Enlightened dining

NZ-owned restaurant Seamstress has won over critics and diners just weeks after its opening in Melbourne. The four-storey modern Cantonese eatery is co-owned by Dunedin-born Jason Chan, who runs the successful NZ-themed cafe Batch in Balaclava, and Anthony Herzog. Executive chef Raymond Larkins is another New Zealander, who moved to Melbourne from Wellington four years ago. The trio earned a glowing write-up from veteran Herald Sun reviewer Bob Hart in their first week open for business. “Seamstress is the enlightened product of the combined experience and talents of two of Melbourne’s better young operators,” writes Hart. “They had a clear, shared dream, and they have realised it brilliantly.” He goes on to describe Larkins’ menu as “outstanding”, “inspired” and “brilliantly executed”.