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When it comes to meat, there can be no doubt that beef is king. Whether cooked low and slow for achingly tender morsels that fall off the bone with the merest of encouragement or made into pungent smoky barbecue full of burnt ends and charred flavor, carnivores across the world agree that though lamb, pork and even the occasional tranche of crocodile may come in and out of fashion, beef is always in style. And the best way to savor the king of meats and raise the flesh of the humble heifer to meaty perfection is steak.
Australia, and Melbourne in particular, has a special affinity and understanding for preparing a T-bone, sirloin or fillet – maybe it’s the culture for BBQ on the golden beaches of the City by the Bay or just an innate understanding of the art of cow cookery. Whatever the reason, Melbourne has an almost indecent number of steakhouses, which has grown significantly in the last couple of years. To help guide you find the very best, Coconuts presents its run down of its favorite Melbourne meat joints.
Pure South
Overseen by Michelin-starred Chef David Hall, this contemporary restaurant on Melbourne’s Southbank is the epitome of understated cool. With a menu built around the finest cuts of beef imported directly from Tasmania – home to some of the planet’s finest beef herds – this is a location to be seen at, as well dine in. Come for sensational steak and stay for the glamor.
Mr Jennings
Chef Ryan Flaherty has taken what he learnt at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck in Bray and created an experimental eatery, where a portion of smoked eel parfait or frozen kangaroo sits comfortably alongside handsome sirloin served sliced on an angle and drizzled with pan juices beside a bowl of hand-cut chips to create an exquisite take on a classic.
Entrecote
Taking its name from the legendary “one-dish” restaurant in Paris, Entrecote is a hotspot for the hipsters and foodies of Melbourne’s inner city suburb of South Yarra. Steak Frites is number one on the menu, and the chunky slabs of pasture-fed Black Angus steak enhanced by a delicate tarragon sauce, cooked exactly as you like, ensured the success of this super chic location.
Steak Ministry
Chef Chris Wade is a man on a mission to bring high-class steak to suburban Melbourne, with the introduction of Steak Ministry in 2014. With an enviable reputation as a steak master with an intricate knowledge of all things beefy, he uses the informal and laidback vibe of the South Yarra steakhouse to showcase Australia’s finest cuts of grass-fed, grain-fed and Wagyu beef served simply with onion jam, roasted tomato and a choice of miso, wasabi, or smoked garlic butters. Filled to capacity every night since its launch, Steak Ministry is considered one of the best restaurants in town.
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