6 Restaurants to Share Small Plates with Friends.

Small plates is a type of dining that became popular in the United States after 2000 and has gone on to take the culinary world by the whisk.

When you are out with friends enjoying Friday night drinks, most of us just want to graze on several different plates that tantalise taste buds and harmonise with our cocktails. Here are six venues that epitomise small-plate dining:

Discover a chic place to imbibe and feed the soul at Doncaster’s new string to its fashionable bow at Ms Jackson Restaurant & Bar on Doncaster Road. Nestled in this leafy elevated hamlet northeast of Melbourne, Ms Jackson offers private dining spaces for special celebrations along with a lovely lit courtyard for balmy alfresco days.

 

Settle into a velvet Chesterfield chair indoors and peruse a menu dishing up small plates like kingfish, coriander, whipped coconut and chilli, along with beef short rib and pickled cucumber; vegetarians opt for saganaki, fig and truffle honey.

Explore award-winning wines that reflect the true nature of the region, showcasing quality fruit at its purest and most vibrant, at Knappstein Wines on Pioneer Avenue in Clare. Located in an historic building in the heart of the Clare Valley, the cellar door is a must-see when you visit the vineyard; formerly the original 19th Century Enterprise Brewery, wander inside and enjoy a tasting of premium range wines.

 

Built on a rich heritage, Knappstein is one of the most recognisable wineries in the region, producing drops such as the Sangiovese Rosé with vibrant aromas of red cherry and strawberry; ideally, pair this drop with a shared cheeseboard and lavash crackers.

Modern Japanese cuisine is what you’ll find on the menu at bistro GOEMON on Glen Huntley Road in Elsternwick. Discover a warm and welcoming vibe of dark wood furniture, softly glowing cane pendents and wall art to set the scene for memorable meals with a fusion twist.

 

Join a lively lunch crowd for salmon tataki, spring onion and sesame seeds, or soft-shell crab spring rolls and yuzu mayonnaise; evening diners can share a premium sushi or sashimi platter, moving onto mains such as grilled miso marinated cod and seasonal vegetables. 

Sip, share and indulge at The Peacock Den on Forest Road in The Basin and celebrate the sophisticated nature of this awe-inspiring bird in stylish surrounds. Creating an ideal vibe for wining and dining in Melbourne's outer East, inside is dominated by a huge stuffed peacock sitting proudly as the bar's centrepiece, mirrored in aqua and blue colour tones throughout. 

 

With plenty of cosy nooks to enjoy a romantic vino and shared plate with someone special or catch up for after-work drinks with friends; pull up a chair and delve into beef or zucchini sliders on a brioche bun, topped with herbs, mayo and relish.

Born of the love of wine, food and warm hospitality, Maeve Wine on Melbourne Street brings a taste of Europe to South Brisbane. The passion project of three friends, head upstairs to a versatile space to find bar seating along with dining room options in stylish surrounds of dark wooden table settings, large windows displaying city views and drop globe lighting.

 

 

Offering a European-inspired menu, devour share plates such as scallop crudo, sauce vierge and leek oil, or perhaps saison kangaroo salami and pickled fennel hits the mark; pasta lovers opt for duck lasagne, or gorgonzola and potato ravioli, pear, walnut and arugula pesto.

Embark on a regal Turkish journey at The Sultain’s Table on Enmore Road in Enmore. Since 2004, this vibrant eatery has been a beacon for authentic Turkish cuisine, inviting guests into a warm and exuberant setting; bask in the alfresco courtyard or opulent interior, adorned with cushioned seating.

 

Discover a sensory journey through Turkey with a menu embracing big flavours and fresh produce, carefully curated to take you to the bustling streets of Istanbul. Delight your palate with warm pides and specials such as Turkish-style ravioli, yoghurt and tomato sauce.