Emilia reviews an ‘institution’ in Melbourne’s west

It’s time to go west.
Press PLAY to hear Emilia’s full review
This week I visited Luxsmith, modern Asian located in the heart of West Melbourne, along the impressive corner of the meeting of food that is Gamon and Charles streets in Seddon. They have an adjoining bar and wine shop that you can drink in or take away so you can assume that the wine selection is careful and complimentary.
They offer ‘wine knights’ once a month with Ben Knight for $55, with bites and wine crash course and comedy every second Thursday. Already you’re starting to understand what an institution they are for westside locals!
As you walk in you’ll be met by mood lighting, wood accents, punctuated by large murals and massive pendant lights. There are shared tables through the middle and booths around the windows — you feel the intimacy as it only seats about 30. There is also a gorgeous function space which opened in 2021.
Luxsmith offers a diverse and tantalising menu featuring a fusion of Asian and contemporary flavours. We started with the Rice Pancakes with Roasted Duck, Snow Peas & Young Coconut: The rice pancakes were a delightful start to the meal. The roasted duck was chopped finely and paired wonderfully with the refreshing crunch of snow peas and the subtle sweetness of young coconut.
We also tried the Thai Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Lime & Chilli, Lemongrass & Herbs. The tender, thinly sliced beef was complemented by the zesty lime and a hint of chilli, which added a kick. The lemongrass and herbs brought a fragrant element to the dish.
And lastly for entrees, the Kingfish Sashimi Nahm Jim, Coconut, Chilli & Lime. The combination of nahm jim, coconut, chilli, and lime elevated the dish with a burst of Thai-inspired flavours. The creaminess of the coconut balanced well with the tangy lime, enhancing the delicate taste of the kingfish. Where chips and not available to try as a barometer you have dumplings – prawn & chicken dumplings, spiced vinegar & chilli sauce, shallots
I tried a variety of mains to try and find my favourite. First was Crispy Pork Belly, Dry Red Curry, Green Peppercorns & Kaffir Lime — the green peppercorns and kaffir lime provided an exciting contrast, resulting in a satisfying and well-rounded plate. We also tried the fish, Barramundi Grilled in Banana Leaves, Coconut, Turmeric & Pickled Chilli. The barramundi was cooked in banana leaves, infusing it with subtle aromas. The coconut and turmeric added richness to the fish, while the pickled chilli provided a welcome burst of heat.
My favourite dish of the night was the Crying Tiger – Scotch Fillet, Smoked Dry Chilli, Kaffir Lime & Tamarind Sauce. The Crying Tiger was a tender and flavoursome scotch fillet, elevated with smoky dry chilli and the unique tang of kaffir lime. The tamarind sauce tied everything together, adding a delightful sweet and sour note. It was a definite highlight that left an impression, and it went perfectly with the Cashew Salad, Cucumber, Tomato, Coriander & Chilli. The cashew salad was a refreshing accompaniment to the meal, balancing out the richness of the other dishes. The combination of cucumber, tomato, coriander, and chilli provided a refreshing and spicy contrast.
I had leftovers the next day, and the salad stayed crunchy and the steak was still tender.
We tried the passion bramble (Tanqueray Gin, Crème de Mure, passionfruit, lemon) and a 2018 Red Door Shiraz to begin and I had a De-lychee De-licious (el Jimador blanco tequila, Paraiso lychee liqueur, lime juice & passionfruit) for dessert.
If you’re a food lover and haven’t made it out to Luxsmith yet, add it to your list. As is reflective of the culinary industry at the moment, to stay on a reasonable budget I would focus on one main meal, a couple of entrees and sides. And share! — sharing is a must in a restaurant like this, it’s designed to be shared and enjoyed together. Entrees are around $25 each and mains are anywhere between $25-$39.
Luxsmith
5 Gamon St, Seddon
luxsmith.com.au