Fortitude Valley Dining
Ember & Ash: Wood-Fired Date Night Delights in Fortitude Valley
Ember & Ash delivers a thoughtful, ambient Fortitude Valley date night experience anchored by bold wood-fired plates, memorable drinks, and a genuinely distinctive dessert program.
A blue flame licking at a smoke dome over a golden cocktail sets the tone at Ember & Ash right from the start. Stepping inside the Fortitude Valley venue, the dining room glows in warm red light, framing dark timber tables set with house-made bread and dark-garnished whipped butter.
We sat down for the $99 per person chef's tasting menu, a progression built around bold wood-fired touches and refined flavor contrasts. It sets an easy date-night rhythm, allowing each dish space to make an impression.
Is Ember & Ash worth adding to your itinerary?
We could not resist turning the sweet finish into a double dessert, adding an extra strawberries and cream dish alongside the menu's white chocolate course. With its toasted marshmallow, burnt vanilla crémeux, and light meringue, the strawberries and cream felt delightfully reminiscent of an elevated s'mores.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Menu highlights
Highlights from Zen’s visit.
At a glance: what we ordered
- Chef's curated tasting menu ($99 per person)
- House-made bread & whipped spiced butter
- Rock oysters with blackberry mignonette
- Beef tartare
- Crab & prawn ravioli
- Blistered shishito peppers
- Slow roasted pork neck
- Truffle mashed potato
- Char grilled duck breast with smoked cherry & bone marrow jus
- White chocolate & koji dessert
- Strawberries & cream with burnt vanilla crémeux, meringue and toasted marshmallow
Wood-Fired Plates and Smoky Touches
The savory courses open with rock oysters dressed in dark blackberry mignonette, providing a cold, bright contrast before moving into richer plates. Rich beef tartare follows, paired with crispy round crackers that give each mouthful a satisfying crunch.
The kitchen then presents square crab and prawn ravioli coated in a bright green herb cream sauce, alongside blistered shishito peppers topped with ginger and fresh herbs. The main savory spread features slow-roasted pork neck with whipped truffle mashed potato, supplemented by char-grilled duck breast in a smoked cherry and bone marrow jus.
Saving Room for a Double Dessert
We could not resist turning the sweet finish into a double dessert, adding an extra strawberries and cream dish alongside the menu's white chocolate course. With its toasted marshmallow, burnt vanilla crémeux, and light meringue, the strawberries and cream felt delightfully reminiscent of an elevated s'mores.
The ultimate standout of the night was hands down the white chocolate and koji dessert. The blend of caramelised white chocolate, lemon myrtle crémeux, and koji caramel achieved a subtle, complex balance that lingers well after the final spoonful.
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ember & Ash located?
Ember & Ash is located in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
How much is the curated tasting menu at Ember & Ash?
The chef's curated tasting menu is priced at $99 per person.
KEEP EXPLORING
More places and guides connected to this visit
Zen visited in May 2026. Menus, ratings, prices and opening hours can change, so check directly with the venue before you go.
It was a pleasure to be invited to experience Ember & Ash but all opinions shared are my own. Gifted/paid collaboration – all opinions are my own.