We are only one week away from saying farewell to 2024 and ushering in another year!
Not sure about you, but where did that 12 months go? If you do one thing before New Year, it should be to dine at a Chef-hatted restaurant for the ultimate culinary adventure. Here are five where you won’t be disappointed and your tastebuds will be tickled:
Modern Asian Fare with Flair
Showcasing a passion for modern Asian fare, Honeysuckle Restaurant on Ballinger Road in Buderim is the place to go for East Asian flavours, fused with Australian ingredients. This cosy restaurant, housed in a white-clad building with a stunning alfresco area ideal for soaking up Sunshine Coast sun, blends aqua-polished tiles with sleek white lines and cane pendent lighting to emulate a laid-back vibe.
From a menu designed for sharing, stop by for a yum cha lunch of fish dumplings, coconut and cucumber vinaigrette and chilli oil, while later diners delve into local octopus, congee, salted black bean, sweet corn and XO sauce; those with more ravenous appetites opt for char siu kangaroo, daikon cake, shishito pepper, blackberry jam and sides of steamed jasmine rice and wok-tossed Asian greens.
Fine Dining in a Relaxed Environment
Offering a majestic location with views over Balmoral Beach and across Sydney Harbour to Manly and North Head is Chef Hat-awarded Public Dining Room. Architecturally designed by Hecker & Guthrie, this fresh, modern venue on The Esplanade reflects fine dining in a relaxed beach-style atmosphere with stunning water vistas.
Dishing up a contemporary à la carte menu, featuring local ingredients and global culinary influences, start with the refreshing flavours of coral trout ceviche with zesty grapefruit, fragrant tarragon and crisp radish, topped with vibrant salmon roe for an added burst of richness; move on to mains such as dry-aged Black Angus rib eye on the bone with chimichurri and sides of roasted potatoes, burrata beets and heirloom zucchini.
Old Italy Roots with a Modern Twist
If cravings lean towards the true flavours of Italian cuisine, stop by Entrata on Glenhaven Road. This Glenhaven restaurant with bush views is all rustic charm with exposed coloured brick walls and dark wood furniture blending seamlessly with glowing pendent lights, to create a moody dining experience. Plating up fare from the roots of old Italy with a modern twist, expect seasonal dishes such as seared yellowfin tuna, pistachio, Sicilian green olives, lemon zest and oil and samphire.
Delve into memorable mains such as 24-hour slow-cooked lamb rump, served medium-rare with friarielli, pea sauce and red wine jus, or twirl your fork around pasta plates of linguine with prawns, zucchini cream, mint, garlic, salmon caviar and bottarga Mollica crumb; finish with a dolci of panna cotta and blueberry sauce, vanilla, caramel and malt crumb.
Watch the Chefs in Action
Situated in the heart of Melbourne City, Chef Hat-awarded Kenzan Japanese Restaurant is a destination for authentic Japanese dining. Since opening its doors in 1981, this oriental restaurant takes you away from the rush of Collins Street into a relaxed setting of mood lighting, wooden fixtures and warm neutral colours.
Encompassing a selection of fresh sushi, sashimi and traditional mains, Kenzan's menu highlights a diverse array of large and small options; choose from entrées like grilled ell and cucumber in sweet vinegar, while for the main affair, think pan-grilled chicken, teriyaki sauce and steamed rice; those looking for something lighter can sit at the bar over sushi and sashimi plates and watch the Chefs in action.
Local Catches Combined with Italian Culture
Discover Italian coastal dining on the Noosa River at Lucio’s Marina on Parkyn Court in Tewantin. In the business of feeding people for generations, hospitality truly does run through the veins of the Galletto family and this Sunshine Coast restaurant continues the traditions from Northern Italy, combining quality local catches with Italian culture.
Expect a vibe in keeping with the coastal lifestyle with white-clothed tables, cane pendents and sunset views as you indulge with starters such as raw tuna ribbons with crushed tomatoes, almond cream, olive and capers, or seared scallops, carrot, miso and nasturtium; mains like cap on lamb rump, white zucchini and mint purée, Brussels sprouts and pickled zucchini never disappoint.
