Academy Kitchen & Bar

Opening its doors in the heart of Richmond four weeks ago, Academy Kitchen & Bar is by no means the shy and self-conscious new kid on the block. Part of its charm is the cool, calm and collected vibe this establishment possesses, all thanks to one man: Will Manning. One of Melbourne’s most reputable chefs, Manning has carved a reputation for himself at Townhouse, The Botanical and Prospect Espresso.

Academy Kitchen & Bar is unsuspectingly charming, matched with a menu that aims to please everyone. Whether you are looking for a satisfying lunch between work meetings, a ‘pub meal’ for dinner or something a little fancier, Academy ticks these boxes. For brunch enthusiasts, let the weekend menu seduce you – but I digress.

Let’s take a look at the dinner menu while you relish with excitement and anticipation!

Coupled with a great selection of local wines and beer – such as Scorpo’s ‘Noirien’ from Mornington or the Clos Clare ‘Watervale’ Riesling from the Clare Valley in South Australia – the appetisers are the perfect start to an intimate meal or a discrete dish before a night out.

Standing out from the crowd is the crispy pigs ear and kohlrabi lettuce wraps, spiced with hot sauce. With each bite, you will fall in love with the freshness of the lettuce enveloping strips of the tasty meat.

If that does not satisfy you, Academy offers its own incarnation of duck parfait that will certainly impress. The duck and mountain pepper parfait is served with beetroot chutney, pickles and brioche. The pickles are tangy, the parfait is rich while the chutney added texture to the dish, leaving your tastebuds gasping for more; definitely a winning combination.

The 318 Cheeseburger has everyone talking. For those who are apprehensive towards navigating the menu, you can seek refuge in this beauty. The 318 is packed with three cheeses – Swiss cheese, smoked cheddar and the third remains a restaurant secret – and is finished with onions and ‘fancy sauce’, making each bite satisfying. Pair this with a beer (a Prickly Moses) and your night is sorted.

For those with a sweet tooth, the desserts are decadent and intricately designed – the chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream and peanuts and the strawberry shortcake sundae deserve honourable mentions. The passionfruit cheesecake is enchanting, its presentation impeccable: a coconut meringue top and gingersnap base make it memorable.

With impressive tunes, a fresh and cool vibe, Academy Kitchen & Bar is helping the Bridge Road restaurant strip blossom into a hotspot. Enjoy!

Academy Kitchen & Bar
318 Bridge Road, Richmond
Wednesday-Friday, 12pm-11pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9am-11pm
academykitchenandbar.com.au