After much anticipation, Paul Wilson’s place right next to Prahran Market is finally open. His ambitious Wilson & Market project began with the opening of Mr Wilson’s Tuck Shop, followed by the Lifestyle Cafe soon after, and the final piece of the puzzle is the Wilson & Market Bar & Brasserie.

The fit-out of Wilson & Market Brasserie is certainly luxe, but not stuffy. A rotisserie and seafood bar flank either side of the kitchen entrance, and inside the kitchen, the wood grill, rotisserie and smoker pump out delicious meat, seafood and vegetables. From what you might guess from its name, the focus at Wilson & Market is on fresh, seasonal produce, with a farm to table concept.

Dinner starts off with 28-hr fermented soir sourdough and the most delicious seaweed butter, followed by artisanal rock oysters with celeriac and horseradish mignonette. There are oysters from three different regions – Wonboyn Lake, Pambula Lake, Clyde River – and it’s interesting to taste the difference between them. We’re advised to start with the more delicately flavoured gems from Pambula Lake and Clyde River before finishing with ones sourced from Wonboyn Lake.

Next is the eye-catching smoked Petuna ocean trout. On the side is a devilled egg topped with a strong horseradish mayo and olive-flavoured crumb. Strongly pickled celery with dill creates some zing to the mouthfuls of tender fish and creamy egg.

We come to mains, and tonight it’s all about the pork: crunchy-skinned chestnut wood-roasted suckling pig with tangy tamarind sauce, and succulent stuffed porchetta with fennel and radicchio salad, pine nuts and mustard fruits. Sides include the rich Transition Farm heirloom pumpkin with olives, brown butter and sage, and charcoal potatoes coated with zesty black tahini.

For dessert we have the Warm Bramley Apple Pie, a perfectly suitable winter dessert, poured over with sweet creme anglaise and muscatel sauce, and paired with quite a distinctively savoury cheddar ice cream.

Wilson & Market has a commendable dedication to highlighting the wonderful produce of Victoria. It was a real treat to see how much respect Wilson has for produce, and the dishes he creates.

Disclaimer: I was invited to Wilson & Market Brasserie as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time

Wilson & Market Brasserie
163 Commercial Rd
Prahran, VIC, 3181
(03) 9804 7530
http://wilsonandmarket.com.au/luxe-brasserie/