Let’s Meat at the Grill – 5 Restaurants for a Sizzling Good Meal

Spring has sprung and thoughts turn to lazy days and evenings alfresco as meat sizzle on the grill and a cold glass of wine or beer beckons.

Nothing says delicious more than the tantalising aromas of perfectly cooked meat, seafood and vegetables…here are five venues to celebrate Spring with family and friends over a grilled meal and a tipple:

A union of land and sea, where ocean meets pasture in elevated Australian dining, is what awaits guests at Marmor on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive in Townsville. Located on the top floor of the Ardo Hotel, expect to celebrate the country’s finest produce: prime cuts of beef from Australia’s most renowned cattle producers, abundant treasures fresh from the warm waters off the rugged coastline and the best seasonal ingredients the region has to offer.

 

Settle into elegant surrounds, browse the display of the finest cuts of meat, peruse the reserve wine collection in the wine cellar and watch the menu being brought to life in the kitchen by the talented team of Chefs. Start a memorable meal with grilled jumbo prawns and nduja butter, moving onto wood-fire grilled Cape Grim Porterhouse, with red wine jus, kipfler potatoes, roasted zucchini and Dutch carrots.

There’s a certain buzz in the air as soon as you enter Cubbyhouse restaurant and bar on Kyle Parade in Kyle Bay. Expect a warm welcome at this locally-loved Sydney dining destination, where great food with a touch of Mediterranean heritage is on the plate in rustic surrounds of recycled timber, trailing greenery and an open kitchen offering glimpses of the Chefs in action.

 

From a menu designed for sharing, must-have starters include kingfish carpaccio with chilli, garlic crisps, lemon zest, pomegranate, salmon roe, sesame, soy and olive oil; for the main, devour char-grilled T-bone with porcini mushroom butter, truffle jus and sides of feta fries and Greek rustic salad – surf it up by adding creamy garlic prawns.

For a classic dining experience in the heart of Hobart, take to Astor Grill on Macquarie Street. Retaining ageless Art Deco style with a modern touch, this refined establishment combines white-clothed tables and dark timber fittings to create a setting that is both warm and welcoming. Sourcing most ingredients from local wholesalers and distributors, Astor’s focus on fresh sustainable produce is showcased in a Modern Australian menu, partnered with an impressive wine list.

 

Try Wagyu, bocconcini and cheddar arancini to start, moving on to steak Astor – grilled aged prime eye fillet, roaring 40s blue cheese sauce, cheese crumbs, olive oil dressed steamed greens, mustard, horseradish and choice of sauce – or twice-cooked duck breast, port and cherry sauce, broccoli and apple purée, grilled parsnip and potato fondant. 

Be transported to the sands and waves of the Aegean at Mythos Gr Gyros Bar on Eaton Mall in Oakleigh’s famous Greek dining precinct. Whitewashed walls accented with azure blue and apricot mosaic tiles, recycled timber and bench seating hold the promise of Greek fare just like Yia-yia makes; settle in with an icy Mythos beer to peruse a menu offering choices from gyros, skewers and kebabs to lamb cutlets and pork ribs.

 

Embark on your adventure with grilled octopus and fava dip, or King prawns and Romesco sauce; then salivate over chicken, pork and lamb skewers, tzatziki and pita bread, or share an Aegean platter for two – grilled King prawns, fish, scallops, calamari, octopus, soft-shell crab, gauros, fresh oysters, salad, fruit, fries and condiments on the side.

Named after the azure colour of the Turkish seas, Newtown restaurant Turkuaz on Enmore Road brings the taste of Turkish cuisine to Sydneysiders. This stylish Enmore dining destination presents the colour of flavour in stunning surrounds of exposed brick, colourful Turkish pendent lights, vibrant images of the home country on the walls and delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen.

 

On balmy evenings sit alfresco and watch the world pass by while sipping a chilled glass of wine and graze on entrées such as pan-fried garlic prawns, topped with parsley and served with housemade bread. For the main, delve into charcoal-grilled lamb skewers with lavash bread, mozzarella, tomato sauce, garlic yoghurt and burnt butter; or sirloin slices with butter, herbs, smoked eggplant, almond and currant rice.