Essa Restaurant

What is it? Hidden behind brass doors is this sultry diner in the James Street precinct of Fortitude Valley. Celebrating the best of local and seasonal produce, executive chef Phil Marchant showcases all things raw, pickled, smoked and grilled. Why go? Opened in 2021, Essa ’s has a green-marble enclosure for the bar and an open kitchen. Inside, it's all about honouring seasonal ingredients. Through classic technique, the chefs attempt to make every mouthful a revelry of nature’s best. Whether you’re seated front row to their custom-built woodfire grill or in the rear nook of this dim-lit venue, expect to be wowed by rotating plates that may include squid ink and truffle salami and wood-fired Moreton Bay bugs dressed with bay leaf butter and sea herbs. These kinds of flavour combinations are tricky to execute, but the Essa crew somehow manage to pull it all off. Time Out tip: If you’re stuck on what to order, never fear, leave it to the experts. $128 delivers a tasting menu that's fi...