19 May Cafe AMBA, South Yarra

Cafe AMBA is a Chapel Street newbie, opening in January this year. The snazzy interior is full of exposed brick and pale timbers, and the cafe also boasts a courtyard area and upstairs function space.

Mork Hot Chocolate – Original Dark 70% ($4)

Aeropress Small Batch ($6) – Gigante, Guila – Colombia from Fernando Wisaquillo

Hot drinks are made using Mork Chocolate, Seven Seeds, Small Batch Coffee and Prana Chai. We try a delicious Mork dark hot chocolate, and an Aeropress coffee from Small Batch.

Green Risotto with Rockling Fillet – Slow cooked Arborio rice with onion, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, peas in basil pesto sauce finished with grill Rockling fillet ($21.50)

Tiwa, originally from Thailand, has 15 years of experience in the kitchen and is now head chef at AMBA. The new Winter Menu has just been launched, but our eyes are also drawn to one of the specials. Green Risotto with Rockling Fillet adopts its colour from a basil pesto, whilst broccoli, asparagus, spinach, and peas contribute further to the theme. A generous amount of perfectly cooked grilled rockling sit atop the Aborio rice, and the flavour-packed risotto is moreish.

Eggs Piperade – Scrambled eggs with red pepper, chive, tomato & chilli ($14)

Opposing the green is the Eggs Piperade, a scrambled egg number made with red capsicum, tomato and chilli. The eggs are moist and done well, though it could do with a tad more salt.

Supreme Chicken Burger – Toasted brioche, marinated chicken breast strip, baby cos lettuce, tomato, smashed avocado & chipotle aioli served with chips & tomato sauce ($16)

The Supreme Chicken Burger is definitely on the bigger side of the scale. Multiple marinated chicken breast strips take prime position against the baby cos lettuce, tomato and smashed avocado within the toasted brioche bun. It’s spiced up with some chipotle aioli, and served with fat, fluffy chips and tomato sauce on the side. We’re relieved to find the chicken is not overdone, and the crispy chips go down a treat. It’s a great pick for the hungry that also didn’t leave us feeling greasy inside.

Cafe AMBA is conveniently located just across the road from the Jam Factory, making it easy to pop by whilst in the middle of retail therapy.

Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to Cafe AMBA, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own and not influenced by them in any way

Cafe AMBA
497 Chapel St
South Yarra, VIC, 3141
(03) 9827 6747
cafeamba.com.au