Best New Restaurant for a Business Lunch or Dinner
The universals remain the same: discretely spaced tables, intuitive waitstaff and topnotch food and drink. But in 2019, the definition of a restaurant perfectly suited to the corporate lunch or dinner has shifted. Cookie-cutter sameness is out. Now it’s all about unique and considered interiors, a display of artworks or an unapologetically singular approach. These six establishments prove business dining is so much more than the sum of its parts.
Matilda, Melbourne matilda159.com
Inside South Yarra’s United Places hotel, the latest restaurant from Scott Pickett is all clubroom charm and fire-driven food. If a mod-Oz spin on premium produce is your thing, look no further. The chef also champions native ingredients.
The look and feel Decked out in tan leather, honey-hued wood and ochre perforated metal, Matilda channels the country’s desert heart. Elegant and intimate, it’s a room in which to linger.
The crowd Urban sophisticates and well-heeled travellers.
The wow factor Shareable dishes, including a whole Macedon smoked duck roasted to golden perfection.
Greca, Brisbane greca.com.au
Chef Jonathan Barthelmess has transplanted the magic of Sydney’s Apollo to Brisbane’s happening new Howard Smith Wharves precinct. The modern Greek taverna boasts stylish interiors, an unbeatable location and a convivial vibe. The look and feel Light, bright and airy, as befitting its waterside address, Greca is a meticulously detailed two-level diner wrapped around an open kitchen with a sizzling charcoal grill.
The crowd Style rules this roost. The wow factor Incredible views of the Brisbane River, Story Bridge and the city.
Garum, Perth garum.com.au
Leading Melbourne chef Guy Grossi has landed in Perth with a flourish of classic Italian style. Housed in Hibernian Hall at The Westin Hotel in the CBD, Garum’s high-end fit-out is matched by a producedriven, Roman-inspired menu.
The look and feel It’s modern grandeur with a mix of exposed bricks, black bentwood chairs and banquette seating that make the most of the property’s generous proportions. The open kitchen adds atmospheric buzz.
The crowd This is a true corporate clubhouse.
The wow factor The heritage setting is a show stopper.
Donna Chang, Brisbane donnachang.com.au
Pitch-perfect modern Chinese fare in a grand former bank with lavish new interiors – little wonder Donna Chang has the northern capital buzzing. A tank of live seafood and, on occasion, whole suckling pigs displayed behind glass promise a memorable feast, while cleverly partitioned tables maintain privacy. The look and feel Lofty ceilings, wooden wainscoting and huge picture windows whisk diners back to an era when dining was an art form.
The crowd Brisbane’s glamour set. The wow factor Semicircular booth seating for intimate groups.
Bistecca, Sydney bistecca.com.au
This hyper-specialist steak joint celebrates bistecca alla Fiorentina – Tuscan-style T-bone cooked over coals and served with a host of sides. Its singular approach is the perfect conversation starter, making it the ideal place to break the ice while breaking bread. The look and feel The moody-hued basement in central Sydney is all about the mighty fire-burning hearth. All in all, it’s as Italian as the impressive wine list.
The crowd Cool creatives, both corporate and civilian.
The wow factor The wine list is curated, with 300-plus Italian drops and varietals.
Di Stasio Città, Melbourne distasio.com.au
Rinaldo Di Stasio opened his eponymous restaurant in St Kilda three decades ago. Now, his Di Stasio Città (“city”) has taken up residence at the business-friendly top end of town. Expect the same sophisticated Italian fare delivered with hallmark flair.
The look and feel The spare interior is a restaurant as gallery with hits of colour (red leather chairs, the speckled terrazzo floor) and video artworks by notables Reko Rennie and Shaun Gladwell.
The crowd Expect a who’s who of Melbourne public life.
The wow factor Its intuitive service is the best around.