New in town
Akash Arora serves up Australia’s hottest new restaurants.
Brisbane, Qld MR PERCIVAL’S
Damien Styles, the former chef at Gold Coast hatted restaurant The Fish House, is behind the light-food menu at this new drinking and dining spot. Expect lobster rolls and deep-fried zucchini flowers. An extensive menu with 17 cocktails and 50 wines – focusing on aromatic whites and rosés – plus spritzes, beers and ciders. An octagon-shaped bar is at the centre of the indoor space, while outside, salmon-pink umbrellas set the chilled vibe. The brand-new Howard Smith Wharves precinct, about 10 minutes’ walk from the CBD. 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane mrpercivals.com.au Open seven days for lunch and dinner
Melbourne, Vic AGOSTINO & CELLAR BAR
Legendary Lygon Street establishment King & Godfree has reopened with a number of drinking and eating dens within its multi-storey premises. Our pick is the Agostino & Cellar Bar, where you can enjoy classic Italian dishes such as gnocchi gorgonzola and veal cotoletta. A solid list of Australian and Italian wines, plus cocktails, aperitifs and beers. A mix of rich colours, materials and textures brings to mind the trattorias of Italy. In the heart of the Lygon Street precinct, about 10 minutes’ drive from the CBD. 293-297 Lygon Street, Carlton kingandgodfree.com Open seven days for lunch and dinner
Southern Highlands, NSW BARN
A sibling of the renowned Biota restaurant, Barn is a hyperlocal eatery with farm-stay accommodation. Open for just two dinner services per month, the kitchen is helmed by Ryan Kovac, whose menu relies solely on the produce of the day – be it meat, honey or yabbies. Ari’s Natural Wine Co. has curated a succinct wine list from local producers such as Cherry Tree Hill, Tertini and Nick Spencer. Housed in a barn, the dining room features a single, long rustic timber table, seating up to 60 diners. Set on 40 hectares of lush pasture, Barn is 25 minutes south of Bowral. Kangaloon Road, East Kangaloon barnbybiota.com Two dinner services per month (11 and 25 January)
Sydney, NSW FLYING FISH
After 14 years at its Jones Bay Wharf address, one of Sydney’s best seafood restaurants is moving to The Star. Peter Robertson – who earned his stripes at The Fat Duck and Rockpool – will be in charge of the kitchen, with offerings like black pepper mud crab. Premium champagnes, an extensive Australian wine list (with an emphasis on sparklings) and playful cocktails comprise the stellar beverage menu. The theatrical interiors take their cues from seafood – carpets with coastline prints and caviar-inspired pendants. On the site of now-closed Balla restaurant, at The Star complex in Pyrmont. 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont star.com.au Open seven days for lunch and dinner