many office workers at NAB, Myer and ANZ, as well as residents and visitors.”

They have merged Brown Gouge Dry Cleaning into their shoe care and repair business, and also provide key cutting, engraving, clothing repairs and alterations, and watch batteries and servicing.

“We also specialise in the repair of all leather goods, and emergency hand bag repairs,” Mr Avina said.

They bring a long tradition of quality service, with the Phil’s brand.

Mr Shinder’s father, Phil, opened the first store 35 years ago when he migrated to Melbourne from Russia.

The Shinder family can proudly boast of six generations of shoe makers in eastern Europe and now Melbourne.

Mr Avina said he had received a few odd requests over the years for repair work.

“A magician’s straight jacket was about the weirdest thing I’ve repaired,” he said.

“He was anxious that I did not stitch up certain areas, or he wouldn’t be able to get it undone!”

Phil’s Shoe & Bag Repairs is located on Bourke St, near the corner of Merchant St, in Victoria Harbour, Docklands. Call 9629 8555.