Essa Restaurant

Ever since Gauge opened its doors in South Brisbane back in 2015, Brisbanites have been talking about its black garlic bread, tasting menu and stripped back yet still luxe feel. Now, you can also turn your chatter to Essa Restaurant.

Somewhat of a newcomer to Robertson Street, the Fortitude Valley restaurant opened in 2021, under the lead of ex-Gauge chef Phil Marchant — who brought a strong focus on local produce and harvest-driven dishes to a striking split-level space just off James Street.

Essa sees Marchant take up head chef duties, while also co-owning the new eatery with entrepreneur Angela Sclavos. Marchant's aim: to highlight the work of the farmers, hunters and providores he's sourcing his ingredients from, to give classic techniques a modern twist and to give diners a multi-sensory experience.

On the menu (which changes regularly), that approach translates to dishes that endeavour to pair the familiar with the surprising, as well as a big focus on raw, pickled, smoked and wood-fired meals. So, you can expect dishes like pickled and fire-burnt asparagus, wood-fired mackerel, and wild venison tartare paired with toasted buckwheat and hibiscus.

Or, from the grill, organic pork chops come served on the bone, or there's the Tasmanian lamb rump with charred onion, stout and mustard. And, for dessert, seasonal sorbets and parsnip and white chocolate cream buns will tempt your tastebuds.

Essa also does set menus for $110 a head, which is a requirement if you're dining in a group of eight or more. Drinks-wise, wine and cocktails sit pride of place. Both lineups have been curated to pair well with the restaurant's dishes, with cocktails changing almost as regularly as the food menu.

Enjoying the surroundings is also part of the Essa experience, with the decor skewing industrial but relaxed. A brass mesh window sits at street level, exposed brickwork and steel alcoves are a feature, and seating includes leather lined banquettes. The dining space on the building's middle level features a bar decked out with green Verde Alpi stone, too, while the upstairs space uses a leafy garden as a background.