Taming the coals at San Telmo
A taste of Argentina in a hidden Melbourne laneway.
San Telmo restaurant is a hidden gem of the Melbourne food scene and at the forefront of introducing outstanding Latin American food to the city since 2011.
I say hidden as they are situated in Myers Place, a small laneway off Collins Street and behind the Windsor Hotel. Like so many of the best things in life, it requires a little hunting to to find it.
When I was running food tours of Melbourne, San Telmo was the very first stop on one of our Saturday morning journeys, it was always such a pleasure introducing guests to this dining destination.
The food is consistently excellent (as you would expect on a destination for a food tour) but it also has the most atmospheric fit out which makes you feel like you have been taken to Argentina. Much of the decor was sourced in Buenos Aires and brought to Melbourne specifically for the restaurant.
The charcoal fuelled parrilla grill is at the heart of the kitchen and delivers grilled chorizo, steaks and spiced chicken all cooked to perfection. Grab a seat to the bar and watch the talented chefs at work as then masterfully cook up a storm and tame the glowing coals.
Also excellent are the empanadas and vegetable side dishes, in fact the beetroot and carrot side dishes are worth visiting for alone. Think salt baked beetroot, stracciatella and mint dressing or the classic chargrilled carrots with goats curd and hazelnut. Both are outstanding.
Latin cocktails such as café con pedro (their twist on an espresso martini), an excellent sangria and classic pisco sour make a great start to a meal here. There’s also an extensive list of beer and wine, many sourced in Argentina.
Oh and don’t miss the Argentina shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche, they make a perfect match with coffee and a great way to finish a meal here.
Do put at San Telmo restaurant on you must-eat-at list when coming to visit Melbourne.