Marion

Situated next to Cutler & Co on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, Andrew McConnell’s more relaxed wine bar Marion serves up an exquisite menu with the same exceptional service you’d expect from next door.

Marion’s complimentary warm flat bread will set the scene (and your tastebuds) for the delicious meal you’ll have ahead – you’ll be forgiven if you ask for a further serve.

The prawn and horseradish roll makes Andrew McConnell’s famous lobster roll seem like yesterday’s news, while the tomatoes with seaweed will make you question how a simple dish can manage to contain so many flavours. Both dishes are perfect pre-cursors to the agnolotti with goats cheese which will make even the biggest carnivores on your table drool.

Marion’s desert is worth saving room for, with the strawberries & cream being a textual delight with its sweet strawberries, crunchy meringue and rich cream to tie the dish together.

While the mark up on some of the wines is on the cheeky side, being a wine bar, the wine list is expectantly noteworthy, with the staff being completely across Marion’s offering.

Marion is the epitome of Melbourne’s first class foodie scene – which is what makes it the New Fave.

Food: 5/5

Venue: 4.5/5

Service: 4.5/5

Value for money: 4/5

Total: 18/20

Verdict: The New Fave – get around to trying it soon