Chocolate gâteau.
1/9Chocolate gâteau.Supplied
Dining here is a seasonal celebration.
2/9Dining here is a seasonal celebration.Supplied.
Fruits de mer.
3/9Fruits de mer.Wayne Taylor
Classic cocktails at the bar.
4/9Classic cocktails at the bar.Bonnie Savage
Rosy pigeon,grilled figs,jamon.
5/9Rosy pigeon,grilled figs,jamon.Wayne Taylor
Abalone tonkatsu sandwich.
6/9Abalone tonkatsu sandwich.Wayne Taylor
Green-lip abalone.
7/9Green-lip abalone.Jo McGann
Chocolate delice.
8/9Chocolate delice.Wayne Taylor
Wild mushrooms on toast.
9/9Wild mushrooms on toast.Jo McGann

Good Food hatGood Food hat16/20

Contemporary$$$

Don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior. Within lies a softly lit cocoon of glam:plush leather booths,dark oak floorboards,and sea-green marble that accents the former factory’s whitewashed brick walls.

Fifteen years in,restaurateur Andrew McConnell’s flagship still wows and does so in a relaxed-yet- refined,no-tablecloths way. The mandatory degustation is no more but exceptional produce and meticulous saucing remain. Ditto personable waitstaff.

Charred squid is matched with vibrant green romesco. A rack of pink Loddon Valley lamb arrives with pancetta-wrapped sweetbread skewers and mint jelly. Butterflied flathead gets a garlicky boost from pil pil,the Spanish sauce made with salted fish.

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The buttery base of a raspberry tart hides beneath swirls of airy creme diplomat and berries done two ways – proof in a dish that the pared-back Cutler still packs a punch.

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Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs
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