With an open plan design, Ate One Ate boasts a beautifully set out dining room that encompasses a space to suit the needs of any of its guests, from a separate dining room for that special occasion to the terrace like garden bathed in natural light.
There is something to be said for the 180-seat establishment not wanting to squeeze a few extra seats in and rather having a little space to move. Giving its diners that little space can make all the difference and Ate One Ate has done it with ease and refinement.
From the moment we walked in, and were greeted with a smile it set the tone for the evening and with a friendly and attentive staff, if felt as if we were the only people at Ate One Ate.
Once settled, we were told of the specials of the day, and it was at this point our culinary journey began.
Starting with the special of Chicken and Chorizo Croquettes, which was quickly followed with Pan-Fried Veal Stuffed Olives and to complete the course and our indulgence was a Pan-Fried Scallop with Morcilla and Pumpkin Puree.
With a good start to the evening, the second course was truly where the kitchen came to life. Presented with a Mushroom Risotto of Vialone Nano Rice, Wild Mushrooms and Parmigiano-Reggiano and a Roasted Saltgrass Lamb Rack served with Confit Garlic, Potatoes and Persillade Crust. All accompanied by a side of escalivada, char-grill roasted vegetables with parsley olive oil. To say these three dishes were delicious would be to understate the effortless ease in which the dishes intertwined to create a relative explosion of flavours. Paired with a bottle of Malbec, the meal was set.
But no meal is ever really complete without a touch of something sweet, and the warm chocolate fondant with fig and house made marshmallow was the perfect end to a perfect meal.
Chef Marc Brown has set a standard for Ate One Ate that in our opinion can only get better as they find their feet and set roots into the rich tapestry that is Hawthorn.