Auterra Wine Bar
CONTACT
Ph: 03 8529 2660
Visit Website
1160 High Street
Armadale,
3143 VIC
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Opening Hours
SUN | 12:00pm - 11:30pm |
---|---|
MON | closed |
TUE | closed |
WED | 5:30pm - 11:30pm |
THU | 5:30pm - 11:30pm |
FRI | 5:30pm - 11:30pm |
SAT | 12:00pm - 11:30pm |
The Details
Need to Know
- Great for Dates
In the mood for
- Wine
THE VERDICT
Auterra, Clinton McIver’s second Armadale restaurant has comfortably carved out a niche of its own despite its sibling (just over the road) Amaru’s sublime reputation.
Once renowned for its snacks, the kitchen will now be renowned for its chef’s menu: think technique-focused, fresh and fun dishes that let the ingredients speak for themselves.
The menu, at $85, represents incredible value for those looking to dip their toe into fine dining, or are just looking for a banging lunch from a team with top notch credentials.
To begin, there's a bowl of iced crudites from Ramarro Farm with a bottarga and smoked ancho chilli oil. This sets the tone for the line-up, fresh and funky.
The marron toast is a drool-worthy spin on that old school dim sum fave prawn toast and the aged pork croquettes are perfectly rich.
For mid-sized plates the wagyu beef tartare with endive vessels and kibbled onions is a must, and the butternut pumpkin native thyme agnolotti with fermented chilli treads the satisfying line between sweet, savoury and spicy.
As for the big plates there’s spatchcock, beef cheek and an assortment of sides like pink fir potatoes with seaweed, three bean cassoulet and to cap things off a chocolate tart with roasted vanilla ice cream.
Aside from the full dining menu there’s still a stack of smaller, fun little bites like oysters, olives and nuts if you’re set on drinking more than eating.
It’s also worth noting the 25-page strong wine list and the bumping tunes bring a vibe that motivates you to work your way through that 450+ bottle cellar post-meal.
"Auterra has always been a go-to for drinks and snacks before or after visiting Amaru, but it’s now also a dining destination in its own right,” says McIver.
And he’s right. High Street, already home to the aforementioned Amaru, Victor Churchill, Bouzy Bar, Ned’s, Zia Rina’s Cucina and Bansho is becoming a port of call for Melbourne’s hungry masses, and Auterra’s new menu is giving diners yet another reason to hit the strip.
For bookings and more, head over here.
Images: Auterra | Supplied
Words: Navarone Farrell