Embla — Restaurant in Melbourne

Embla is an exceptional establishment that excels in every aspect, leaving visitors with an unforgettable experience. The location of Embla is simply perfect, nestled in a charming and vibrant neighbourhood. Its central position makes it easily accessible for everyone. When it comes to food, Embla truly takes the culinary experience to new heights. The menu showcases a diverse range of dishes, expertly crafted with the finest ingredients. From amazing appetisers to mouthwatering main courses, each plate is a work of art. The flavours are bold and innovative, and the presentation is immaculate. The staff at Embla deserves special recognition for their outstanding service. They are attentive, knowledgeable, and go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels welcomed and well-cared for. Whether you have dietary restrictions or specific preferences, they are more than happy to accommodate your needs, making your dining experience truly personalized. The atmosphere at Embla is captivating. The restaurant boasts an elegant and contemporary design, blending modern aesthetics with warm, inviting elements. The lighting is carefully chosen to create a cozy ambience, perfect for intimate gatherings or special occasions. The attention to detail in the decor is remarkable, adding to the overall charm of the place The surroundings are equally delightful. The restaurant is situated in a picturesque area, with stunning views of nature or cityscapes, depending on its location. Whether you're seated indoors or outdoors, you can enjoy the beauty of your surroundings, enhancing the overall dining experience. Parking is conveniently available near Embla, ensuring hassle-free access for patrons. The restaurant takes care of this aspect, allowing guests to focus solely on their dining experience. Considering the exceptional quality of food and service, the prices at Embla are fair and justified. While it may be considered a higher-end establishment, the value you receive is unquestionably worth every penny. The attention to detail, culinary expertise, and overall experience make it a worthwhile investment. When it comes to service, Embla truly sets the bar high. The staff is prompt, efficient, and always ready to assist. Whether it's taking orders, recommending dishes, or answering questions, their professionalism shines through. They strive to create a seamless and enjoyable dining experience for each guest, leaving no room for disappointment. The drinks at Embla are crafted with precision and creativity. The bar service is exceptional, offering an extensive selection of wines, cocktails, and other beverages. The mixologists are skilled in their craft and can create personalized concoctions to suit your taste. The drinks perfectly complement the food, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to your meal. The views from Embla is breathtaking. Whether it's a panoramic cityscape or a scenic natural vista, the restaurant's positioning allows guests to soak in the beauty of their surroundings. It's an ideal setting for a romantic dinner or a special celebration, with a stunning backdrop. Comfort is a top priority at Embla. The seating arrangements are designed to provide maximum comfort without compromising on style. The chairs and booths are plush and cozy, allowing you to relax and fully immerse yourself in the dining experience. The restaurant also pays attention to spacing, ensuring guests have ample privacy and room to move around. Tgus restaurant is a true gem in every sense. From the outstanding location and exquisite food to the impeccable staff, captivating atmosphere, and stunning views, every aspect of the experience is carefully crafted to create an unforgettable dining journey. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking a remarkable culinary adventure, Embla is the...

4.6. Embla is sensational.

Twosheds and friends dined here for lunch on a Thursday. In the 1990s and early 2000s, this place was a pretty good Italian pizza restaurant which we used to frequent. The premises have now moved up a serious notch. This is the type of place you walk into and feel immediately at home - dark wood interior with a lovely bar at the front and perfect lighting - I could have sat there all afternoon. It appeared as though that was exactly what a lot of people were doing! The staff are friendly, but the service is not obtrusive at all - and it is extremely efficient. I'd label the Embla food as modern Australian, French, Italian fusion, in a really good way.

We decided on the banquet, which did not include dessert. Beautiful bread arrived to start with a smoky, creamy butter. The friendly waiter advised me that the butter is smoked over oak wood chips in their own kitchen. It was amazing. We then started with blue eye trevalla carpaccio, followed by pickled cucumber sitting on a bed of dill feta, veal tartare with parsley and fresh peas and a chickpea pancake with globe artichoke topped with flat leaf parsley and parmesan (which Twosheds suspected to be Reggiano, the best of Italian parmesans). While all these dishes were fantastic, my highlight out of this super set of dishes was the chickpea pancake - gooey in middle and crisp on outside. It was a textural triumph.

Our main courses consisted of swordfish served with leeks, and half roasted chicken with a beautiful gravy and, as a side, asparagus sitting on a goats cheese sauce. The highlight here was the half roasted chicken. It was roasted to perfection, with crispy, flavoursome skin, and moist on the inside - the gravy a perfect accompaniment. One criticism here - the goats cheese was excellent, but the quite pungent nature of this particular goats cheese overpowered the delicate nature of the asparagus. The asparagus was also a little woody at the thick end - would have been nicer trimmed to spear only.

For dessert, we finished with coffee, alongside a chocolate and olive oil millefeuille and panna cotta with blueberries - two desserts shared between four of us. Both desserts were stunning. The standout was the beautiful panna cotta. Our lovely waitress advised us that the berries had been poached in their own syrup. The berries used to create the syrup were also presented with the poached items - dehydrated and raisin-like. The panna cotta had a beautiful sour finish on the palate - potentially made with sour cream - which finished off an amazing dessert. To boot, there was also crystallised elderflower incorporated in the panna cotta topping.

The only other criticism is possibly the wine list. While there were some beautiful wines on the list - which we drank (including a lovely Yarra Valley pinot noir) - we thought that the wine list could be expanded a little.

On the whole though, what a fabulous experience. I recommend giving...

Embla is another great find in the city, with amazing food, wonderful service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere to catch up with friends.

Staff greeted us warmly as soon as we stepped in and we were guided to our seats upstairs. At 6:30pm, Embla was still empty, and we were given the food menu with a list of single-glass wines. Another menu held a list of wine bottles and non-wine single serve alcohol, which was extensive. The servers were attentive and cheerful, and it was obvious they too were enjoying their evening. They also gave good suggestions on how many different dishes would be enough for 3 people, which was accurate (4 to 6!)

The interiors were warm and welcoming. There were dark wood tables and chairs, bare brick walls, and dim, yellow lightning. After about an hour, the seats started to fill up and the room filled with laughter and conversation. It does get dark at night, and I've noticed a few patrons using their phone torches to see the menu.

For drinks, we opted for a bottle of French rose, which was unfortunately served lukewarm. Everything else made up for that, though.

We ordered several things. To start, we had the cured snapper, the mussel toast, and the smoked duck liver parfait. They were all delicious, and the standout was the duck liver parfait, lightly rich with just the right amount of smoke. The fish was served first as it was very delicate and fresh. The mussel toast had an enjoyable char and was nicely chewy.

We also had spring leeks, chicken leg, and the Berkshire pork rack. All three worked amazingly well together. The spring leeks was delicious, covered in creamy goat's milk and crunchy pistachio; I could have gone for a second or even third order! The spinach malfetti served with the chicken leg helped to round out the dish with just the right amount of starch. The serving of pork was very generous and went well with the beans. Both the chicken and the pork were cooked to perfection!

We had a wonderful time catching up at Embla. The experience was near-perfect and we would definitely...