Emilia reviews: San Telmo — ‘a whole experience’

In honour of Argentina qualifying for the World Cup final, I decided to check out the Argentinian offering in Melbourne, but there’s something I know much better than soccer — it’s food. 

The average Argentinian puts away an estimated 58 kilograms of meat every year. Sounds unbelievable, but as soon as I entered and saw the open flame grill as well as the open kitchen at San Telmo I knew how easily that would be achieved if I was eating Argentinian all year round!

As you walk through the exciting world that San Telmo creates you can’t help but feel transported. The decor mirrored the untenable Lionel Messi — the careful attention to detail in every corner of the restaurant, extremely dynamic with a huge amount of flare. 

The food continued to tell the story, the menu was everything the Argentinian team pulled out on Wednesday. Big personality, classy, rich in talent and flavour and ultra competitive.

We went big on the starters to try and give a range of different foods a try; empanada, ceviche, provoleta (that’s pan-fried provolone cheese, red chimichurri), sardinas (Grilled Port Lincoln sardines, salsa verde & preserved lemon) and I had to try the chorizo. 

I’m not generally the biggest fan of sardines but these ones won me over; not too salty and full of flavour. The provoleta is a must try if you’re a cheese lover, the empanada and the charcoaled chorizo was reliable and homey and the coconut tiger’s milk in the ceviche ensured it was balanced and creamy. The many entree options channelled Argentine goalkeeper, Martinez — outgoing, big character and vivacious. It kept you guessing yet every single dish was hugely toothsome and satisfying.

For mains we shared the eye fillet and 650g of grilled chicken with deep fried papas and salt baked beetroots as sides. The eye fillet was served essentially tagliata, sliced in large slices and perfectly pink. It had a crust to it and smokiness from the open grill. Chicken was so juicy, really nailed it. The potatoes are a no-brainer, you simply must. And I cannot go past beetroot on a menu, this one was served with pickled pears, stracciatella and a mint dressing. The perfect side to the flavourful meats, delicate but still exciting. 

There was an extensive wine list but I would highly recommend keeping it in the family and getting one of the Argentinian Malbec on the menu. The fabulous waiters will help you find one to match your meal and your mood. If wine isn’t your thing they also have a great range of cocktails with Argentinian twist; I recommend getting the passionfruit caipirinha.

San Telmo is a whole experience, they make sure your senses are delightfully assaulted from start to finish, the fabulous and knowledgeable staff guide you throughout. The price reflects this with mains ranging from $40 to over $100 and starters ranging from $7-$25. It’s one to keep for a special occasion or, like many diners that we saw, maybe one you swing for a work party or client lunch. 

Just like watching Argentina on Wednesday, even if you weren’t a fan at the start of the game, by the end you couldn’t help but root for them, it leaves you wanting more. The World Cup just gives you a wonderfully lavish reason to justify going, why not?

Vamos vamos Argentina.

San Telmo
14 Meyers Place
Melbourne 3000