Church St Enoteca

Located in Richmond, Church St Enoteca is a restaurant with a proud reputation forged over many years of operation. Consistently enjoying success, Church St Enoteca is a Melbourne “institution” in every sense of the word.

A year on from our last visit, it was wonderful to be back in Church St Enoteca's warm and inviting dining room. Adorned with original vintage posters and wooden floorboards dating back to when it was a metal works factory, Church St Enoteca exudes an ambience of subdued elegance.

The kitchen has recently changed its direction under the leadership of led by Executive Chef Michael Harrison whose resume boasts stints at Attica and Syracuse. The influences are readily apparent from the menu which has taken a decidedly more casual approach to dining, showcasing innovative modern Australian cuisine designed for sharing.

To complement the offerings, the wine list is substantial, boasting a curated wine collection spanning a mixture of old and new world wines.

We began with a few small plates. The starter of blue eye travella tartare was a stunning start - complex flavours interwoven with precise, expertly combined textures.

Umami reigns supreme with the beautiful dish of roasted broccoli, truffled pecorino and pumpkin hummus -  Whilst entirely vegetarian, it was incredibly memorable for its beautiful flavour combinations.

For mains the Smoked duck tasted as beautiful as it looked. Perfectly cooked duck was served alongside an interesting combination of berries, radicchio and truffle hazelnut vinaigrette

When it comes to dessert, do yourself a favour and order the Leatherwood honey parfait, soft chocolate and pedro ximinez prunes. Simply stunning.

Harrison has crafted a thoroughly modern menu in a beautifully historic setting. We were surprised and delighted by the new direction. Highly recommended.

Location: 527 Church St Richmond

Phone: 03 9428 7898

Link: http://www.churchstenoteca.com.au/

Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean, European, Wine Bar