Amaru (Armadale - Melbourne) 03/2017

Names are more than just designations. They often have meaning. They may be strong and give their possesor strength, or the converse. Wikipedia tells us that In the mythology of Andean civilizations of South America, the amaro, amaru (quechua) or katari (aymara) is a mythical serpent or dragon. In Inca mythology, the amaru is a huge double-headed serpent that dwells underground.

Kabalarian philosophy is more appealing. It attributes all sorts of characteristics to people as a result of their names, for example:
The name of Amaru gives you a very inquisitive, restless, seeking nature.
You feel impelled by intense desires that you cannot comprehend or satisfy.
You have had the desire to accomplish something outstanding and to do something very worthwhile for humanity, especially early in your life.
 You resent obstacles, delays, and restrictions.
This name gives you ambition, high ideals, and much creative ability, but the intense dynamic nature is too often spent in feelings and in moods, rather than in constructive action.
This name has given you an appreciation for refinement, and the better things in life such as art, music, and literature.
and a few other mostly nice things.
Anyway Amaru is a comfortable restaurant. Decor is pleasant 

with the soft lighting reflected off the ceiling. There is a bar opposite the kitchen with four seats referred to as the chef's table.

These seem more appropriate for Amaru though I doubt they played a part in the choice of the name. 
They have a degustation menu of five courses and two desserts preceded by some inventive amuse bouche.
Everything was unusual, even the pumpkin seed butter. (I think that's what it was.)

Activated Nuts and Seeds / Pickled Vegetables Emulsion

The emulsion disappeared very very quickly. It was delicious.
Onion /Garfish / Smoked Sheep's Yogurt.

Amaru's version of dumplings

Lightly Smoked Duck Ham

These were about a centimetre in diameter. They had the texture of bacon with the taste of duck.
Yellow Fin Tuna / Sweet Ginger / Trout Pearls / Cured Melon Juice

Otway Shitake / Green Onion Oil / Chawanmushi

Mud Crab / Native Cherry / Dessert Lime / Frozen Peanut

Everyone at the table especially liked this dish 
Smoked Prawn / Caramelized Yoghurt / Yeast Oil / Begonia Leaves

This was really fantastic, I've never had a better prepared prawn.
Dry Aged Kangaroo / Raw Liquorice / Blackberries

Dirty Potato

Jonella corn / Frozen Peach / Sunflower Seeds / Verbena
I seem to have missed this pic! Strawberries / Buckwheat / Buffalo Mozzarella / Olive Oil

Passionfruit

Digestive Biscuit

Grass Fed Beef Caramel

Beverages are fairly expensive. I had a sake which was served at room temperature in a wine glass.

It's very difficult to describe a meal like this. It's very unusual, the cooking is unique in terms of the combinations of ingredients and flavours. Presentation is also unusual, the crockery is mostly very plain and could be more appealing.
It suits the adventurous. It's unlikely that many people would like every dish, although I did enjoy nearly all of them. 
Score: 17/20