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Eighty One

13/20

Contemporary$$$

A dating couple here, a birthday family there, local business guys sinking beers - this 1846 corner building offers the neighbourhood a couple of seating options. a bustling bar at the front and a more sedate white-walled room at the back. The bar has soaring timber ceilings, banquettes and an all-day tapas menu. Saganaki sizzles in the pan; 'fingers' of crumbed wagyu brisket amp up richness with soy mayo. From the main menu, venison schnitzel might come with an oddly sweet bean-mushroom-bacon mix. Seafood linguine is studded with nubs of prawn and picked crabmeat, and the zing of citrus zest - grated parmesan comes atop, unasked. House-pickled onion accompanies crisp battered grenadier and wedge-style chips. For dessert, chewy raspberry-beetroot jelly might be layered with chocolate mousse in a tumbler. Miniature meringues accompany seasonal fruits; it's pleasantly sweet - as are the waitstaff, who deal with diverse comers with amiable professionalism.

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Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/eighty-one-20130827-32bza.html