gg is one of those places you don’t want to tell people because you want to keep it for yourself. A hidden gem in East Melbourne, gg has flown under the radar since its opening but that hasn’t meant that the restaurant isn’t busy. It means that those in the know, and locals, have been enjoying the fabulous food whilst keeping this fantastic restaurant a secret. I guess I’m spoiling their party a bit, but good food is to be shared and knowing a place like gg exists in Melbourne and not telling people would be sacrilege for someone like me who is out and about trying to find the best places in Melbourne.
Located on Clarendon Street in East Melbourne, gg is conspicuously located on the ground floor of an apartment complex that overlooks the Fitzroy Gardens. The restaurant is spacious and modern, featuring various areas for dining, drinking, functions and even a wine store!
On the night of our visit (a Tuesday!) the restaurant was busy, hustling and bustling with diners. The menu is inspired by European flavours designed for sharing, although I have to say, I would have selfishly eaten some of the share plates all by myself! Ranging from wood fire pizzas to slow roasted meats on a rotisserie to pasta, salads, seafood and other dishes, there is something for everyone at gg. The restaurant is most renowned for their rotisserie and this is what we sampled on our visit.
We started off with the Fishy Plate entree with hervey bay scallop, crunchy prawn and soy glazed eel. The dish was perfectly cooked and flavoursome, light enough for an entree before the rotisserie main course.
We sampled three meats from the rotisserie, a Pork belly with green apple, chive and ginger salad, Duck with cinnamon and honey glaze, sweet potato puree and Lamb Shoulder, dill and lemon yoghurt. There is something special about eating meats cooked on a rotisserie. Slow cooked until the meats are tender and that taste you get when meat is cooked over a fire, the dishes were amazing.
The pork belly was cooked so that it was soft and tender, with an amazing crackling that was super crunchy. The sweetness of the apple and chive with the freshness of the ginger worked really well with the richness of the pork and crackling.
The lamb was succulent and the surprising addition of dill to the dish added an element of freshness along with the lemon yoghurt.
The final dish of the night was Duck with cinnamon and honey glaze, sweet potato puree which was just a magical dish. Sweetness and spices always work well with duck and I think the glaze gave it a layer of richness that was just really enjoyable.
The side dishes of Pommes Parisienne, Honey Glazed carrots and Butter Leaf salad were the perfect accompaniment to the dishes.
Suffice to say after all these wonderful rotisserie dishes, we were pretty stuffed. But I do have a soft spot for Creme Brûlée and gg have the most amazing Creme Brûlée with cinnamon ice cream, oat crumble and compressed apple.
gg is definitely a hidden gem in East Melbourne and if you’re looking for something new to try that is on the cusp of the city, then this is the place to head to. With easy access via tram or a short walk from Spring Street, gg is a fantastic place to try.
gg restaurant
150 Clarendon Street, East Melbourne
(03) 8415 0411
Ooooh, this one has been our little hidden spot for years. They also do a great iced chocolate