Cafe AMBA | South Yarra | A Chronicle of Gastronomy

19 May Cafe AMBA, South Yarra

Posted at 14:54h in Cafe, Cafe AMBA, Food, South Yarra by A Chronicle of Gastronomy 0 Comments

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.

Cafe AMBA - 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)

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.

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

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.