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Amaru

Clinton McIver’s intimate fine diner Amaru continues its quiet rule, turning out beautifully judged odes to Aussie ingredients every single time.

Shiitake ice cream, cacao, sandalwood.
Shiitake ice cream, cacao, sandalwood.

5/1121 High St, Armadale

(03) 9822 0144

amarumelbourne.com.au

Clinton McIver’s intimate fine diner continues its quiet rule, turning out beautifully judged odes to Aussie ingredients every single time.

It’s a pleasure to watch McIver and his honed team toil humbly in the open kitchen, but it’s not just the food that makes the experience, for there is quality and coherence in every aspect of Amaru, from service and fit-out to well-spaced tables, warm welcome and gracious goodbye.

Snack attack at Amaru.
Snack attack at Amaru.

With two set menus to choose from, each dish is served and explained by chef, sommelier or waiter in the supremely luxe yet comfortable dining room.

Snacks – a dim sim of pork jowl, a cracker with smoked eel – are a memorable start to the journey of hard-to-beat deliciousness that might later take in a tile of just-set kangaroo loin expertly cooked on coals with Kampot pepper, or the brined and bronze-skinned quail leg and breast taking a tropical trip with dried pineapple.

Salted woodside goats curd cheesecake.
Salted woodside goats curd cheesecake.

Cleanse the palate with the sweet-savoury collision of shiitake ice cream before a citrusy mash-up – kiwi, grapefruit, finger lime – involving textures of meringue, sorbet and jelly.

Drink well from an extensive cellar of wines covering all price points.

Amaru’s minimal fanfare and maximum flavour and style will always be a classy combination.

Cuisine: Contemporary

Chef: Clinton McIver

Open: Lunch Fri-Sat; Dinner Tue-Sat

Price: $$$$

Go-to dish: Red kangaroo, hazelnut, raw licorice

Instagram: @amaru_melbourne

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/delicious-100/amaru/news-story/ebc622650cf7c5e0d7949925024b8f5f