Ripponlea restaurant Attica named Australasia’s best restaurant again

FOR THE sixth year running, Attica in Melbourne has been named Australasia’s best restaurant in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

FOR THE sixth year running, Attica in Melbourne has been named Australasia’s best restaurant in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Ben Shewry’s Ripponlea restaurant rocketed up the list to 20 from 32 last year.

It is the highest ranking the restaurant has achieved, which follows Melbourne hosting the global gastronomy awards in 2017.

IS ATTICA AS GOOD AS THEY SAY?

WORLD’S BEST CHEFS COMING TO TOWN

Attica’s salt-cured red kangaroo with bunya bunya.

Pears and maidenii from Attica.

Attica is the only Australian restaurant to make this year’s list, which was announced in Bilbao, Spain on Tuesday night.

Mr Shewry in Bilbao for the awards said he was delighted with his restaurant’s placing.

“It’s an incredible honour to represent Australia over here and I’m so proud to call myself an Australian chef and work in the best city in the world, Melbourne,” he said.

“Full credit to our team at Attica for believing in what we do and making it fun every single day.”

World's 50 Best Restaurants Aussie hopeful Attica chef Ben Shewry with 2016 World number one Massimo Bottura. Picture: Jason Edwards

Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, regained the top spot, after falling to second place last year.

Last year’s number 1 restaurant, Eleven Madison Park in New York, fell to fourth place after closing for renovations during the year.

The original Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London came in at 45, while The Ledbury, also in London, helmed by Aussie chef Brett Graham was named 42.

Last week, Brae in Birregurra was the only Australian restaurant named on the secondary 51-100 list, named 58th restaurant in the world.

THIS VIC RESTAURANT IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST

Avo on toast at Attica in Ripponlea.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU

DINING at Melbourne’s best restaurant doesn’t come cheap, setting diners back $275 each, with the renowned eatery offering wine matches from $185 per person.

Its groundbreaking 2018 menu currently offers dishes including “Happy Little Vegemite”, “An Imperfect History of Ripponlea”, “Green Ant Pav” and “Pests of the Neighbourhood”.

A whipped emu egg at Attica in Ripponlea.

A dessert dish labelled An Imperfect History of Ripponlea. Picture: Supplied

Attica’s more straightforward menu offerings include “Pumpkin, Offal and Sour Beer”, “Marron Wrapped in Kelp” and “Whipped Emu Egg”.

Such is demand for a table that Attica releases bookings three months in advance, with tables for two often booking out immediately upon release, its website says.

And the rules for booking are strict, with diners stung $275 for late cancellations and changes.

The renowned eatery’s exquisite dish made up of a hand-dived scallop.