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Amazon State

329 Burwood Road, Hawthorn 

As you walk into Amazon State,  you pass their floor to ceiling wine cellar, past the steaks dry ageing and find yourself in their restaurant which is only one of four levels they have. The others are event, private dining and function spaces. When we arrived there were only two other tables there – one young couple in a suit and a floor length gown and another a group of friends towards the entrance. We were sat up at a booth both facing the restaurant (so no one had to have the wall facing position) and got to people watch. Amazon State is a slightly higher price point so you watch as special occasions; birthdays, anniversaries, foodie friend catch ups filtered through. Don’t spite me down straight away though – I’ve got some hacks on how to get the Amazon State experience for less. 

With that said, Amazon State in Hawthorn is one of those spots where the atmosphere, the food, and the wine all make you feel like you’re getting a bit of a treat. Set in a heritage-listed 1903 building on Burwood Road, this modern Italian restaurant manages to mix heritage charm with sleek design, offering a vibe that feels both cozy and sophisticated. Our waitress was super helpful, pointing out the ‘best’ dishes in every category.

We kicked things off with a couple of wines: the William Downie Pinot Noir ($15) and the Domaine de Bel-Air Gamay($20), both great options to set the tone for the meal ahead. The Pinot was smooth and approachable, while the Gamay brought a little more complexity, with subtle fruity notes. They showed a bit of their luxury hospitality here when they brought the Gamay out in a mini carafe and poured it into our glass like that, for aeration- oh la la. 

The Mushroom & Truffle Arancini was a winner – crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, with that unmistakable truffle aroma that gets your tastebuds all excited. These are the kind of arancini that make you rethink everything you thought you knew about this classic Italian snack. I’d been told I had to try their house made focaccia so the natural pairing is the Burrata which was just as indulgent- creamy, fresh, and paired beautifully with the smoky wood-fire roasted capsicum salsa, almonds, and balsamic. We also tried the King Fish Crudo ($26) as a lighter dish- fresh, zingy, and refreshing with the black bean dressing, spring onion, and coriander.

Next, we dove into a couple of mains: the Tagliolini Al Nero ‘Crab & Scallop’, which was a mix of silky, jet-black pasta and a perfect combination of crab, scallops, and crayfish salsa. The garlic and chili balanced the seafood’s sweetness. But the hero of the night was the Mayura Station Eye Fillet, cooked medium rare, and was an absolute showstopper. This isn’t just any steak- Mayura Station Wagyu is known for its extraordinary marbling, and the Josper grill added a level of smokiness that complemented the meat’s richness perfectly. It’s served with bone marrow on the side for that elevation, flavour and the buzz word of the morning – indulgence. Add a little peppercorn sauce and a side of tenderstem broccolini, and you’ve got a plate that feels indulgent but balanced.

For dessert, we couldn’t resist the Basque Cheesecake. Served straight out of the oven still in a mini cast iron skillet – rich, tangy, and paired with raspberry compote and cream fraiche. The hazelnuts added the perfect crunch, and with a 15-minute cooking time, it’s clear the kitchen’s putting in the extra effort.

Amazon State definitely sits at a higher price point, but they offer some savvy meal deals that let you enjoy their exceptional food without the splurge. Here’s the ultimate hack so you can have that special night, try their food but not completely break the bank in the middle of a cost of living crisis. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, you can score great value with Pasta Night and Steak Night, where you get quality dishes like handmade pastas and premium dry-aged steaks starting from just $35 – still delicious but much more wallet-friendly than their regular menu prices. I think the best way to try, though, is their $35 express lunch on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  They have three tiers: Express — $35pp Main + Drink, Sojourn — $45pp. Entree + Main + Drink, Perennial — $55pp Entree + Main + Dessert + Drink. While it’s definitely not the cheapest option in town, these deals make it easier to dive into the full Amazon State experience without breaking the bank.

Amazon State is purposely a place that makes you feel like you’re treating yourself, but in a way that still feels comfortable and unpretentious. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area and looking for something a little special.