RESTAURANT NEWS
THE LATEST FROM CHEFS AND RESTAURANTS AROUND AUSTRALIA
MELBOURNE + VICTORIA
New year, new adventures, and Attica Summer Camp is truly living this ethos. Ben Shewry’s ambitious new al fresco dining project is inspired by potluck dinners and the simple joy of cooking over a campfire, and will be heading to the Yarra Valley for a five-month residency.
Back in the big smoke, Gum has opened in Collingwood, delivering punters ’70s vibes, well-made cocktails and pies by Footscray’s Pie Thief. St Kilda’s Little Prince Wine has also opened, and is the final piece of the puzzle for the long-standing corner hotel. Pickett and Co’s latest site in Little Collins Street sees its first outpost in the top end of Melbourne’s CBD.
Housed in the historic Normanby Chambers building, Chancery Lane is a French-inspired bistro with a twist. The fit-out echoes a decadent bygone era, while the fare sees Pickett flex his French technique in a list of classic dishes with modern flair.
SYDNEY + NSW
Restaurateur Tonci Farac has never been one to do things by halves. The former Wildfire owner is the driving force behind Sydney’s grandest new dining room, Italian fine-diner Seta on Barrack St in the CBD. The custom fitout cost more than $5 million and the result is high-wattage glamour. Phase one is open now with a crudo bar and private lounge set to follow.
Bondi has welcomed Calita, a light and bright, pint-sized dining room devoted to seafood. It comes from the folks behind nearby Carbon and Taqiza, so you can expect well-made spicy Margaritas, alongside blue swimmer crab tostadas, market fish ceviche and crunchy school prawn tacos.
On the South Coast, The Growers is the new sprawling venue from the team behind Acre eateries and The Greens. Much like their other venues, they’ll be offering family-friendly fare, seafood from the region and locally inspired craft brews and cocktails.