Ripponlea Food and Wine is a local favourite that’s still going strong. The key-shaped dining room creates a sense of privacy no matter which table you’re seated at. The Eggplant Chips with miso and sesame crumb is one of the many great starters available. The burnt onion aioli is well-rounded and a perfect accompaniment for the chips. Cheese lovers will not be disappointed with the Jamon Croquettes and their intense cheesey flavour. The filling oozes out upon cutting, adding to the enticement. For something lighter, the Salmon Tartare with cucumber, avocado, dill, chives and citrus dressing will do quite nicely. There’s a good balance of umami and acidity here.

For mains you can’t go too wrong with the Crab Alla Oglio Spaghetti with chilli, garlic and white wine. The pan-fried Brussels Sprouts are an excellent side to go with it.

Their dessert selection includes the Golden Gaytime – a house-made honey waffle cone with chocolate mousse, honeycomb and peanut crumble, peanut praline, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. The Chocolate Peanut Butter Bomb is a rich concoction of dark chocolate, peanut butter semifreddo, salted caramel and hazelnut crumble and milk chocolate sauce. Taste carefully, and you might feel a hint of chilli running through.

Ripponlea Food & Wine also do Bottomless Brunch Saturdays where you get unlimited prosecco for $25 from 11-4pm

Disclaimer: I was invited to Ripponlea Food and Wine as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time.

Ripponlea Food and Wine
15 Glen Eira Rd
Ripponlea, VIC, 3185
ripponleafoodandwine.com.au
(03) 8804 1313