II.II.VI Launches with Fire, Flair and a Basement Full of Buzz
A bronze bull marks the spot, but the real action happens below. Down a dimly lit stairwell beneath Flinders Lane’s Invicta House, we descended into the opening night of II.II.VI. Melbourne’s newest fire-driven restaurant, where smoke, steak and serious style collide in a basement built for the after-hours crowd.
Restaurant II.II.VI (226)
The venue is the latest from Harsha Kumarasingha and Jayantha Warnakula, the duo behind Ministry of Crab. This time they’ve traded crabs for coals, and the result is a sultry subterranean space that feels like a cross between a Japanese robata bar, a moody Paris steakhouse and an elegant supper club you’ll want to linger in well past your reservation.
Designed by AIR Studio, the fit-out nails that rich, tactile luxury Melbourne does so well. Think oxblood leather banquettes, custom stone, smoky mirrors, soft amber lighting and a glowing open kitchen anchoring the room. It’s all about the fire, not just in concept but in execution. The chefs work off a custom Parilla grill, robata and charcoal oven. No gas, no shortcuts, just wood, flame and a whole lot of finesse.
At the launch party, the tone was set early with Pol Roger champagne on arrival and a spicy margarita that didn’t hold back. It might be the spiciest we’ve ever encountered, with a proper chilli kick that stayed with you. Luckily, the canapés made for excellent damage control.
We wandered into the private dining room, temporarily transformed into a wine tasting lounge with an LVMH representative leading the pour. A crisp Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, a pale Provence rosé and a bold Argentinian Malbec made their rounds. The Malbec, we were told, pairs beautifully with steak. We tried it. They were right.
The roaming menu previewed what this fire-first kitchen is all about. Highlights included Pacific oysters with tosazu jelly and finger lime, white anchovies with guindillas and olives, caviar tartlets, foie gras with fig jam and hazelnut and Hokkaido scallops with citrus hollandaise. The Westholme steak tartare was a standout, but the MB6+ strip steak carved straight from the flames sealed the deal. A croquembouche capped things off, standing tall and glossy like a pastry chandelier.
II.II.VI is now open from Wednesday to Saturday, 5pm until midnight. Expect bold fire-led cooking, premium produce from Mayura Station, Westholme and Mount Zero, and a venue that hums with late-night potential. It’s grown-up, a bit dramatic and unashamedly confident, just the way we like it.
A bronze bull marks the spot, but the real action happens below. Down a dimly lit stairwell beneath Flinders Lane’s Invicta House, we descended into the opening night of II.II.VI. Melbourne’s newest fire-driven restaurant, where smoke, steak and serious style collide in a basement built for the after-hours crowd.
