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Embla

Wine cave takes on a whole new meaning.

Embla’s cavernous dining room.
1 / 9Embla’s cavernous dining room.supplied
One of the dishes you might find at Embla.
2 / 9One of the dishes you might find at Embla.Supplied
Chicken skin crisps with whipped anchovy.
3 / 9Chicken skin crisps with whipped anchovy.Justin McManus
Fried polenta with pine nuts and sage.
4 / 9Fried polenta with pine nuts and sage.Justin McManus
Embla maintains its magnetic appeal.
5 / 9Embla maintains its magnetic appeal.Kristoffer Paulsen
Roast chicken with sauce vin John.
6 / 9Roast chicken with sauce vin John.Kristoffer Paulsen
Creamed corn is a menu staple.
7 / 9Creamed corn is a menu staple.Kristoffer Paulsen
Charred blue eye and mushroom tartare.
8 / 9Charred blue eye and mushroom tartare.Justin McManus
Embla’s pork belly.
9 / 9Embla’s pork belly.Eddie Jim

Good Food hat15.5/20

Contemporary$$

Embla is dark. In fact, it’s barely lit for dinner, the cavernous room illuminated mainly by downlights and the wood oven’s glowing embers. And that’s the magic.

Venture to a back table or prop up at the bar and slip into your own little world: one where the chenin blanc is aged under flor, the glassware is Gabriel, and you can trade gossip virtually incognito. Window sills are lined with bottles from every cult producer you’ve ever dreamed of drinking, while the list promises new discoveries.

Doorstop slices of sourdough help shoulder the weight of left-of centre small plates such as artfully plated tartare with almond cream and fried wild rice. Pared-back dishes shine. Blue-eye is dressed in tomato and saffon, and vongole with fregola and pork sausage is satisfyingly salty on many levels. Expressive, moody, playful – Embla contains multitudes.

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Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/vic-good-food-guide/embla-20240219-p5f667.html