Amarok Bar and Restaurant, Southbank (by invitation) by Bureaucrat

With the dark, chilly nights, winter is a great time to check out Amarok Bar and Restaurant, which is located in Southgate.  Last Friday, we were invited to Amarok’s launch, which was a great opportunity to try out their North American and Canadian inspired menu.

Amarok is owned by the same people who own Ice Bar Melbourne (which is adjacent to each other), and is kitted out like a swish ski cabin – with a fireplace, a deer head, warm wooden furniture and leather seats.  

The name Amarok comes from an Inuit mythological creature, described as a “gigantic wolf”, whose purpose is to “hunt down and devour anyone foolish enough to hunt alone at night”.  And boy, does Amarok know how to hunt, and it’ll come to you all as no surprise that I can devour (almost!) anything that’s served to me!

For the launch, we got to try the canapé versions of the many dishes on offer.  One of our favourites for the night was the fried bread, corn flat bread w cured meats and cheese platter.  The fried bread and corn bread were slightly chewy and not at all oily and were the perfect base for the quality cured meats and cheese.  Full of carbs and protein – it’s perfect for nibbling with a glass of wine on a cold night.

Seared tuna

I was really impressed with the prawns w chilli seaweed and fried leek.  Fresh sweet prawns with a nice balance of creamy mayo and the aromatic and crispy seaweed and leek on top.

Salmon cured w lime, coconut cream w pomegranate

The roast pork w apple slaw and crackling was also a standout – melt-in-your mouth pork.  It was utterly moreish and I loved how it was so soft and tender and full of pork flavour.

Mushroom and goats' cheese arancini

We also had these plump oysters w beetroot dressing; vegetarian fritters; salt and wood peppered calamari w wild lime and chilli mayo; a deeply tomatoey gazpacho, served warm; beef tartare; and these little fried oblongs that had a truffle flavour to them.  

A magical view of the Yarra River from Amarok

Verdict

Food – 9*

Ambience – 8

Service – 10*

Price – 8.5*

*Scores are notional as we were guests of Amarok and this was a launch event.

Overall

I’m loving the food and the whole “hunter” aspect to Amarok.  The service is friendly and prompt (and it doesn’t hurt that there’s plenty of eye candy for everyone!).  I love the fact that the waiters wear flannelette-style uniforms with leather aprons.

I’m definitely coming back to Amarok to order my favourite dishes of the night (the fried bread, prawns and roast pork) and I’ll be keen to check out their desserts!

Address

Amarok Bar and Restaurant

Mid Level

3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank

Telephone: 9663 1877