RESTAURANT NEWS
THE GOLD COAST Given Alex Munoz Labart’s credentials from his time at Sydney’s Monopole and Cirrus, it’s no surprise to learn that the chef ’s first solo venture, Restaurant Labart, in Burleigh Heads, showcases a tight list of dishes to enjoy with a drink, and doesn’t shy away from seafood. Expect food of the order of local baby octopus with red peppers and smoked-garlic sauce, calamari with vadouvanroasted cauliflower and ink sauce, and a wine list that leans natural and interesting.
BYRON BAY Chef Evan White, an alumnus of Chingón and Red Hook, has teamed up with the owners of Barrio and Harvest to bring his version of Mexican to the Northern Rivers region at
Chupacabra. Dishes draw inspiration from the coastline and nearby farms (including Picone Exotics, which supplies the guava, cactus and jewel corn). There are mezcal Negronis on tap, tequila aplenty and even the coffee is Mexican.
MELBOURNE Chef Julian Hills (Paringa Estate) is opening Navi (meaning “local” in Cherokee) in Yarraville. Beers, such as Spotswood’s Two Birds, are from nearby, as are the ingredients. And, in an act of true dedication to the cause, Hills even makes the plates himself.
PERTH Guy Grossi channels Roman tradition at Garum, his new restaurant at The Westin Perth – even the sausages and bread are made the (very) traditional way. It’s the Grossi Florentino chef ’s first venture outside of Melbourne and he’s serving takes on classics from carbonara to Amatriciana and cacio e pepe. The wine list traverses both Rome and WA.
TOKYO In January 2015, Noma launched its first international pop-up at Tokyo’s Mandarin Oriental. It wound up five weeks later, but Thomas Frebel, head of Noma’s R&D team, wasn’t done. He’s launched Inua, and in true Noma style is keeping it local, working with Okinawan bananas, octopus from Hokkaido, and maitake mushrooms that have a confectionery-like sweetness. Eve Yeung, who worked at Noma (and more recently at Sydney’s Mr Wong) joins him in the kitchen.
BANGKOK David Thompson has left, and Pim Techamuanvivit (who also runs Kin Khao in San Francisco) is now in charge at Nahm. Word on the street is that Thompson will launch a new restaurant in town, backed by a rival luxury hotel group.