Annam Restaurant and Bar

Jerry Mai’s much lauded new restaurant has just landed in the Melbourne CBD. The 100-seat venue will open its doors on October 2 and hopes to offer Melbournites an innovative new take on Vietnamese cuisine. Former refugee Jerry has drawn on her cultural and professional background for her new venue, producing a menu that blends both traditional and contemporary flavour combinations. It’s a concept reflected in the name – Annam was the name given to Vietnam during the French occupation. Jerry has also taken inspiration from her family dinner table for Annam’s array of dishes. Think tuna tataki with cumquat nuoc nam and crispy onion, and braised goat Somm La curry with pea eggplant, green papaya and roasted rice, or (Jerry’s personal favourite) the salted caramel fried ice-cream. Co-owner Rani Doyle has taken care of the elaborate drinks menu accompanying, forming a wine list heavy on gewürztraminers, pinot gris, gruner veltliners and local rieslings to offset the bold Vietnamese flavours of the meal. Plenty of natural wine and cocktail options will also be on offer. Annam’s interiors have been inspired by Vietnam’s glory age of the 1940s and 1950s. There are a handful of different seating options (from banquets to bar stools) in the space crafted by architect Emlyn Olaver. Of course it being Melbourne, the restaurant comes complete with eclectic touches. Namely rustic exposed walls adorned with a curated collection of reclaimed materials and neon signs.