QUEENSLAND
STATE WINNER
Essa
AUSTRALIAN
181 Robertson St, Fortitude Valley
(07) 3177 1011
Chefs Phil Marchant & Fin Burgess
Price guide $$
Bookings Essential
Wheelchair access Yes
Open Lunch Fri-Sun; Dinner Tue-Sat
How does a venue attain landmark status in a year? Score a coveted seat at Essa’s chef’s bench and you’ll gain an insight. The tight-knit kitchen team is surgically focused, sending out dishes kissed by fire in subtle but expressive ways. Scorched sourdough adds bite to an ’nduja entrée that resembles tartare, the spice of chilli oil tamed by river-mint honey. House-made XO sauce and a garlic emulsion elevate slices of ripe beefsteak tomato layered with different types of basil. Brown butter and lemon-myrtle buds make for a neat twist on meunière sauce, served over grilled John Dory fillets and amplified by finger lime and jalapeño. Savvy, black-clad waitstaff, meanwhile, present bottles of by-the-glass pours from the grown-up wine list and ensure proceedings stay pacy. Dessert – mango sorbet, passionfruit and a rubble of caramelised white chocolate – is a reminder that good things often come in chic, understated packages.
Agnes
AUSTRALIAN
22 Agnes St, Fortitude Valley
(07) 3067 9087
Chefs Ben Williamson & Alex Gregg
