MARUMO

Scoring a table here? Pure lottery territory. Those lucky enough to snag a reservation at Marumo know exactly why the booking wars are so fierce. Chef Moe—who started this journey back in 2011 in a tiny Leeming fish-and-chip shop—now orchestrates an exquisite, unpretentious Japanese feast that commands absolute loyalty. A sprawling 2.5-hour, nine-course progression. Flawless sashimi. Delicate desserts. But the undisputed heavyweight champion of the night is the signature salmon sushi—the shari is impossibly soft, the fish pristine, crowned with glistening roe pearls. At $110 a head, the value is wildly good. It’s a strictly BYO setup—grab a bottle from the IGA down the road, settle in, and let the itamae work his magic.