Opening in 1994 in Kew and operating as a small restaurant seating just 30 guests, Ocha gained a loyal following and eventually moved to the refurbished Bee Hive complex in Hawthorn, providing artisan style Japanese food to a captivated Melbourne crowd. A purposefully understated dining room emanates the same original charm of the first venue with cream walls and sandy tones giving warmth to a smart ambiance. Traditional techniques are used to create flavours that dance across the palate, designed with imaginative touches and contemporary Japanese flavours. For a shared dining experience, try an array of plates like kombu cured whiting canapes, rare grilled carpaccio of venison with a wasabi vinaigrette, chargrilled calamari with a sweet soy glaze and miso marinated grilled black cod.
