Supernormal

Supernormal is one of the restaurants of Andrew McConnell, the Melbourne chef and restaurateur whose group also runs Cumulus Inc. a short walk along Flinders Lane. It sits at 180 Flinders Lane in the city centre, and there is now a second Supernormal in Brisbane.

The cooking is pan-Asian, drawing on Korean, Japanese and Chinese food rather than any single cuisine, and the menu is designed for sharing. The best-known dish is the lobster roll, a New England-style roll that cannot be ordered in half portions, so plan on one each or share among a group rather than trying to split one between two. Gourmet Traveller names the pot-sticker dumplings as the signature, and other dishes reviewers have singled out include kingfish with mandarin dashi, beef tartare with fermented chilli, and lamb shoulder braised for eight hours and served with sesame-crusted flatbread and a Sichuan pepper broth.

The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, which makes it a reliable option on Sundays and Mondays and for lunch between sightseeing stops. Bookings can be made through the website, and the Qantas Travel Insider guide also lists the phone number (03) 9650 8688. Private dining is available for groups, with details on the official website, which also sells gift vouchers and products through an online store.

The room takes its cues from Japan, with vending machines and an individual light box at each place along the bar, and the drinks list includes an extensive wine selection with staff recommendations and an explanation of sake styles. Supernormal suits couples, small groups and business lunches. Its position on Flinders Lane puts it within walking distance of Hosier Lane, Federation Square and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, so it is easy to combine with an afternoon in the southern part of the city grid. Flinders Lane itself was the centre of Melbourne's rag trade for much of the twentieth century and is now lined with restaurants, bars and boutique hotels, so it is worth walking its length before or after your meal.

If you enjoy Supernormal, McConnell's Cumulus Inc. at 45 Flinders Lane offers a different, all-day menu focused on Victorian produce in the same street, in a building from the lane's rag trade era. Check the official website for current hours and to book, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings and for larger groups.